HAMPTON, Va. – Former Hampton University running back Steven Robinson and defensive back Ricardo Silva have signed free agent contracts with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions, respectively, both teams announced on Thursday.

Robinson (Buford, Ga.) was second on the team in rushing this past season, carrying the ball 85 times for 404 yards and a team-high five touchdowns. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry and 36.7 rushing yards per game. Robinson rushed for a season-high 86 yards on 17 carries at Howard, while adding 84 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns against Bethune-Cookman.

He also caught 11 passes for 94 yards last season.

Robinson, who transferred to Hampton in 2009 from Georgia Military College, rushed for 914 yards on 177 carries (5.2 yards per carry) with nine touchdowns in his two seasons with the Pirates. He rushed for a career-best 150 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries against Florida A&M in 2009.

Silva (Baltimore, Md.) was a First Team All-MEAC selection this past season, finished the season fifth on the team in tackles with 74 (including 34 solo stops). He tied for fifth in the MEAC with a team-high four interceptions this past season, including a 68-yard return for a touchdown at North Carolina Central, and Silva was also ninth in the MEAC with 10 passes defended.

A transfer from Bowie State, Silva totaled 140 tackles and six interceptions in two seasons with the Pirates. Following his performance at North Carolina Central this past season, Silva was named MEAC and Sports Network FCS Defensive Player of the Week.

So far, four Pirates have been picked up by NFL teams; defensive end Kenrick Ellis was taken in the third round of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets back in April, while the Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive end/linebacker Brandon Peguese to a free agent deal on Tuesday.

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.