NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State All-American free safety Terrell Whitehead (Virginia Beach, Va.) and All-MEAC receiver Chris Bell (Norfolk, Va.) signed free-agent NFL contracts over the weekend.
 
Whitehead, NSU's first-ever three-time Division I FCS All-American, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bell inked a deal with the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.

In Jacksonville, Whitehead will be reunited with former NSU teammate Don Carey. Carey was a sixth-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns last year, but was subsequently cut by Cleveland. The Jaguars claimed Carey off waivers, and after spending the year on injured reserve, Carey has two years remaining on his three-year deal with the team. That pair will also be teammates of NFL All-Pro cornerback Rashean Mathis, a former Division I FCS All-American who starred at Bethune-Cookman while NSU head coach Pete Adrian was the Wildcats' defensive coordinator.

Whitehead tied for the MEAC lead with five interceptions last season, helping NSU rank sixth in the nation in total defense. He capped his stellar career by being named a first-team All-American by The Sports Network, the Associated Press, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Whitehead was also named to the SBN Sports Black College All-American team.

Bell was a first-team All-MEAC selection in his only year in a Spartan uniform. He ranked 13th in the nation in receiving yards, at 87.2 per game. Bell's 13 touchdowns, all through the air, led all MEAC players, regardless of position. Bell, a Penn State transfer who redshirted the 2008 season while at NSU, decided to forgo his final season of eligibility to turn pro.