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Chip Trayanum (1) was one of three Rockets who signed NFL free agent contracts on Saturday.
Photo by: Daniel Miller/University of Toledo
Three Rockets Sign as Free Agents With NFL Teams
4/26/2026 8:56:00 AM | Football
Chip Trayanum, Avery Smith and Anthony Dunn Jr. ink deals
TOLEDO, Ohio - Three Toledo Rockets signed free agent contracts with NFL teams late on Saturday. Cornerback Avery Smith (LA Chargers), defensive end Anthony Dunn Jr. (Kansas City Chiefs) and running back Chip Trayanum (NY Jets) all inked deals with their respective teams.
The three signees join teammates Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Cleveland Browns) and Andre Fuller (Seattle Seahawks), who were drafted in the second and seventh rounds, respectively, as 2026 NFL prospects.
Smith was a two-time Second-Team All-MAC selection with 100 tackles, three interceptions and 25 pass breakups over the past two seasons. He was second in the MAC in passes defended in 2024 (16) and third last season (12). Smith saw his professional prospects rise with an impressive performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 27.
Dunn played in 25 games in two seasons for the Rockets, recording 57 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. He began his career at Florida A&M, where he was named First-Team All-SWAC in 2023.
Trayanum was a First-Team All-MAC selection in 2025. He rushed for a team-high 1,015 yards and 12 TDs while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Trayanum, who was second in MAC in rushing yards per game (92.3), added 21 receptions out of the backfield. He played at Arizona State, Ohio State and Kentucky before joining the Rockets in 2025. He rushed for 2,273 yards and 25 touchdowns in six seasons as a collegian.
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The three signees join teammates Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Cleveland Browns) and Andre Fuller (Seattle Seahawks), who were drafted in the second and seventh rounds, respectively, as 2026 NFL prospects.
Smith was a two-time Second-Team All-MAC selection with 100 tackles, three interceptions and 25 pass breakups over the past two seasons. He was second in the MAC in passes defended in 2024 (16) and third last season (12). Smith saw his professional prospects rise with an impressive performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 27.
Dunn played in 25 games in two seasons for the Rockets, recording 57 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. He began his career at Florida A&M, where he was named First-Team All-SWAC in 2023.
Trayanum was a First-Team All-MAC selection in 2025. He rushed for a team-high 1,015 yards and 12 TDs while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Trayanum, who was second in MAC in rushing yards per game (92.3), added 21 receptions out of the backfield. He played at Arizona State, Ohio State and Kentucky before joining the Rockets in 2025. He rushed for 2,273 yards and 25 touchdowns in six seasons as a collegian.
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