FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 27, 2020) – Following the 2020 NFL Draft this past weekend, a pair of Northern Arizona football players signed free agent contracts in their first steps toward a professional career. Quarterback
Case Cookus signed with the New York Giants, while defensive back
Khalil Dorsey signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Cookus, the Walter Payton Award runner-up, was at the helm of the top passing offense in the country in 2019 – his final season in the Blue & Gold. He led the country with 4,114 passing yards and 34.28 passing yards per game in addition to ranking in the top 10 in the FCS in total offense per game (344.4) and passing touchdowns (31).
The gunslinger from Thousand Oaks, Calif. set single-season program records for passing yards (4,114), completions (290) and total offense (4,133) last season. He concluded his career as NAU's all-time leader in passing yards (12,082), total offense (12,314), passing touchdowns (105), 300-yard games (20) and 400-yard games (5) and ranks second in completions (892) and third in completion percentage (62.3).
Dorsey, a four-time All-Big Sky selection, posted his second consecutive All-Big Sky First Team campaign in his final season. The Ontario, Calif. native was fourth on the team with 68 tackles and his 52 solo stops ranked second on the team. He finished the 2019 season with a career-high 12 passes defended, which tied for second in the conference.
Dorsey, who was also a two-sport star on the NAU track & field team, started 40 of 44 career games and totaled 197 total tackles and eight interceptions. He also notched 41 pass breakups, 8.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.
Cookus and Dorsey will aim to join wide receiver
Emmanuel Butler (New Orleans Saints) as former Lumberjacks currently on NFL rosters.
