Matt Lentz may be making the transition from the maize and blue to Big Blue.
In a telephone conversation May 1, Lentz, a Brandon High School graduate and former offensive lineman with the University of Michigan football team, said he will be signing a free agent contract with the National Football League’s New York Giants.
Lentz, a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection who started for three seasons at right guard for the Wolverines, was not selected in the NFL Draft April 29-30. The following day (May 1) was the first day undrafted players could begin negotiating with NFL teams.
A spokesman for the Giants said the team could not comment on incoming rookie free agents until they officially sign their contracts on Friday, May 12.
However, the Michigan athletics Web site, mgoblue.com, listed Lentz as one of five Wolverines to agree to rookie free agent contracts with NFL teams.
Lentz said although there were ‘a few other teams? interested in signing him, the Giants were the team ‘selling me the best? on signing with them.
He also said he has spoken with Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty and a few other representatives with the Giants organization. ‘They have a good team and they showed a lot of interest,? he said. ‘They said they really like my character and work ethic, and the way I carried myself.?
Lentz said the Giants expect him to report to the team May 12 for the start of minicamp.
Last season, the Giants went 11-5 and won the NFC East division before losing to the Carolina Panthers in a wild-card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 8.
Lentz will be joining a team with several state of Michigan connections.
The Giants? roster on the team’s Web site, giants.com, lists three former U-M players (placekicker Jay Feely, wide receiver Amani Toomer and defensive back Brandon Williams) and one former Michigan State University player (wide receiver Plaxico Burress).
In addition, current Giants linebackers coach Bill Sheridan was a former U-M defensive assistant coach for three seasons (one season as linebackers coach and two as defensive line coach) before being hired onto the Giants? staff for the 2006 season.