While a South Carolina State player went unselected in this year's NFL draft, linebacker Joe Thomas and safety Kimario McFadden received invitations to attend (National Football League) NFL rookie camps.

Both were key starters from this past season's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title team received calls Saturday. Thomas, the 2013 MEAC and SBN Sports Defensive Player of the Year, signed a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers, while McFadden accepted a contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

A native of Blackville, Thomas recorded 116 tackles, including 84 solo stops during the 2013 season. He also totaled 7.5 sacks, five pass break-ups, five quarterback hurries, one interception, one forced fumbled and one fumble recovery and started three seasons.

As for McFadden, he started at safety the past two seasons. which advanced to the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. He earned second team all-MEAC honors after recording 75 tackles, including nine tackles for loss. He also had 2.5 sacks and an interception.

In his first season for the Bulldogs in 2012, McFadden had 54 tackles with two interceptions, a sack and eight pass breakups. Prior to the draft, he attended workouts with the Falcons and Kansas City.