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Jalen Williams makes a catch during UMass football's game against South Carolina on Oct. 22, 2016. (DAVE ROBACK/THE REPUBLICAN)
Jalen Williams has latched on with an organization that knows a thing or two about undrafted UMass wide receivers.
Williams signed a rookie free agent contract with the New York Giants, and is the second former Minuteman to land a free agent deal following the 2017 NFL Draft, joining converted fullback and Springfield native John Robinson-Woodgett (New Orleans Saints).
Safety Khary Bailey-Smith will try out with the San Francisco 49ers, while former offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson reportedly scored a tryout with the Oakland Raiders at the teams rooki mini-camp next week.
The Giants are adept at turning undrafted rookies into significant contributors, starting, of course, with former UMass receiver Victor Cruz. Last year, Giants receiver Roger Lewis appeared in 13 games after signing a UDFA deal, while rookie defensive end Romeo Okwara played in all 16 games, making 25 tackles.
New York did not draft a wide receiver this year, but reportedly signed rookies Travis Rudolph (Florida State) and Keeon Johnson (Virginia), as well.
Last season was Williams' most productive during his UMass tenure, even despite a nagging ankle injury. He caught 27 passes for 520 yards (averaging 19.3 yards per catch) and six scores. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver missed all 2015 with a leg injury, and caught 20 passes for 307 yards playing opposite of Tajae Sharpe in 2014 -- Williams' first season with the program.
Williams was also arrested in 2015 and charged with breaking and entering a vehicle and larceny of under $250. Williams said at the time he was innocent, saying he fit the description of another person the police were looking for, and those charges were later dropped after he completed probation.
He briefly made national noise following this catch in September, too.
Williams also reportedly worked out for the 49ers, where Bailey-Smith will try out, prior to the draft. At 6-foot-2 safety prospect, Bailey-Smith reportedly garnered interest from the Chiefs and Raiders in the pre-draft process, and took part in the NFL Regional Combine held in Washington.
Wilkinson has intriguing size for an offensive lineman -- he's 6-foot-5, 329 pounds -- and started at right tackle for parts of each of the last three seasons.
A pair of American International College prospects also received tryout offers. Safety Daquan Holmes will work out with the Packers, while defensive back Mike Ford will join the Chiefs mini-camp rookie roster.