April 27, 2009

MEMPHIS, TENN. - University of Memphis offensive lineman Brandon Pearce has signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals as officially announced by the team today.

Pearce played four seasons with the Tigers and logged 45 consecutive starts in the offensive line. He has been part of an offensive line that has ranked in the top 25 nationally in sack denial the last four straight seasons. Memphis led Conference USA in sack denial from 2005-07, and was second in 2008 after giving up just 17 sacks in 13 games.

A native Memphian, Pearce started all 13 games last season at right tackle and saw action on 92 percent of Memphis' offensive plays. He was selected to the Conference USA first team and was selected as co-Offensive Lineman of the Year at the team banquet. Pearce served as a team captain in 2008 as voted on by his teammates and opened the season on the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. His accolades extend into the classroom as he was a semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy, which is referred to as the "Academic Heisman." In addition, he was a second-team pick on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District squad and was selected to the C-USA All-Academic Football Team. He earned his bachelor's degree in English literature last May and was working towards a master's degree during his final season of eligibility.

Pearce travels to Arizona on Thursday as the Cardinals' minicamp runs May 1-3. Also leaving for camp this week is defensive lineman Clinton McDonald, who was drafted in the seventh round by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals will hold their rookie camp May 1-3.