Former Hillsborough star Fayson signs with Saints

Posted Aug 2, 2011 by Bill Ward

Updated Aug 2, 2011 at 11:37 AM

Former Tampa Tribune all-county football player Jarred Fayson of Hillsborough has taken a big stride toward his goal of playing in the NFL by signing as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints.

Fayson, a star quarterback at Hillsborough who ran for 76 touchdowns during his prep career and threw for another 20, signed as a wide receiver with the New Orleans Saints. The wide out spot is the position he played at Florida and, after transferring, at Illinois.

The receiving statistics he compiled in college hasn’t caused NFL scouts to beat a path to his door, but they have been impressed with recent performances the 6-foot, 207-pound Fayson turned in at workouts. Those stats include a 40-yard dash time of 4.36 seconds, a 39-inch vertical leap, a score of 3.98 in “pro agility” drills, a standing broad jump of 10 feet, 8.5 inches and benching 225 pounds 21 times.

Fayson has been training locally with speed, agility and strength coach Josh Cooper.

Another local product, O. J. Murdock of Middleton, recently signed with the Tennessee Titans. He was a two-sport star for the Tigers, playing wide receiver and winning state sprint crowns in track. He also signed as un undrafted free agent but Sunday in training camp, suffered an apparent Achilles injury. No word on just how serious the injury is.