DAVIS, Calif. – Two Aggies agreed to terms immediately following the 2022 National Football League Draft. UC Davis will be represented by punter Daniel Whelan and defensive lineman Bryce Rodgers at their respective rookie mini camps. Whelan signed with the New Orleans Saints while Rodgers will look to impress with the Atlanta Falcons.

Whelan was named a HERO Sports FCS All-American and a Stats Perform FCS All-American this past season. The 6-6 Enniskerry, Wicklow, Ireland native, finished his collegiate career as arguably the greatest punter in Aggie history, averaging a school record 44.01 yards per punt for his career and a single season record 46.25 in 2021. He had at least one punt of 60 yards or more in seven games this past season and had 21 of 50 or more. Whelan also handled kickoff duties with 37 of his 68 going for touchbacks. He was named a FCS Punter of the Year Semifinalist and a second-team All-Big Sky selection. 

At the conclusion of the 2021 spring season, Whelan garnered first team All-America honors by four organizations Stats Perform, AFCA, HERO Sports and Phil Steele and was a finalist for FCS Punter of the Year after punting 17 times for 815 yards for a 47.9 average, tops among the Big Sky en route to earning All-Big Sky first team honors. In 2019, Whelan was named to the All-Big Sky third team and nabbed honorable mention accolades in 2018.  

A mainstay on UC Davis' defensive line, Rodgers was a model of consistency in leading the Aggies' push into the backfield each week in 2021. He led UC Davis in quarterback hurries with eight and added eight tackles for losses, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. For his effort in the 2021 campaign the East Palo Alto, Calif., native was tabbed to the All-Big Sky second team.

Rodgers led all Aggie defensive linemen with 18 tackles (8 solos, 10 assists) while adding 2.0 TFLs (both sacks), two QB hurries, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick in the 2021 spring season. In 2019, the 6-3 lineman was named All-Big Sky honorable mention after starting all 12 games at defensive tackle. He ranked fifth on the team and tops among defensive linemen with 49 tackles (35 solos, 14 assists). Rodgers also had 6.0 TFLs, including 4.0 sacks for 20 yards and added a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and team-leading seven hurries