Duquesne wide receiver Cyrus Holder, who was a two-time All-Northeast Conference selection after transferring from Saint Francis (Pa.), has signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears.
Holder (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) played three seasons for Saint Francis and two with Duquesne. He totaled 122 receptions for 2,270 yards and 22 touchdowns in 40 games (25 at Saint Francis, 15 at Duquesne). His 18.6 career yards-per-catch average is 11th on all NCAA levels and sixth among FCS schools.
While leading the NEC in receiving yards in the 2020-21 and 2021 seasons, he recorded three 100-yard games vs. Bryant (103), CCSU (114) and Wagner (125).
At Duquesne, he made 60 catches for 1,120 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons.
A total of 45 Dukes have played in the NFL, 35 who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers between 1937 and 1951. Holder and teammate Jake Dixon, who signed a free agent deal with the Steelers on Saturday, are attempting to join former Duquesne linebacker Christian Kuntz on an NFL roster. Kuntz was the Steelers’ long snapper in 2021.
Also, former Duquesne safety Leandro DeBrito has been invited to the Steelers’ rookie minicamp May 12-15.
