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After a tryout with the Miami Dolphins last week, Rupert Bryan signed with the team. Bryan, who was an offensive lineman at FIU, will compete at fullback with Jorvorskie Lane. Ironically, Bryan and Lane have met before on a football field when FIU played at Texas A&M in 2010. Lane played for the Aggies.
Bryan began training as a fullback shortly after his final season at FIU last fall. Bryan had never played fullback or any offensive skill position before, but had a nice showing at FIU Pro Day in March when he caught four of five passes thrown his way during drills in front of NFL scouts. The Dolphins were well-represented at FIU Pro Day with six scouts and Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland in attendance.
Bryan showed his pass catching skills in the Don Shula Bowl last season at FAU Stadium when he caught a five-yard touchdown pass (photos above and below). Bryan becomes third former FIU Panther to sign with the Dolphins following the late Chandler Williams and Andy Leavine.
With Bryan’s signing that brings the total number of FIU players currently in the NFL to 7: Antwan Barnes (New York Jets), Anthony Gaitor (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts), Johnathan Cyprien (Jacksonville Jaguars), Tourek Williams (San Diego Chargers), Caylin Hauptmann (Cleveland Browns) and Junior Mertile (New York Giants).
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