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Another member of the vaunted 2016 Colorado Buffaloes secondary has signed an NFL contract. On Friday, Afolabi Laguda (2015-17) signed with the Atlanta Falcons to a two-year deal that will see him play safety and special teams.
TRANSACTION: We have signed S Afolabi Laguda to a two-year deal.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 12, 2019
Welcome to the Brotherhood, @FizzyFo1!
- https://t.co/0Ou4ZnAv2b pic.twitter.com/cOg3fHUO55
Laguda was undrafted in 2018. He spent the 2018 season with the Los Angeles Rams, but never saw action and was eventually placed on the injured reserved list. Laguda is likely a depth piece for the Falcons, as he can play either safety spot and will certainly be a force on special teams as a good athlete and hard hitter.
Fo will join former teammate in the Falcons secondary. Oliver was a second round pick by Atlanta and ended up starting a few games in his rookie season; he’s expected to develop and contribute in a big way now and in the future. Laguda and Oliver will also be one of five members of the 2016 Colorado secondary that is now in the NFL. Laguda started with Chidobe Awuzie (Cowboys), Tedric Thompson (Seahawks) and Ahkello Witherspoon (49ers), plus Oliver as a third cornerback.
In addition to those five Buffs, Ken Crawley (Saints) and Jimmy Smith (Ravens) round out a formidable allotment of defensive backs in the NFL. There could be more considering Evan Worthington is a potential draft pick and Ryan Moeller, also on the 2016 team, impressed enough in the now defunct AAF that he deserves a shot at the NFL.
Congrats, Fo!