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May 1, 2006
OXFORD, Ohio -- Following the completion of the 2006 National Football League draft yesterday evening, five members of Miami University football's prolific senior class have agreed to rookie free agent contracts with NFL franchises, joining fifth-round draft choice Terna Nande (Grand Rapids, Mich.), who was selected yesterday by the Tennessee Titans.
Agreeing to rookie contracts were quarterback Josh Betts (Vandalia, Ohio) with the Indianapolis Colts, outside linebacker John Busing (Alpharetta, Ga.) with the Cincinnati Bengals, cornerback Darrell Hunter (Middletown, Ohio) with the Arizona Cardinals, offensive lineman Todd Londot (Utica, Ohio) with the New York Giants and wide receiver Martin Nance (Maryland Heights, Mo.) with the Buffalo Bills.
Since the 2004 NFL Draft three seasons ago, Miami has totaled an impressive 15 players who have either been drafted or signed to rookie free agent contracts. The six latest RedHawks to join the pro ranks join four RedHawks currently listed on NFL rosters - Jacob Bell, Tennessee Titans; Eric Beverly, Detroit Lions; Alphonso Hodge, Kansas City Chiefs and Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers.
A complete player-by-player breakdown of the five free agent signees follows.
Josh Betts • 6-2 • 215 lbs. • Quarterback • Vandalia, Ohio/Butler
Indianapolis Colts
Betts, who finished his career second only to Ben Roethlisberger in Miami's major career passing categories, is coming off a senior season in which he led the MAC and ranked 15th nationally in passing yards per game (288.9). A two-year starter for the RedHawks, Betts ranked among the top 20 nationally in total offense in each of the past two seasons and led Miami to at least a share of the MAC East Division title in both of his two years as a starter. The Vandalia, Ohio, native passed for 7,029 yards and 54 touchdowns while completing 58.2 percent of his passes.
During his senior campaign, Betts completed 27 touchdown passes, which are the most ever by a Miami quarterback in an 11-game season. He topped 3,000 yards passing in both of his seasons as a starter, joining Roethlisberger as the only Miami quarterbacks to do so, and recorded eight career 300-yard passing days. Over the course of 28 career starts, Betts was held under 200 yards passing only twice and also held without a touchdown pass on only two occasions. A two-time Academic All-MAC selection and a 2005 finalist for the prestigious Draddy Trophy, presented to college football's top scholar-athlete, Betts competed this past January in the Hula Bowl.
John Busing • 6-2 • 222 • Outside Linebacker • Alpharetta, Ga./Chattahoochee
Cincinnati Bengals
A three-year starter at outside linebacker for Miami, Busing was a first-team all-MAC selection following an impressive senior season. An intelligent player with impressive athletic ability, Busing totaled at least 90 tackles in each of his three seasons as a starter and led Miami in tackles over the past two seasons. A corner back and wide receiver in high school, Busing also was impressive in pass coverage, totaling eight interceptions for his career and leading all linebackers nationally in interceptions (5) as a sophomore.
Last season, Busing averaged 8.8 tackles per game to rank among the top 10 tacklers in the MAC. The only RedHawk linebacker to start all 11 games, Busing was one of two permanent team captains during the season and topped 10 or more tackles six times during the season, including a career-best 13 stops in a season-opening loss at Ohio State. Busing was an honorable mention all-MAC pick in 2004 when he helped lead Miami to its second straight MAC East title and an Independence Bowl bid.
Darrell Hunter • 6-0 • 206 • Cornerback • Middletown, Ohio/Middletown
Arizona Cardinals
Arguably the fastest man in Miami program history, Hunter was a two-time all-MAC selection and a three-year starter at cornerback for the Red and White. A former Ohio track champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, Hunter played for the RedHawks as a true freshmen and entered his sophomore season in the starting lineup. During an impressive 2003 season, in which Miami won MAC and GMAC Bowl Championships, Hunter made 43 tackles, picked off four passes, returning one for a touchdown, and broke up 14 other passes. He also flashed his speed, showing the ability to run down opponents from behind and prevent touchdowns.
Hunter, who also spent three seasons returning kicks for the RedHawks, followed with a solid junior season in which both he and 2005 NFL Draft Choice Alphonso Hodge were named second-team all-MAC at cornerback. Hunter finished his career by earning first-team all-MAC plaudits and totaling 41 tackles as a senior. His eight career interceptions rank just outside of Miami's career top 10. Entering this season, the Middletown, Ohio, native was listed on the watch list for the prestigious Thorpe Award which goes to the top defensive back nationally.
Todd Londot • 6-5 • 304 • Offensive Lineman • Utica, Ohio/Utica
New York Giants
Londot, who began his career at Miami as a walk-on, was a four-year starter on the offensive front for the Red and White. A three-time second-team all-MAC selection and twice a candidate for the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the nation's top center, Londot started 46 games for Miami, including the final 42 games of his career. He served as a key cog in Miami's 2003 offensive line that paved the way for more than 7,000 yards on the way to MAC and GMAC Bowl Championships.
Twice honored with the Trench Warrior Award, presented to Miami's top offensive lineman, Londot demonstrated his versatility in 2004 when he moved from center to tackle midway through the season to help shore up the RedHawks' offensive front. The move helped Miami win a second straight MAC East title and secure a bid to the Independence Bowl. Londot moved back to center for his senior campaign and became the first Miami center since the early `70s to be named all-MAC three times. The athletic and rangy center competed in the Hula Bowl this past January, playing in a variety of positions along the offensive line.
Martin Nance • 6-4 • 213 • Wide Receiver • Maryland Heights, Mo./Pattonville
Buffalo Bills
A two-time all-Mid-American Conference selection for the RedHawks, Nance finished his career as Miami's all-time leader in receptions (208) and receiving yards (3,131). He broke onto the scene during a sensational sophomore campaign when he shattered Miami's single-season records with 90 receptions and 1,498 yards, ranking fourth nationally in receiving yards per game while helping Miami to MAC and GMAC Bowl Championships. Nance, who totaled seven 100-yard games during the 2003 campaign, was named second-team all-MAC and entered his junior season as one of college football's top ranked wide receivers.
Nance's junior season was abbreviated by a season-ending knee injury suffered in the fifth game of the season, and the Marlyand Heights, Mo., native missed eight games and a chunk of the offseason while rehabilitating. Returning to the playing field as a senior, Nance made his debut at Ohio State, hauling in nine receptions for 106 yards against one of the nation's top secondaries and beginning a Miami-record string of four straight games with at least 100 yards receiving.
Along with totaling seven 100-yard games during his final collegiate campaign, extending his career total to a RedHawk-record 14 100-yard days, Nance broke Miami's single-season record with 14 receiving touchdowns. Totaling 81 catches for 1,107 yards, Nance ranked among the nation's top 15 in receiving touchdowns (3rd), receptions per game (6th/7.4) and receiving yards per game (11th/101.6). Nance was honored as a semifinalist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award as well as being named first-team all-MAC and honorable mention All-America by Sports Illustrated.
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