TicketsApril 28, 2008
CINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati offensive lineman Digger Bujnoch (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), running back Bradley Glatthaar (Cincinnati, OH/Elder), defensive end Anthony Hoke (Warren, OH/Harding), and tight end Doug Jones (Erlanger, KY/Dixie Heights) have all agreed to terms with NFL franchises. Bujnoch has accepted a contract with the New York Giants, Glatthaar and Hoke both committed to the Cincinnati Bengals, while Jones signed his deal with the St. Louis Rams to bring the Bearcats' total of National Football League contracts to six this offseason; and making the largest number from one class to attend NFL mini-camps since a record 10 Bearcats agreed to terms in 2005.
The four join Haruki Nakamura (Elyria, OH/St. Edward) who was selected by the Baltimore Ravens, and Angelo Craig (Cleveland, OH/Glenville) who was picked by the Bengals, as Bearcats chosen to take their game to the professional ranks. Products of a proven system, over the past four years, Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly has mentored 11 NFL draft selections.
One of five seniors to graduate before the Papajohns.com Bowl, Bujnoch was the leader of the Cincinnati offensive front that set school records for scoring with 472 points (36.3 per game), and total offense (434.0 yards per game) in 2007. A former tight end, the Cincinnati product moved to left tackle, prior to his senior season. He served the previous two years as the starting right tackle and ended his Bearcats career with a string of 27 consecutive starts. Bujnoch capped his collegiate career as a starter for the Aina (East) team in the 2008 Hula Bowl. Recognized as the offense's John Pease Award winner as the unit's most-outstanding lineman, he also received the 2007 C-Club/Strothman Award for academic and athletic excellence at the team's annual banquet.
Glatthaar ended his collegiate career tied for sixth in the UC record books with 21 career rushing touchdowns. One of three running backs with more than 1,000 career rushing yards upon graduation, he worked as the Bearcats' short-yardage specialist in 2007 and led the team with eight rushing touchdowns, on 48 carries. Third on the team with 48 points, Glatthaar reached paydirt in five of the first six games of his final season. An active member on Cincinnati's special teams, the Cincinnati native registered a season-long rush of 28 yards and finished with 31 yards and a score at Syracuse.
Hoke established a program single-season record with 13 sacks in his senior season and concluded his career third in Bearcats history with 22 sacks. One of four Bearcats selected to play in the 2008 Hula Bowl, he garnered second-team all-BIG EAST honors following the 2007 campaign. A starter in 12 games, Hoke finished second on the team with 16.5 tackles for loss and sixth on the team with 58 tackles. The athletic pass rush collected seven sacks over his last four collegiate games.
A member of the tight end rotation in 2007, Jones also graduated prior to the Papajohns.com Bowl. He played in each of the final 12 games after sitting out the season opener. Used as a short-yardage blocking back, tight end, and special teams member, he scored two rushing touchdowns on two carries as a senior. A three-year starter for the Bearcats, Jones received Conference USA All-Freshman Team acclaim in 2004.
Two other Bearcats, Earnest Jackson and Greg Moore also received invitations to workout at mini-camps. Headed to workout for the New England Patriots, Jackson served as the starting tight end in 12 of 13 games and registered 17 catches for 236 yards. The Southfield, Mich. product snared three passes for 46 yards, highlighted by a 29-yard scoring grab against Southern Miss. in the 2007 Papajohns.com Bowl. Another of the running backs in the rotation in 2007, Moore is set to display his skills for the Bengals. The Dayton, Ohio product totaled 450 yards and two scores on the ground as a senior.
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