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At least one more Georgia Southern Eagles standout will get a shot at the NFL thanks to a late signing by the Chicago Bears.
Wide receiver/kick returner Derek Keaton was thrown a lifeline by the Bears Monday afternoon, which is welcome news for Eagle Nation.
#Bears signed Georgia Southern WR/KR Derek Keaton to a contract as a UDFA. He received a $3K signing bonus.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) May 2, 2016
Congrats to @derek_keaton1 on signing with the @ChicagoBears! Another Eagle onto the next level! Congrats Derek! pic.twitter.com/yjr73jXAaA
— #GATALifestyle (@gatafblifestyle) May 2, 2016
Keaton averaged 26.5 yards per kick return and 15.3 yards per punt return last season and his official 40 time is 4.55 seconds. He also caught six passes for 49 yards and one touchdown as a receiver and was named All Sun Belt First Team as a specialist.
While some GS fans may remember an unfortunate fumble in the Georgia game, Keaton was a big part of the Eagles' special teams unit over the last two seasons. This is great news not only for the player, but for the program.
He becomes the 16th UDFA signing for Chicago and will need to work hard to find a place on the roster. But he's at least earned one paycheck from the NFL and may be able to earn his way to several more.
He joins Antwione Williams, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions, and Antonio Glover, who signed as an UDFA with the Denver Broncos, as this year's NFL hopefuls from Georgia Southern.