Damarius Bilbo is an American sports agent and former professional football player. He played college football at Georgia Tech as a quarterback and wide receiver.

Damarius Bilbo
refer to caption
Bilbo in 2021
No. 19, 20
Position:Wide receiver / Quarterback / Safety
Personal information
Born:Moss Point, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:Moss Point
College:Georgia Tech
Undrafted:2006
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Early life

edit

Bilbo attended Moss Point High School and was a three year letterman and All-American in American football and baseball. In football, he was named the Dick Butkus Football Network National High School Player of the Year (after beating out Cedric Benson, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals), Mississippi Player of the Year by USA Today and Gatorade. Seen by most sports writers as the best "true quarterback" in the state of Mississippi since Steve McNair and Brett Favre. In baseball, he garnered ALL-American honors and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2001 Major League Baseball drafted as a pitcher and center field after being clocked with a 96 mph fastball.

College career

edit

He had a medical redshirt in 2001 (broken thumb) after what looked to be a promising freshman year, and played backup quarterback in 2002. Bilbo did see extensive playing time in the second half of the Silicon Valley Football Classic (bowl) in relief of starter A.J. Suggs. He contended for the starting job during fall camp in 2003 was moved from the position by Coach Chan Gailey after what Gailey called "a great spring." Eventually 4yr starter Reggie Ball moved into the position. Bilbo was later relegated to wide receiver, leaving school that same summer to play baseball,[1][2] but later returned and found success at that position, starting all 12 games his senior season opposite Calvin Johnson making them one of the top receiving duos in college football. He was invited to the Hula Bowl all-star game in Hawaii. Bilbo graduated in 2005 with a degree in management information technology and industrial design.

Professional career

edit

Bilbo was undrafted in the 2006 NFL draft, but was signed as a free-agent by the Arizona Cardinals. He was released by the Cardinals in preseason, but immediately signed by the Dallas Cowboys. He was cut from the active roster but signed to the practice squad. He helped the Cowboys prepare for their week 4 meeting with the Tennessee Titans by simulating Vince Young in practice and also Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb respectively. He was cut from the squad in mid-October in favor of ex-Seattle Seahawks Jerheme Urban after injuring the finger on his throwing hand. He was re-signed to the Cowboys in November and coach Bill Parcells called him "a very promising player" and had plans of moving him to safety because of his athletic ability and smarts.

Post-playing career

edit

After his playing career ended, Bilbo became an agent by representing Jarvis Landry, Melvin Gordon and Alvin Kamara.[3][4] In 2019, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group hired Bilbo, expanding the company's clientele into NFL sports.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ Heerji, Asif (October 7, 2005). "ramblin' with Damarius Bilbo". The Technique. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  2. ^ Peck, Ryan (August 29, 2003). "Bilbo faces new challenges, position for 2003 season". The Technique. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved February 26, 2007.
  3. ^ Kezele, Sarah (August 1, 2019). "VIDEO: Chargers RB Melvin Gordon's agent requests trade". USA Today. For The Win. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Skipper, Clay (January 14, 2020). "Meet the Super-Agent Who Rich Paul's Betting on to Take Over the NFL". GQ. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
edit