The
free-agent signings are coming fast and furious.

Just
moments after former Kentucky wide receiver Chris Matthews announced he was joining the
Cleveland Browns, former running back Derrick Locke and defensive tackle Ricky
Lumpkin have announced that they’ve found teams as well.

Locke
posted a picture on his Facebook account that indicates he will sign with the
Minnesota Vikings while Lumpkin tweeted that he’s headed west to the Arizona
Cardinals.

Locke
led Kentucky in rushing the last two seasons despite a series of injuries. The
5-foot-9, 190-pound tailback ran for 919 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games
as a senior.

Concern
over a shoulder stinger/spine injury he suffered midway through the year led teams to pass over him on draft day. If Locke can prove he’s
healthy, he could be one of the steals of the 2011 NFL season. Several
publications have him listed as the top undrafted free agent, including Sports
Illustrated.

The
Vikings went 6-10 last season and have plenty of good running back depth with
Adrian Peterson (283 carries for 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns) and Toby
Gerhart (81 attempts for 322 yards and one touchdown), but Locke figures to get
a look on special teams as returner.

Lumpkin
appeared in 13 games for the Wildcats as a senior, totaling 21 tackles,
including 5.5 for a loss. The 6-foot-4, 306-pound defensive tackle from
Clarksville, Tenn., will join former UK running back and undrafted signee
Alfonso Smith on a 5-11 Arizona team.