The Bears on Thursday announced the signings of the following 13 undrafted rookie free agents:
Northern Illinois running back Joel Bouagnon (6-2, 228) - Watch Highlights
Rushed for 2,911 yards and 31 touchdowns on 600 carries in 45 games over four seasons. Added 44 receptions for 368 yards and three TDs. Rushed for at least 100 yards in nine games, all during his junior and senior seasons. Played on special teams throughout his college career, even as a senior starter. Was named first-team All-MAC as a junior and second-team All-MAC as a senior. Grew up in Aurora and attended Aurora Christian High School.
Old Dominion defensive tackle Rashaad Coward (6-6, 310)
Started all 13 games each of the last two seasons. Was named second-team All-USA a senior after recording 50 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks, and scoring a touchdown on a seven-yard fumble return in a win over Southern Mississippi. Was one of four team captains. In 47 career games, Coward compiled 136 tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks. Grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Twitter handle: @RashaadCoward.
Minnesota linebacker Hendrick Ekpe (6-5, 240)
Started last two seasons. Recorded 28 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 12 games last year. Native of Lewisville, Texas.
Wyoming receiver Tanner Gentry (6-2, 210)
Had 180 receptions for 2,815 yards and 20 touchdowns in 42 games over four seasons. After catching 39, 32 and 37 passes his first three years, he had a breakout senior year with 72 receptions for 1,326 yards and 14 TDs. Finished career with seven catches for 113 yards and 2 TDs in loss to BYU in Poinsettia Bowl. Twitter handle is @Tanner4Gentry.
Ball State tight end Franko House (6-6, 248)
Played basketball for four seasons at Ball State. Averaged 13.4 points and 6.4 rebounds last year as a senior. Hasn't played football since he lined up at tight end for Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana.
San Jose State linebacker Isaiah Irving (6-3, 241)
Appeared in 47 games with 37 starts over five seasons at defensive line and outside linebacker. Was named honorable mention All-Mountain West last year after establishing career highs with 45 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks. Was born in Oakland, but played high school football in Houston. Returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl all-star game.
Florida International tackle Dieugot Joseph (6-6, 300)
Arrived at FIU as a defensive tackle, moved to offensive tackle during spring practice as a redshirt freshman in 2013. Started 10 games at left tackle as a sophomore before being limited by injuries as a junior. Rebounded last season to start all 12 games and earn Conference-USA honorable mention recognition. Blocked for FIU's all-time leading rusher (Alex Gardner) and school's career leader in TD passes (Alex McGough). Twitter handle is @DJoseph78.
James Madison tackle Mitchell Kirsch (6-6, 300)
Three-year starter at James Madison. Earned FCS first-team All-American honors after starting all 12 games at right tackle as a senior. Was part of an offense that set school and conference single-season records in scoring (700 points), rushing offense (4,125 yards), total offense (7,612 yards) and first downs (380). Was named second-team All-American as a junior and second-team All-CAA as a sophomore. Grew up in Washington DC. Twitter handle is @mitchell_kirsch.
Utah kicker Andy Phillips (5-10, 210)
Four-time All-Pac 12 selection and four-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist. Set school career records for field goals made (84), field goals attempted (100), points scored (427) and points per game (8.4). Last year made 21-of-25 field-goal attempts (84 percent). Was a member of the U.S. Ski team as an alpine racer from 2007-11. Served a church mission in Norway before attending Utah. Owns a Master's degree, is married with two children, and is 27 years old. Twitter handle: @AndyDPhillips.
Coastal Carolina linebacker Alex Scearce (6-3, 220)
Played in 45 games with 33 starts over four seasons, recording 212 tackles, 18.5 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks. All eight sacks came last year when he was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award as FCS defensive player of the year. Was named conference defensive player of the year and first-team all-conference. Also last year had five interceptions and was responsible for five defensive TDs; he returned two picks and one fumble for scores and two of his forced fumbles were brought back for TDs. Twitter handle is @alex_scearce45.
Oklahoma State receiver Jhajuan Seales (6-1, 205)
Had 112 receptions for 1,785 yards and 12 touchdowns in 43 games over four seasons at Oklahoma State. Set career highs in yards (615) and TDs (4) on 37 catches last year as a senior. Ran a 4.4 in the 40 and had a 41.5-inch vertical jump at school's Pro Day. Has experience as a returner and gunner on special teams. Twitter handle is @Jseales_OSU81.
Florida State fullback Freddie Stevenson (6-1, 241)
Considered one of top fullbacks in draft. Blocked for Dalvin Cook, Florida State's all-time leading rusher. Had 25 career carries for 132 yards and five touchdowns. Caught 19 passes for 160 yards and 2 TDs. Moved from linebacker to fullback when he arrived at Florida State. Played in Senior Bowl on South team. Twitter handle is @strugglemade105.
Florida State receiver Levonte Whitfield (5-8, 182)
Had 102 receptions for 1,338 yards and seven touchdowns in 39 games over three seasons at Florida State. Best year came in 2015 when he caught 57 passes for 798 yards and 6 TDs. Also averaged 22.9 yards on 77 career kickoff returns. Twitter handle is @CoolAhhKermit.
