Seventeen recently departed Miami Hurricanes will be heading to NFL minicamps this weekend, eight of them as free agents.

A day after the NFL Draft concluded, the eight UM players who didn't get selected were either finalizing plans to sign as free agents or already had signed.

Former University of Miami offensive guard Tyler McMeans said Monday he would sign a three-year deal as a free agent with the Chicago Bears.

''I'm really excited,'' McMeans said. ``Honestly, I was ranked as a free agent, so I pretty much knew it was coming.''

Offensive guard Tony Tella said he had been offered a free agent contract with the Giants and would join fellow Giants free agent defensive end Thomas Carroll and second-rounder Sinorice Moss.

''I'm really happy about my opportunity,'' Tella said. ``They're giving me a chance, so I feel blessed.''

When reached by phone Monday, Carroll said, ''Things happen for a reason,'' and he was just glad to have a chance to play for a team close to home.

''During the middle of the seventh round, the Giants called me and said if I don't get picked up in the draft, they wanted to sign me,'' said Carroll, whose home is in Lakewood, N.J. ``Within about an hour after the draft, I worked out the deal. Now I get to come back and play close to home. I'm very happy.''

Former University of Miami safety Greg Threat, who led the Hurricanes in tackles in 2004, his junior season, has signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons.

Defensive end Javon Nanton said he has been offered a free agent contract by Oakland, and will be heading to the West Coast on Wednesday. He said he also got offers from Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit and the Giants.

And defensive back Tanard Davis said he signed a three-year deal Monday afternoon with the Indianapolis Colts.

''I didn't get too many opportunities at UM, but the Colts saw something in me on pro day. So now my goal is to make the team,'' Davis said. ``I'll take it day by day.''

Also heading to the NFL as free agents: fullback Quadtrine Hill to Houston and tight end Buck Ortega to the Redskins.