Germantown Products Expected to Sign NFL Contracts

Northwest graduate Joe Lefeged and Seneca Valley graduate Andre Smith will sign rookie, free-agent contracts with NFL teams, after being overlooked in April’s NFL Draft.

The Germantown athletes are among those who have joined NFL rosters, following the four-and-a-half month labor dispute between owners and players that plagued much of the NFL offseason and left teams around the league scurrying to sign undrafted rookies to help build their rosters.

Lefeged is expected to sign with the Indianapolis Colts. Smith said he looks forward to playing with the Chicago Bears. Patch spoke with Smith via cell phone from the airport, where he was waiting for a flight to Chicago.

“It’s a legendary organization,” said Smith, a former Virginia Tech tight end. “They’ve got a great tradition there in Chicago.”

Lefeged, a former Rutgers safety, trained with NFL players such as San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Moise Fokou  — in addition to commuting to New Jersey once a week to complete the requirements to earn his bachelor’s degree.

“He was able to finish his classes and earn his degree,” said John Vassos, Lefeged’s godfather.

Lefeged said in a tweet Monday night that he was headed for "Indy" and also gave a special shout-out to his former teammates at Northwest.

“I’m so proud of him,” said Ronda Lefeged, Joe’s mother.

Both players are expected to join their new teams at training camp this week.