Feb. 16, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Former UNLV running back Frank "The Tank" Summers has signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Chargers, the NFL announced Wednesday.

Summers was drafted in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 with the 169th overall selection. He played in two games as a rookie fullback, starting one, before he was placed on injured reserve. He then spent the 2010 season on the Steelers' practice squad.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity here," Summers said via telephone between meetings at Chargers headquarters. "I learned so much in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are a great organization with a great staff and teammates and obviously we went to the Super Bowl this year. But I was really excited to find out San Diego was interested in signing me. They were one of the teams that scouted me out of college and it's a chance at a fresh start for my career. Getting back to my home state of California is a bonus too."

The graduate of Oakland's Skyline High School led the Rebels in rushing each of his two seasons on campus (1,668 total in 2007-08) after transferring from Laney College. Also an outstanding receiver out of the backfield, the fan favorite scored a combined 20 touchdowns as a Rebel (14 rushing and 6 receiving).