Former Lumberjack Gerard Signed to Practice Squad by Ravens

BLOG UPDATE: K.J. Gerard was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on Sunday, securing a job in the NFL as the an undrafted free agent. He is the fourth NAU player since 2000 to earn a job in the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

ORIGINAL POST: Former Lumberjack K.J. Gerard cut off his dreadlocks Monday. Unfortunately it was not the only thing cut this week.

Gerard did not survive the final cuts by the Baltimore Ravens Saturday to make the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Arizona. Gerard will look to land with another team or get a chance via the eight-man practice squad with the Ravens or another NFL team.

Based on the buzz Gerard created in Ravens camp, look for him to find a job playing professional football. Gerard is looking to become the fourth former NAU player to make team or practice after signing as a free agent.

Gerard was a two-time All-America selection. He earned All-America First-Team honors from the Associated Press, College Sporting News, The Sports Network and the Walter Camp Foundation in 2008, while finishing as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award given to the best defensive player at the FCS level.

Former Lumberjack Keith O’Neil is one of the recent success stories for the Lumberjacks in the NFL. He made the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent and played in the Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts.

Gerard holds the NAU school record for interceptions with 19, tied for the fifth-best total in Big Sky history. He finished his career ranked tied for first in interceptions among active career leaders in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and Division I overall with 19. In 2008, he was fifth on the team in tackles with 47 with a team-best 38 solos. The Fountain Valley, Calif., native recorded five interceptions to rank second in the Big Sky Conference and tied for 17th nationally (0.45 per game). He also had a team-best nine pass deflections, eight tackles for loss and a forced fumble and blocked kick.

“Baltimore seemed like the best place for me,” said Gerard on the day he signed. “They have a really good defense. It feels good but at the same time I just have my foot in the door. I still have to go out there and make a name for myself.”

And he has made a name for himself during training camp. Now he just has to find a job.

NAU Free Agent Signees Since 2000

Preston Parsons, Arizona Cardinals, 2002

Robert Haws, Arizona Cardinals, 2002

Keith O’Neil, Dallas Cowboys, 2003

Mark Gould, New York Giants, 2004

Jeremy Thornburg, Philadelphia Eagles, 2005

Roger Robinson, Arizona Cardinal, 2005

K.J. Gerard, Baltimore Ravens, 2008

By Steven Shaff, NAU Media Relations