PEMBROKE – Former UNC Pembroke wide receive B.J. Bunn and offensive lineman Lawrence Keys have signed a free agent contract with the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul, the organization announced Tuesday. Both players will report to training camp on April 5.
 
The duo become the first players in program history to ink a deal with a professional team, although they join a short list of former UNCP players to see professional football opportunities. Former long snapper Mike Yerry was invited to training camp with the National Football League's (NFL) Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014, while defensive end Mike Keck participated in training camp with the NFL's Buffalo Bills in 2016.
 
The Philadelphia Soul has made five ArenaBowl appearance, including a victory over the San Jose Sabercats in their first appearance in 2008. Philadelphia captured both the 2016 and 2017 ArenaBowl titles as well. The club was established in 2004 when a group, led by Jon Bon Jovi, secured the rights to an AFL franchise in Philadelphia.
 
Bunn was a two-time all-American for the Braves from 2013-16 and holds eight school records, including career marks for receptions (237) and receiving yards (3,072). He finished his career in the Black & Gold with 26 touchdown receptions as well, and set a pair of single-season records as a senior after by hauling in 70 passes for 1,142 yards.
 
Keys (2013-16) was a regular starter for the Braves on the offensive line in each of his last three seasons in the Black & Gold, and was named an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) as a senior after paving the way for an offense that averaged nearly 400 yards of offense per game on the way to a second-round appearance in the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.