FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today the signing of second-round draft choice DB Tavon Wilson. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
In addition, the Patriots released first-year QB Mike Hartline.
Wilson, a defensive back from Illinois, was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 48th selection overall.
Wilson, 6-0. 205 pounds, was a three-year starter at Illinois, seeing action at both safety and cornerback. He played in 11 games as a true-freshman in 2008. Last season, he started in all 13 games with 12 at cornerback and one at safety and was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten after finishing with a career-high 81 total tackles.
Hartline, 23, was signed by the Patriots on Jan. 12, 2012 to a future contract. He was originally was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie free agent out of Kentucky on July 29, 2011. After being released by the Colts on Aug. 28, 2011, the 6-6, 210-pounder spent the first month of the season on the Indianapolis practice squad last year before being released and spending the rest of the year out of football.
