• Additional pro football coverage
  

MACOMB, Ill.  -  Former Western Illinois University running back Herb Donaldson will sign a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints this afternoon.

Donaldson, who led all of Division I in both rushing (162.2 ypg) and scoring (12.0 ppg) last season, was expecting to be a late-round draft selection over the weekend. Instead, he had to wait for the phone to ring Sunday night after the draft. Several teams contacted Donaldson, who decided on the Saints.

“I hadn’t heard from New Orleans at all leading up to the draft,” said Donaldson. “I am just happy to have an opportunity at the next level and New Orleans looks like they offer the best opportunity for me.”

Nine running backs were selected in the sixth and seventh rounds, including FCS backs Reshad Jennings (Liberty) and Javarris Williams (Tennessee State) in the seventh round.

Donaldson will report to the Saints’ mini-camp next weekend. He will either join or replace Aaron Stecker, another former high-profile Leatherneck running back, New Orleans. Stecker, a 10-year NFL veteran, is currently a free agent after his one-year deal with the Saints expired this spring. He had been with the Saints for five years and was placed on injured reserve in November. Stecker and Donaldson rank first or second in five rushing categories of the Leatherneck record books.