May 31, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former University of Kentucky football tight end Nick Melillo, who had an impressive senior season for the Wildcats, has signed a non-drafted free agent deal with the National Football League’s New England Patriots.
 
Melillo joins a seven other Wildcats that entered the NFL this season, including Winston Guy and Danny Trevathan, who were drafted in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Seattle and Denver, respectively. Anthony Mosley (San Francisco), Matt Roark (New England), Ronnie Sneed (Detriot), Ryan Tydlacka (Philadelphia) and Chandler Burden (Tennessee) all signed non-drafted free agent deals. Melillo joins Roark, defensive tackle Myron Pryor and quarterback Mike Hartline on the Patriot roster.
 
The native of Louisville, Ky., had a solid senior season for the Wildcats, catching 17 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown. Melillo became a key part of the offense late in the season, catching 13 of his 17 balls in the last five games, while his lone touchdown came against Vanderbilt. Melillo, who is known as a good blocking tight end, finished fourth on the team in receiving last season. The Trinity High School product finished his career having played in 32 games with 12 starts.

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