Following the NFL Draft there were a handful of Penn State players waiting by their phones. Ryan Bates was projected to be chosen but the draft came and went without his name being called. Bates signed a free agent contract with Philadelphia.
Jonathan Thomas, a special teams hero, signed with Cincinnati. Thomas did not get many opportunities outside of special teams, but his athleticism will give him a shot to make a roster. At least for now, he remains a football player, and now he is one that receives a paycheck.