Former Bears headed north for pro careers

A pair of former University of Central Arkansas football standouts will extend their playing careers to the professional level as wide receiver Aaron Fairooz and cornerback/return specialist Tristan Jackson have signed on with Canadian Football League franchises.

The 6-foot-6, 215-lb. Fairooz, who concluded his All-America career with the Bears in 2006 as the school's all-time leader in receiving yards (2,797), signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Jackson a 5-foot-8, 185-pound defensive back who was an All-American at punt returner recently finalized his deal with the Edmonton Eskimos.

"I'm extremely pleased for both of these young men," said UCA head coach Clint Conque. "They were both All-American players in our program and are recent college graduates. We are quite confident that both will do very well in the CFL and represent UCA with a lot of class. The pro game in Canada sets up nicely for both players with the expanded field. Both of these guys will have a tremendous opportunity to showcase their skills and athleticism."

The CFL playing field is 110 yards between the end zones, 10 yards longer than American fields, and the end zones are twice as deep at 20 yards. The field is also 65 yards wide, compared to 53 1/3 for its American counterpart.

Fairooz and Jackson join a handful of other former Bears who have found homes in the professional ranks in the NFL and AFL in recent years.

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"We feel that, like having a player selected in the NFL Draft last year and sending four guys to NFL camp a year ago, this sends a very strong statement about the quality of our program and its ability to help young people develop," Conque said. "It helps send the message that at the University of Central Arkansas, not only will you grow within the structure of our program and graduate with a degree, but that doors can open for you professionally as well."