May 3, 2010

DAVIS, Calif. - Former UC Davis wide receiver Bakari Grant signed a two-year free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday after participating in the team's rookie mini-camp over the weekend, joining teammate Tommy Hernandez with contracts in an NFL camp after the standout lineman signed last week with the Minnesota Vikings.

Additionally, All-America linebacker Mike Morales participated in a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks at their weekend mini-camp.

The three UC Davis standouts are the first Aggies to get an opportunity this spring in furthering their football career.

Grant, from Oakland who earned All-Great West Conference honors three times, capped his collegiate career last fall by grabbing 45 catches for 594 yards - both second-best on the team - while tying for the team lead in touchdowns with five. He had 61 catches for 720 yards as a junior, highlighting his career with a 39-yard TD grab from Greg Denham on the game's final play during a miraculous 34-30 win over Northern Colorado.

Hernandez, a 6-foot-2, 283-pound center from Chino Hills, Calif., was a stalwart on the offensive line for the Aggies, ending his career with 23 consecutive starts. His standout play brought him All-America honors from the Sports Network in 2008 in addition to a pair of All-Great West Conference first-team selections. He was an all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore.

Morales earned distinction this season as one of the top linebackers in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). He was named to the prestigious Associated Press All-America team after being selected the Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He finished this year with a team-high 81 tackles while intercepting three passes.

The current Aggie football team continues its spring drills this week, culminating in its annual Spring Game on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Aggie Stadium.