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The University of Utah Athletics
Five Utes Signed As Free Agents On Day Following Draft
4/23/2002 12:00 AM | Football
April 23, 2002
SALT LAKE CITY -
On the first day following the completion of the 2002 NFL draft, five Utes were snapped up as free agents. Signing free agent contracts on April 22 were offensive tackle Doug Kaufusi (San Diego), defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu (Baltimore), defensive back Yohance Scott (Baltimore), running back Dameon Hunter (Baltimore) and running back Adam Tate (Jacksonville).
They join draft picks Cliff Russell (third-round pick of Washington) and offensive guard Ed Ta'amu fourth-round of Minnesota) in Utah's 2002 NFL class.
Russell's signing marks the third time in the last four years a Ute receiver has been drafted in the top three rounds. Kevin Dyson was a first-round pick of Tennessee in 1998 and Steve Smith was a third-round pick of Carolina in 2001.
Kaufusi, a 6-6, 300-pound offensive tackle, was a two-time first-team all-Mountain West selection. He was a 2001 third-team All-American by The Sporting News. Kaufusi started all four years at Utah and averagd 10.1 de-cleaters per game as a senior.
Kemoeatu, a 6-5, 315-pound defensive tackle, was a two-time honorable mention all-conference selection. He started his last three years.
Scott played two years at cornerback for Utah after transferring from Eastern Arizona Junior College. A good cover man, Scott started as a senior last year and led the team with six pass breakups.
Hunter, 5-11, 223 pounds, is a big back in the mold of current Ute NFL runners Jamal Anderson and Mike Anderson. Voted the Las Vegas Bowl MVP and second-team all-MWC, Hunter averaged 126.9 yards per game during the regular season and rushed for 94 yards in the Las Vegas Bowl. He was twice named MWC Offensive Player of the Week. He rushed for 1,396 yards, had 257 carries (126.9 ypg, 5.4 yards per carry) and eight 100-yard games, all ranking second all-time in Utah's single season record books. He had a career-high 226 yards vs. Air Force.
Tate, 6-1, 230, was second-team all-conference as a junior and honorable mention last fall. He rushed 160 times for 819 yards (74.5 ypg, 5.1 ypc) as a senior. He led all rushers in the Las Vegas Bowl with 103 yards and a TD. He rushed for 12 touchdowns in 2001, which is tied for the second-most ever in a season at Utah. He had a career-best 146 yards vs. San Diego State in 2001.
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