Saturday, April 27, 2013
by Marist Athletic Media Relations

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Marist's Michael Rios has signed a rookie free-agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Rios is the first Marist football player to sign a contract with a National Football League team. Last year, Jaquan Bryant and Kevin Fitzpatrick participated in NFL Rookie Minicamps with the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills, respectively.

Rios also drew attention from his hometown Miami Dolphins following the conclusion of the NFL Draft on Saturday evening.

“I chose Arizona because I wanted to learn from Larry Fitzgerald and I feel that their offense fits my skill set," Rios said. "Arizona had the most interest in me. I believe I can step in right away and make a difference.”

Rios is Marist's all-time leader in career touchdown receptions with 17. This past season, he set single-game (244) and single-season (1,173) program records for receiving yards, as well as the single-season record for touchdown receptions (10). He became the first player in program history to record 200 yards receiving in a game this past season, a feat he accomplished twice. Rios also was on the receiving end of the longest play in program history in 2012, when he and Chuckie Looney connected on a 97-yard touchdown pass at Valparaiso.

Rios is also an accomplished special teams player. He blocked seven kicks in his career, including five field goals, a punt and an extra point. In his first three collegiate games in 2008, he blocked a punt, extra point and field goal in successive weeks. He also blocked three kicks in 2010, including two field goals in the same game. In addition to seeing time on various kick-blocking units, he also served as the gunner in punt coverage through this season.

Rios appeared in 44 collegiate games from 2008-12. He successfully rebounded from an injury which limited his 2011 season to two games by starting all 11 games this past season.