BEREA — The Browns added a pair of Ohio State safeties among the signing of nine undrafted free agents announced Friday as the three-day rookie minicamp began.
Ronnie Hickman (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) and Tanner McCalister (5-11, 191) played in Columbus and will try to earn a spot with the Browns.
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Hickman started 26 games for the Buckeyes, totaling 158 tackles, a sack, three interceptions, seven passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He was a second-team All-American in 2022. McCalister played at Ohio State in 2022 after transferring from Oklahoma State. He started 12 games for the Buckeyes with 24 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.
The Browns also signed a running back, tight end, two defensive ends, two linebackers and a cornerback.
Cam Mitchell’s breakout vs. Ohio State was sign of things to come
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (6-4, 225) played 49 games between Florida (2019-21) and Utah (2022), posting 234 tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, an interception and two pass breakups.
Georgia Tech running back Hassan Hall, who transferred from Louisville, totaled 1,820 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his college career. He added two kickoff return touchdowns.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s competitiveness, toughness on full display when he hurdles defenders
Cornerback Caleb Biggers (5-10, 202) finished his career at Boise State after starting at Bowling Green.
The other signees were Albany tight end Thomas Greaney, Washington defensive end Jeremiah Martin, Kansas defensive end Lonnie Phelps and Georgia Tech linebacker Charlie Thomas III. Phelps is from Cincinnati.
DONE DEALS
Five draft picks signed their four-year rookie contracts before the start of camp: defensive tackle Siaki Ika, defensive end Isaiah McGuire, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, cornerback Cameron Mitchell and center Luke Wypler.
Ika was a third-round pick, McGuire a fourth-rounder, Thompson-Robinson and Mitchell fifth-rounders and Wypler a sixth-rounder.
Remaining unsigned are third-round receiver Cedric Tillman and fourth-round tackle Dawand Jones.
