'84 Chronology-Express Opportunity

Event Date: February 13th, 1984

Event Description:  Express Sign Draft Picks

Source: United Press International

The Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League Monday signed three rookie offensive linemen labeled “three of the top 20 collegiate football players in America,” by a league official and also signed veteran NFL offensive lineman Jeff Hart.

“In all my days in professional football, I've never had an opportunity to announce the acquisition of four players of this ability at one time,” said club president Don Klosterman, who has 24 years of experience as a pro football executive.

Rookies signed by the Express were tackle Mark Adickes of Baylor, guard Gary Zimmerman of Oregon and Texas center Mike Ruether. Adickes was generally regarded as the premier offensive lineman in the Southwest Conference his senior seasson and he was the SWC's leading weightlifter with a bench press of 565 pounds.

Zimmerman was the winner of the 1983 Morris Trophy as the Pac-10's outstanding offensive lineman and Ruether was the Longhorns' starting center for the past two seasons.

“These are three of the top 20 collegiate football players in America,” said USFL Director of Opeartions Peter Hadhazy. “All three were generally regarded to be certain first-round NFL picks.”

Hart has played for San Francisco, New Orleans and Baltimore of the NFL and spent two seasons with Winnipeg of the Canadian Football League.

Story-(UPI)