8/8/2019 Dumas strikes gold, signs with 49ers

1/1

Ipage 24. April 20, 1 999 . Specrator

Softballteambattleslocalfoespage 22

By Christopher TraySPORTS EDITOROn Monday. former Edinboro

University football standoutJames Dumas signed a free-agent contract with the SanFrancisco 49ers of the NFL.The 5'10" 185-pound juniorcornerback from Westerville,Ohio, declared himself early forthe NFL draft, despite havingone year of eligibility stillremaining here at the Boro.Dumas spent two of his threecollegiate years playing footballin the Bay Area, matriculatinsfrom the City College of SaiFrancisco before makins hisfinal stop here in Eric Criunry.During his tcnure at the juniorcollege, Dumas earned firstteam National Junior ColleseAthletic Associarion (NJCA;)All-American honors.As a Fighting Scot, Dumaswas named first team all-pSACthis past season. Making anappearance in each of the

Ilortl's ll regular seasoncontests, the star cornerbackrecordcd 44 tackres, oneinterception, and a teanr-leadingeight pass break-ups. He alsotied for the team lead in fumblerecoveries posting three.One of Dumas' best ouringscame against Division IInational power Carson-Newmanin the second week of theseason.Behind the play of Dumasand the offensive prowess ofGerald Thompson, the Scotswould scorch its way to a 4l-2Ahalftime lead only to see it

evaporate in the second half.Although the Eagles wouldpulf out the eventual win 45-44,Dumas would still stand stronsfor the Scots on defenselrecording a team-high sixtackles and also oneinterception.A number of teanrs wererumored as being intcrestcd inattaining the services of Dumas.Yet, the Fighting Scot alumnus

felt that San Frarrr.is, , \\.r., lr\best option."It boiled ciown t, t l.r 11 , ,, 1 , r ,teams that r.',ere rcirllt rur.r{'.ti'(lin me," rciated I)urrr.r,, )r,ulFrancisco was tlr,. lrt.,,lopportunity. Their tu,',t,utr,l,cornerbacks tl'onr l;r.,t \'( .u .u (.now in Cleveland itrr.1 1;,111.one crtrnclback rr, lr,. .,,r\\playing tirne last y(..u .rrrrlanother who was a tookrr. .r yr.:rrago. Thc,y also rlr;rllt.tl orrt.cornerback this ycrrr 'l lrrrt 'sonly three cornerbirr.ks on llrt.roster. I feel that !'ivr.s rrrr rrgood chance t