Browns News: Marcus Santos-Silva, Former Texas Tech Forward, Signs Contract as TE

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVMay 2, 2022

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Marcus Santos-Silva #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns announced Monday they signed former Texas Tech basketball player Marcus Santos-Silva.

Santos-Silva averaged 7.6 points and 5.9 rebounds between his five years with the Red Raiders and VCU.

B/R Gridiron @brgridiron
The Cleveland Browns have signed Texas Tech forward Marcus Santos-Silva<br><br>Santos-Silva played two seasons with the Red Raiders and helped TTU to back-to-back March Madness appearances <a href="https://t.co/NVzNIoHfMj">pic.twitter.com/NVzNIoHfMj</a>

The 6'7" forward will have quite the adjustment. According to the Akron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich, he hasn't played organized football since the start of high school.

Antonio Gates remains the gold standard for collegiate basketball players looking to ply their trade in the NFL. Despite not playing a single down in college, he went on to be one of the greatest tight ends of his generation.

Considering he'll turn 25 in June, Santos-Silva is a little older than most incoming rookies, and that won't do him many favors given his road ahead. Gates, by comparison, was 23 in his first year.

Perhaps Santos-Silva can carve out a role as a backup tight end behind David Njoku and Harrison Bryant on the depth chart.

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