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St. Rita, Purdue Alum Bruce Gaston Heads to Arizona as Free Agent

 St. Rita graduate Bruce Gaston signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals.
Bruce Gaston
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ASHBURN — Bruce Gaston didn't start until the seventh game of his junior season at St. Rita High School.

Now, the former Mustangs and Purdue University standout defensive tackle is heading to the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals over the weekend.

"I feel like this is where I wanted to end up, and I'm here because of my hard work," Gaston said late Monday from Arizona. "And I'm going to stay here because of the work I'm going to put in."

St. Rita coach Todd Kuska wasn't surprised Gaston, who was considered a possible late-round draft pick, was picked up by the Cardinals as a free agent.

"I knew since his junior year that he was a very special player and that he possessed the size, speed and athleticism that they looked for in the NFL," Kuska said of the 6-foot-2, 316-pound Gaston. "He began to use technique, along with his size and strength — that is what made him special that year.

 Kawann Short (93) is congratulated by Bruce Gaston (90), both of the Purdue Boilermakers, after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Oct. 20, 2012, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Kawann Short (93) is congratulated by Bruce Gaston (90), both of the Purdue Boilermakers, after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Oct. 20, 2012, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
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Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

"I believe he will be successful because of his desire to succeed," Kuska added. "Bruce has the physical tools to succeed, but he also has the determination to play at the highest level."

Gaston, a West Pullman native, said being bypassed in the draft is going to be a huge motivating factor as his NFL career begins.

"Of course I was disappointed not getting drafted," he said. "It was a great disappointment, but now I have a chip on my shoulder — a huge chip. I'm going to use it every day for motivation. It will fuel my drive and hunger to be even more successful."

Gaston had 99 tackles and 16 sacks as a St. Rita senior. At Purdue, he played in 50 career games and led the Boilermakers with three sacks last year.

Kuska said Gaston's top attributes are his size and strength. He also ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in March.

"He is very hard to move and is extremely quick for a man of his size," Kuska said of Gaston, whose nickname is "Bnasty".

Gaston's speed has been evident since his days at St. Rita. During Gaston's senior year, he won the 100-yard dash against most of the Mustangs' football team during St. Rita's "team overnight" program, Kuska said.

Gaston arrived in Arizona on Sunday and spent most of Monday in team meetings.

"It's really beautiful here," Gaston said. "Now I'm focused on getting down to business."

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