SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Even though it is not football season, Saturday turned out to be a day that will long be remembered by University of the Incarnate Word football coaches, players and fans.  Linebacker Myke Tavarres (Lake Oswego, OR/Lake Ridge HS) and tight end Cole Wick (Hallettsville/Sacred Heart Catholic HS) each signed free agent contracts in the National Football League.

A little after 7 p.m. both Tavarres and Wick signed contracts.  Tavarres signed with the Philadelphia Eagles while Wick signed with the Detroit Lions.  They are the first two Cardinals to sign NFL contracts in the program's history.  Tavarres measured in at 6-2, 230 pounds as a play-making outside linebacker while Wick grew into a 6-6, 255-pound pass-catching tight end.

Tavarres was a member of the UIW program for two years.  He had to sit out the 2014 season after transferring from University of Arkansas, but he made the most of his one year on the field.  He set school records for single season tackles, tackles for loss and sacks in 2015.  He was on the College Football Player Awards (CFPA) FCS Linebacker of the Year Award watch list and the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year watch list.  He was the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and earned first team all-conference honors.  He was also a three-time All-American as he was honored by STATS, the Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association.

Wick was a four-year member of the Cardinals and a three-year starter.  He was an honorable mention all-conference pick as a junior and earned first team honors in 2015.  He hauled in 30 catches for 364 yards and two touchdowns in his senior year and finished his career with 61 total receptions for 832 yards and five scores.

Tavarres and Wick led the Cardinals to a 6-5 record and a fourth place finish in the Southland Conference in 2015.
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