ORONO, Maine -- As the National Football League (NFL) begins to welcome back its players and open training camps across the nation, three Black Bears are prepared to battle for roster spots with a pair of organizations for the 2020 NFL campaign.

Fourth-year pro Pat Ricard (Baltimore Ravens), third-year offensive lineman Jamil Demby (LA Rams) and rookie Earnest Edwards (LA Rams) are the three Black Bears to watch as NFL camps open.

Ricard, fresh off a Pro Bowl season, inked a two-year contract extension in December of 2019 and will look to build off his impressive campaign from a year ago. In 2019, Ricard, a two-way player for the Ravens, appeared in 16 games with seven starts while registering career-highs in both receptions (7) and receiving yards (47) to go along with one touchdown reception while also serving as a weapon in Baltimore's dynamic run-game. Defensively, Ricard added a sack and a forced fumble while notching a career-best nine tackles.

Demby, who was a member of LA's Super Bowl runner-up squad two seasons ago, appeared in six games in 2019 with one start along the Rams' offensive line. Demby is joined this season on the Rams by Edwards. An All-American and All-CAA selection in 2019, Edwards completed his Black Bear career as one of Maine's all-time leading receivers while snatching numerous kick return records. The dynamic Edwards, who earned the CAA's Special Teams Player of the Year accolade, will compete for a spot on the Rams' squad for the 2020 year.

NFL organizations will select their 53 player active roster and determine the 12 who will serve on their practice squad in time for the regular season, which begins on Sept. 10.

-UMaine-