Chiefs rumors: Utah State DL Ricky Ali’ifua will sign rookie FA deal
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs apparently liked what they saw during rookie minicamp from Utah State defensive lineman Ricky Ali’ifua.
The Kansas City Chiefs have already announced the signing of 12 undrafted free agents, but that won’t stop them from adding at least one more, if Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star is correct. Paylor says the team will be signing Ricky Ali’ifua, a defensive lineman from Utah State, after seeing him perform at the team’s rookie minicamp over the weekend.
#Chiefs plan to sign rookie tryout DL Ricky Ali'ifua pending a physical, a source tells me.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) May 8, 2017
The Chiefs invited nearly 70 players to their rookie minicamp from Saturday to Monday, May 6-8, giving each prospect a chance to impress the team’s coaching staff and front office. Andy Reid mentioned USC offensive lineman Damien Mama by name at his press conference on Monday, and Mama was already signed to a deal after the draft.
Ali’ifua would be number 13 among undrafted free agents plus the six draft picks taken by the Chiefs in the 2017 NFL Draft, a total of 19 rookies to compete on the team’s final 90-man roster for training camp.
Ali’ifua was named Honorable Mention All-Moutain West last year for the Aggies. The 6’2, 280 lb. lineman had 29 total tackles, including 8 for a loss, and led the team with 3.5 sacks and 4 quarterback hurries.