Manheim Central grad Mike Byrne, a Division 1-AA All-American offensive tackle, was signed to a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins Sunday.
“Going into the draft Mike knew the Dolphins had shown the most interest and their offensive line coach [Mike Maser] was in daily contact with me,” Jim Ulrich, Byrne’s agent, told the News-Journal of Delaware Monday. ”He’s in a great position to make
the team. He’s so versatile, and the Cardinals loved him, too.”
Ulrich said Byrne may get a look at center, a position he played at Central and early in his college career. Delaware reached the Division 1-AA NCAA championship game last season. Its quarterback, Joe Flacco, was chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the NFL draft Saturday, with the 18th pick overall.
In 2003, Byrne was a member of Manheim Central’s state Class AAA champion team, and was named to the AAA all-state team.
At Miami Byrne will join college teammate Omar Cuff, a running back, and Lancaster-Lebanon League brethren Chad Henne, a quarterback from Wilson High School and the University of Michigan. Henne was chosen in the third round of the draft. Cuff, also represented by Ulrich, was a free-agent signee.
Bryne leaves for Florida Thursday. The Dolphins’ mini-camp begins next week.
