HUNTSVILLE — Yurik Bethune is getting his shot at playing in the NFL.

Bethune signed a free agent contract on Monday with the Atlanta Falcons.

As a senior this season, Bethune, a 6-foot-4 and 210-pound defensive end, was one of the top pass rushers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, leading Alabama A&M with 9.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, 50 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss.

Bethune was a first-team selection on the all-SWAC defense, and he was a BOXTOROW All-American.