Former NC State running back Matt Dayes has been signed by the San Francisco 49ers to their Practice Squad.
The San Francisco 49ers announced on Tuesday that they have released DB Dexter McCoil and WR Frank Stephens from the team’s practice squad and signed RB Matthew Dayes, OL Najee Toran and DB Tyvis Powell to the practice squad.
Dayes (5-9, 205) was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round (252nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Last season with Cleveland, he appeared in 16 games and registered five carries for 13 yards along with four receptions for 29 yards. He also added 18 kickoff returns for 437 yards (24.3 average) and eight tackles on special teams. Dayes was waived by the team on September 2, 2018
A 24-year-old native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Dayes attended North Carolina State University where finished his career ranked fourth all-time in school history with 2,856 career rushing yards and third all-time with 34 career rushing touchdowns. As a senior in 2016, he played in all 13 games and finished third in the ACC with 1,166 rushing yards on 249 carries along with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Since being released by the Browns, Dayes worked out for the Lions, and most recently the Jaguars and the 49ers, ultimately finding a home on the west coast.
Each NFL team is only allowed to keep 10 players on their practice squad, and they each make $7,600 weekly this season.
Dayes is now the only former NC State Football player on an NFL Practice Squad. Safety Jack Tocho was cut from the Vikings practice team in September, and has since tried out for the Texans and Lions, but hasn’t found a new home yet. Tight End David Grinnage was recently called up by the Jaguars from the practice squad to the big league.
He will have a friend in former NC State defensive end Kentavius Street, who is currently on the injured reserve.