It didn't take Doug Legursky long to catch on with a National Football League team.
Only a couple of hours after the NFL Draft ended Sunday evening, the former Marshall University star said he plans to sign a three-year free agent deal with Pittsburgh today.
Marshall's Doug Legursky was signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers
"As of right now," Legursky said, "I'm a Steeler."
Terms of the contract were unavailable.
"We're still negotiating that," Legursky said. "Everything isn't set in stone yet. But it will be soon."
Neither Legursky nor former Thundering Herd teammate Bernard Morris was among the 252 selections in this weekend's NFL Draft.
Both were thought to be late-round possibilities.
"You never know what's going to happen in the NFL Draft," said Legursky, who will report to the Steelers' rookie mini-camp Friday in Pittsburgh. "Neither one of us went. I'm not surprised. But both of us could have went. And I wouldn't have been surprised by that either.
"If both of us get a free agent deal, then that's not bad.
"If that's all we have to worry about, then that's all right. I hope everything works out for Bernie. I wish him the best. I'm sure he'll land somewhere. He's a heck of a ballplayer."
Legursky, a 6-foot-3, 312-pound center who will move to guard in the pros, also spoke with Cleveland and New England.
His free agent deal with Pittsburgh - one of four teams that scouted Legursky at Marshall's Pro Day last month - ends a stressful stretch in his young life.
"We're all excited," said Legursky, also an aspiring long snapper who trained with former Marshall star and retired NFL standout Mike Bartrum to learn the necessary skills at that position. "But we're more relieved than anything. We know this is what it is and this is what we have to do. There aren't so many unknowns anymore. I'm just happy to get back to work.
"I think it's a good opportunity for me," he added. "I think I fit their system. They have tough, hard-nosed offensive linemen. We used to watch their game film from time to time, and I was always impressed with them and how good they were."
The Beckley native spent Sunday with his parents, Wayne and Lorrie Legursky, at their Beaver home.
"Playing in the NFL has always been his dream," his mother said. "To see it become a reality is amazing. It's totally a blessing. He has been so focused and so determined his whole life. I'm so proud of him."
Morris, a 6-3, 220-pound quarterback, couldn't be reached for comment. He didn't return multiple messages left on his cell phone.
"Nothing to report yet," said Andy Simms, an agent who is one of Morris' representatives.
Six centers and 13 quarterbacks were taken in this year's NFL Draft.
This year is only the second time this decade the Thundering Herd has failed to produce an NFL Draft pick. The other was 2006.
Marshall has had 24 NFL Draft picks in school history.
It didn't take Doug Legursky long to catch on with a National Football League team.
Only a couple of hours after the NFL Draft ended Sunday evening, the former Marshall University star said he plans to sign a three-year free agent deal with Pittsburgh today.
"As of right now," Legursky said, "I'm a Steeler."
Terms of the contract were unavailable.
"We're still negotiating that," Legursky said. "Everything isn't set in stone yet. But it will be soon."
Neither Legursky nor former Thundering Herd teammate Bernard Morris was among the 252 selections in this weekend's NFL Draft.
Both were thought to be late-round possibilities.
"You never know what's going to happen in the NFL Draft," said Legursky, who will report to the Steelers' rookie mini-camp Friday in Pittsburgh. "Neither one of us went. I'm not surprised. But both of us could have went. And I wouldn't have been surprised by that either.
"If both of us get a free agent deal, then that's not bad.
"If that's all we have to worry about, then that's all right. I hope everything works out for Bernie. I wish him the best. I'm sure he'll land somewhere. He's a heck of a ballplayer."
Legursky, a 6-foot-3, 312-pound center who will move to guard in the pros, also spoke with Cleveland and New England.
His free agent deal with Pittsburgh - one of four teams that scouted Legursky at Marshall's Pro Day last month - ends a stressful stretch in his young life.
"We're all excited," said Legursky, also an aspiring long snapper who trained with former Marshall star and retired NFL standout Mike Bartrum to learn the necessary skills at that position. "But we're more relieved than anything. We know this is what it is and this is what we have to do. There aren't so many unknowns anymore. I'm just happy to get back to work.
"I think it's a good opportunity for me," he added. "I think I fit their system. They have tough, hard-nosed offensive linemen. We used to watch their game film from time to time, and I was always impressed with them and how good they were."
The Beckley native spent Sunday with his parents, Wayne and Lorrie Legursky, at their Beaver home.
"Playing in the NFL has always been his dream," his mother said. "To see it become a reality is amazing. It's totally a blessing. He has been so focused and so determined his whole life. I'm so proud of him."
Morris, a 6-3, 220-pound quarterback, couldn't be reached for comment. He didn't return multiple messages left on his cell phone.
"Nothing to report yet," said Andy Simms, an agent who is one of Morris' representatives.
Six centers and 13 quarterbacks were taken in this year's NFL Draft.
This year is only the second time this decade the Thundering Herd has failed to produce an NFL Draft pick. The other was 2006.
Marshall has had 24 NFL Draft picks in school history.
