University of Houston Athletics
Former Cougars Sign Free Agent Deals
4/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 28, 2004
HOUSTON, Texas - Former University of Houston standouts Brandon Middleton and Jonathan Pritchett have signed free agent contracts to play in the NFL. Middleton, a wide receiver from Elsik High School in Houston, inked a deal with the Dallas Cowboys, while Pritchett, a tight end from Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
A First Team, All-Conference USA selection and honorable mention All-America as a senior last season, Middleton concluded his career with a banner senior season, one in which the big-play receiver led the Cougars with 1,250 yards and 14 touchdowns receiving on 55 receptions. For the third straight season Middleton averaged over 22.0 yards per catch, with the 2003 version of 22.7 ranking him fifth in the nation.
Middleton posted eight 100-yard receiving games this season, including five in Conference USA play. His 2003 total trailed only Pittsburgh?s Larry Fitzgerald's 10, and the eight 100-yard outputs are a new Conference USA season record.
Finishing his career with a consecutive reception streak of 40 games, Middleton lived up to his "Big Play Brandon" mantra, racking up 16 catches of at least 30 yards this season to run his career mark to 38 catches of the 30-yard-or-more variety.
With his 130 yards receiving in the road finale versus Louisville, Middleton topped the 1,000-yard receiving plateau for the first time and became only the seventh player in UH history to do so. His 1,250 yards receiving also is a C-USA record, surpassing the 1,209 set by Louisville's Arnold Jackson during the 1996 campaign.
Middleton finished his career with 2,873 yards receiving, second-best all-time behind Elmo Wright (1968-70) who holds the Houston receiving record with 3,347 yards. Middleton finished third all-time in touchdown catches with 24, and he moved past former teammate Brian Robinson (1999-2002, 135 catches) and into 10th place in receptions with 137. He also finished third all-time in all-purpose yardage with 4,104, trailing Ketric Sanford (1996-99, 5,817) and Chuck Weatherspoon (1987-90, 5,715).
As for Pritchett, he was a Third Team, All-Conference USA selection last season after recording career highs in receptions (17) and yards (161). Pritchett started five games in 2003 and played in 46 over four seasons. Pritchett missed the entire 2000-01 seasons recovering from leg and knee injuries suffered in fall camp each season. He was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA prior to the 2003 season.
Pritchett finished his career with 35 catches for 333 yards and one touchdown. His only career score came against Tulane in New Orleans last season.
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