Pro football: Lely's Octavien signed to Redskins practice squad

NAPLES — Lely High School graduate Steve Octavien has been signed to the Washington Redskins' practice squad.

Octavien, who will wear No. 56, was signed just after the NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, then was among the final roster cuts. He has not been with a team since then.

Octavien, who turns 24 on Tuesday, led Nebraska in tackles as a senior last year.

A two-year letterman for the Huskers in 2006 and 2007, Octavien appeared in 22 games with 10 starts during his career. He had 128 tackles, and 21 tackles for loss with three sacks. He also had 11 quarterback hurries and five pass breakups while causing one fumble.

Members of the practice squad do not suit up for games. Octavien replaces another linebacker, Curtis Gatewood, who was signed to the Chiefs' active roster.

At Lely, in addition to being a standout football player on the varsity for three seasons, Octavien won the state discus title as a junior in 2002, and was second as a senior.

Octavien originally signed with Illinois, then attended William Rainey Harper College (Ill.) for two years before going to Nebraska.