The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed former Hofstra wide receiver Devale Ellis and two others, DE Val Barnaby and S Marcus Demps, to one-year deals following the team's rookie mini-camp. Contract terms were not disclosed.

Ellis, who was an Atlantic-10 second team selection and an All-Academic Team pick in 2005, led the Pride with 74 receptions for 943 yards and five touchdowns. He ranked second in the league in receptions, third in receiving yards and ninth in all-purpose yards (103.8 ypg). Ellis finished his career in third place on the Hofstra career reception list with 176 catches and seventh with 2,207 career yards.  He was named an I-AA Preseason All-American honorable mention by The Sports Network and a second team preseason All-American by Lindy's College Football Yearbook. Ellis broke the school record with 16 receptions for a career-best 225 yards at Massachusetts in 2004.

Ellis, Barnaby and Demps participated in this past weekend's rookie mini-camp as tryout players. Of the 48 players who took part in the Lions' rookie mini-camp, 28 were tryout players, seven were 2006 Detroit draft selections, eight were undrafted rookie free agents and five were veterans without an accrued season of free agency.

Ellis is the second former Pride player to sign a NFL free agent contract following defensive end Stephen Bowen, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys last week.

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