Just because Illinois Russ Weil will not be at rookie minicamp this weekend doesnt mean there will not be a fullback.
Indianas Josiah Sears has been invited as a tryout for the minicamp.
Sears, 6-0, 257 pounds, was one of the Hoosiers two captains last season. He played in 13 games last season, scoring six touchdowns.
Hes the second Hoosier to be coming in. Cornerback Leslie Majors, the Thornwood product, signed a free-agent deal. The Bears missed out on a third. They tried to woo IU long snapper Tim Bugg to show up on a tryout basis also, but hes chosen instead to make trips to Cincinnati and the New York Giants for tryouts instead.
The Bears also made overtures to Notre Dame long snapper J.J. Jansen, but he signed a free-agent deal in Green Bay where he has a shot at sticking. The prospect of being a camp snapper on a team with an 11-year veteran in Pat Mannelly just isnt that enticing. Mannelly is one of the best at his craft. But the club finally tracked one down in Iowa States Matt Purvis, and special teams coordinator Dave Toub likes to keep track of possible replacements in the event injuries arise.
