Patriots rookie linebacker Shawn Crable.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots signed third-round draft choice Shawn Crable and third-round draft choice Kevin O'Connell today. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed. Crable, a linebacker from Michigan, was selected with the 78th overall pick in April's draft. O'Connell, a quarterback from San Diego State, was selected with the 94th overall pick in the draft.
Crable, 23, played in 47 games with 20 starts for the University of Michigan over four seasons from 2004-07. The 6-foot-5-inch, 243-pound linebacker recorded 148 tackles (101 solo), tying for 10th on the Wolverines' all-time tackles list. He added 16 sacks and 43 tackles for losses, a total that ranked seventh in Michigan history. As a senior in 2007, Crable served as one of three team captains and set a school record with 28.5 tackles for losses, a total that ranked second in the nation. His 90 tackles as a senior were a career high and ranked second on the team.
O'Connell, 23, played in 40 games with 33 starts for San Diego State over four seasons from 2004-07. The 6-foot-5-inch, 225-pound quarterback completed 664-of-1,151 passes (57.7 percent) for 7,689 yards, 46 touchdowns and 34 interceptions in his college career. He also added 386 rushes for 1,312 yards and 19 touchdowns. His passing yardage total ranks third on the school's career list, while his touchdown total places fourth. O'Connell's 9,001 yards of total offense (7,689 passing yards and 1,312 rushing yards) rank second in school history. As a senior in 2007, he became the first player in Aztecs history to lead the team in rushing and passing in the same season, while setting a school record for quarterbacks with 11 rushing touchdowns.
