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Record Seven Bulls From 2013 Senior Class Headed to NFL Mini Camps
5/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – Not only was it an historic day for Khalil Mack and the University at Buffalo football program at the NFL Draft last Thursday as the All-American linebacker was picked fifth overall by the Oakland Raiders, but a half dozen other former UB football players also got exciting phone calls over the weekend. Six former Bulls either signed undrafted free agent contracts or earned NFL tryouts.
Alex Neutz was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals and Derek Brim and Colby Way have agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills. Branden Oliver, Jasen Carlson and Najja Johnson earned tryouts with the Colts, Bears and Steelers, respectively.
Neutz was the Bulls' top receiver in 2013 with 61 catches for 1,024 yards. He became just the second player in school history to have 1,000 receiving yards in two different seasons (he had 1,015 in 2012). He ranked third in the MAC in receiving touchdowns with 12 and had a TD catch in 10 of the 13 games in 2013. His 31 career receiving touchdowns are a school record and he ranks third in school history in both career receptions (195) and career receiving yards (3,094). He was a two-time All-MAC selection, including a spot on the first team in 2013.
Brim originally came to UB as a walk-on wide receiver. By the time his career ended, he blossomed into one of the best safeties in the MAC. In 2013, the hard-hitting Brim had 58 tackles, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He totaled 105 tackles in his two seasons as starting safety.
Oliver is UB's all-time leading rusher with 4,049 career rushing yards. He became just the 13th player in Mid-American Conference history to rush for over 4,000 yards. His 1,535 yards in 2013 broke his own school record for rushing yards in a single season. He had 20 career 100-yard games – seven more than any other player in school history and his 33 career rushing touchdowns were second all time at UB. Oliver was named to the All-MAC First Team in 2011 and 2013.
Carlson was a first-team All-MAC guard in 2013, capping a stellar career. The Jamestown, NY native appeared in 30 games and started 11 over his career. His senior season was cut short by a leg injury that limited him to just six games. Carlson has worked hard at rehabbing his injury and is now 100 percent.
Johnson was also a first-team All-MAC performer in 2013. Originally a walk-on, Johnson became a consistent performer for the Bulls over his career. He had 39 or more tackles in each of the last three seasons. He finished his career with nine interceptions and was just one shy of the school record for career passes defended with 38.
Way is a three-time Academic All-MAC selection and he ranked second on the team in sacks with five and third on the team in tackles for loss with 8.5. He had 32 total tackles on the season. The State College, PA native had a career-best three sacks at Western Michigan on Oct. 12 en route to earning MAC Player of the Week honors. He finished his career ranked ninth in school history with 15 career sacks.
This list of seven will join six other Bulls that are currently on NFL rosters. James Starks is with Green Bay, Trevor Scott plays for the Bears, Josh Thomas is in Carolina, Steven Means and Jake Schum are with the Buccaneers and Naaman Roosevelt recently signed with the Lions.
