JEFF REINHART | Sports WriterIn the post-NFL Draft mad dash to sign undrafted free agents late Saturday, a pair of former Lancaster-Lebanon League standouts received phone calls.
And they’re both tight ends.
Warwick grad Hayden Rucci, out of Wisconsin, and Hempfield grad David Martin-Robinson, out of Temple, quickly inked deals after the annual NFL Draft, which was conducted in Detroit.
Rucci signed with the Miami Dolphins; Martin-Robinson with the Tennessee Titans.
Rucci, a bruising 6-5, 225-pounder, will try to become the third generation NFL player from his family, joining his dad, Todd Rucci, who played offensive line for the New England Patriots from 1993-99, and his grandfather, former longtime F&M coach Tom Gilburg, who was a punter for the Baltimore Colts from 1961-65.
Rucci finished his career at Wisconsin with 17 catches for 200 yards with one TD grab for the Badgers. At Warwick, he was a three-time L-L League all-star, including first-team honors in his junior and senior seasons for the Warriors. Rucci hauled in 58 catches for 1,129 yards with 12 TD grabs in his prep career for Warwick.
Rucci’s younger brother, former Warwick all-star offensive lineman Nolan Rucci, transferred from Wisconsin to Penn State this offseason, and he’s set to begin his career with the Nittany Lions this fall.
Martin-Robinson, a 6-4, 255-pounder, played in parts of six seasons at Temple, including an extra year of COVID-19 eligibility. He was a wide receiver during his Hempfield days, and switched to tight end for the Owls. Martin-Robinson became just the third tight end in program history with 1,000-plus career receiving yards; he caught 94 passes for 1,177 yards with six TD grabs.
Martin-Robinson had 40 catches for 537 yards with four TD receptions in his final season with Temple this past fall. He was a multi-purpose threat during his Hempfield days; aside from his receiving duties, Martin-Robinson played some quarterback and running back for the Black Knights.
JOHN WALK | Sports Writer
MIKE GROSS | Sports Writer
