May 8, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB's Kyle Bissinger, one of four senior defensive ends on last season's Blazer football team, signed a free agent deal with the New England Patriots Tuesday.

Bissinger, who was one of seven free agents to sign with the Patriots on Tuesday, is listed as a linebacker on the Patriots' web site (www.patriots.com). He and the other six free agent signees will join the nine members of New England's 2007 draft class at a rookie mini-camp this weekend at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Bissinger, a 6-3, 255-pound native of Marietta, Ga. (North Cobb H.S.), came to UAB in 2002 as a quarterback. He was moved to linebacker the next spring during spring drills and remained on the defensive side throughout the remainder of his Blazers' career.

As a senior, he played in all 12 games and started the season opener at Oklahoma. He finished with 13 solo tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks.