CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals signed former Portsmouth High School and Penn State University standout Gerald Cadogan to their practice squad Tuesday to replace fullback Chris Pressley who was claimed last week by Tampa Bay.

The 6-5, 310-pound Cadogan was an undrafted free agent with Carolina and played in one preseason game for the Panthers before being waived Aug. 31. He played four seasons at Penn State and started every game his last two years, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior. Cadogan’s signing brings the Bengals practice squad to its full complement of eight players.

For Cadogan, it is a chance to play for the team he rooted for during his youth.

"It’s a dream come true," Cadogan said. "This is definitely a step in the right direction but this is not where I ultimately want it to end."

NFL practice squad players are signed to one-year contracts but like any NFL deal, the team can terminate the contract at any time. Cadogan did not discuss the financial terms of the deal. Practice squad players are on the team but do not play in games or travel to away games.

Scott Smith, Cadogan's agent and president of X-A-M Sports & Entertainment, said it was only a matter of time before a team recognized his client's talents.

"I would say that he certainly deserved it and it's certainly about time," said Smith, who noted Cadogan also tried out with the Seahawks and Jaguars. "He's had positive exposure with those teams and the feedback was all positive... For a guy like Gerald, he's certainly worthy of being on an NFL roster but it was just a matter of the pieces of the puzzle coming together for him."

Cadogan said he was in State College preparing for a workout on Monday when his agent called. He tried out for the Bengals at 8 a.m. on Tuesday and the contract was signed by noon.

Cadogan has had to prove himself time and time again throughout his football career and is excited about the chance to do it again just 100 miles northwest of home.

"Growing up this was my favorite team and it is a blessing to be here and I want to stay here," Cadogan said. "This is great. I've been learning through this whole process. God is a provider."

Cadogan was scheduled to report to Bengals' practice at 6:45 a.m. today in Cincinnati.

Also on Tuesday, the Bengals released offensive lineman Scott Kooistra, a seventh-round pick in 2003. He appeared in 82 games with Cincinnati, including two this season. He was inactive for the other five games.

JOHN STEGEMAN can be reached at jstegeman02@hotmail.com

PDT Contributor Matt Payton contributed to this story