Packers Announce Roster Moves<http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-press-release/article-1/Packers-sign-T-Jason-Spriggs-announce-roster-moves/45648708-675d-4f8d-b1b2-3a1ed6aa84d9>
GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The Green Bay Packers announced Monday afternoon that former Slippery Rock University standout and recent graduate Cory Tucker<http://rockathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9002> has been signed following last weekend’s rookie tryouts.
“All I ever wanted was a chance to prove myself,” said Tucker. “I am so thankful that the Packers gave me the opportunity to come in and try to earn a spot with their organization. It’s been an incredible ride so far and I can’t wait to keep working hard every single day up here.”
Tucker was one of four undrafted free agents that the Packers signed Monday following the rookie orientation. The team had a total of 27 players participate on a tryout basis over the weekend. Green Bay also announced the release of five players Monday.
“I can’t say anyone in our office is surprised,” said Slippery Rock head coach Shawn Lutz<http://rockathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=999>. “We all knew Cory was capable of going up there and holding his own and earning a spot. We are incredibly proud of his efforts and we know he will continue to keep working his tail off every day.”
Tucker becomes the second former Slippery Rock offensive lineman that will be on an official NFL 90-man roster during preseason and camp workouts, joining 2010 graduate Brandon Fusco, a starter for the Minnesota Vikings.
Tucker earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from Slippery Rock last weekend after concluding his football career at The Rock in stellar fashion last fall.
The South Park, Pennsylvania native helped lead one of the best offensive attacks among all NCAA Division II schools in 2015. The Rock finished the year with the highest scoring offense in the country, averaging 45.2 points per game. Slippery Rock had the most first downs (351) of any team in the nation, the fifth best total offense in the nation at 490.3 yards per game and the 12th best rushing offense at 257.7 yards per game. The Rock offense shattered multiple single-season school records this fall, including rushing yards (3,608), rushing attempts (741), rushing TDs (46), total offense (6,864), all-purpose yardage (8,599), scoring (633 points) and total TDs (87).
Tucker, at 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds, was a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year and was the highest vote getter among all offensive linemen. He finished third overall in the national voting for the award.
He was honored by six different organizations as an All-American following the 2015 season, including four that named him a first team All-American. Among those four were the AP Little All-America team and the American Football Coaches Association.
Tucker started 48 straight games at right tackle over the last four years at Slippery Rock, never missing a start after redshirting his first year on campus. The Packers will shift Tucker to the guard position at the NFL level and have assigned him No. 62.
The post Packers officially sign SRU’s Cory Tucker appeared first on Inside Butler County – Butler, PA.