Virginia’s Joey Blount, Ra’Shaun Henry sign NFL free-agent contracts

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Two Virginia football players signed as free agents with NFL clubs on Saturday after the league completed its annual draft.

Joey Blount, a staple in UVA’s secondary during his five-year career under Bronco Mendenhall, has signed a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile, wide receiver Ra’Shaun Henry, who played the last two seasons for UVA after transferring from St. Francis (Pa.), signed a free-agent deal with the Carolina Panthers.

According to Jordan Schultz of @thegamedaynfl, UVA running back Devin Darrington, who transferred to the Cavaliers from Harvard, has accepted a camp invite to the Kansas City Chiefs.

An unconfirmed report said that UVA defensive back DeVante Cross has either been invited to camp or has signed as a free agent with the Washington Commanders.

Henry appeared in 21 of the Cavaliers’ 22 games and started five. Last season, he finished with 603 receiving yards and three touchdowns, including a 179-yard effort against Louisville on nine catches.

Blount finished second on the team with 87 tackles, including 54 unassisted, seventh-highest among ACC defenders and the most of all defensive backs. He had nine interceptions during his UVA career, along with 21 passes defended.