August marks the start of NFL training camps across the country and five former UB football players are in camps and are looking to earn a spot on a team’s 53-man roster.
A pair of UB grads, Trevor Scott and Jamey Richard, begin their third year in the league and are looking to earn a starting role.
Scott , a defensive end, was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2008 draft. After totaling 24 tackles and five sacks as a rookie, Scott had 43 tackles and a team-best seven sacks last season. After starting the 2009 campaign at defensive end, Scott was moved to outside linebacker late in the season. With a strong end to the year and a good start to camp, many believe Scott will start for the Raiders in September.
Richard was selected in the 2008 draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He started seven of 15 games as a rookie and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. He appeared in seven games in 2009, including Super Bowl XLIV. After playing primarily special teams last season, Richard has been working with the first team at guard in preseason camp this year.
A trio of Bulls were inked by NFL teams in 2009. James Starks was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the draft, while Mike Newton signed a free agent contract with the Colts and Naaman Roosevelt signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills.
Starks, the Bulls’ all-time leading rusher, has been slowed by a hamstring injury, but is expected to fully recover and challenge for playing time in the Packers’ backfield.
Newton, UB’s former hard-hitting safety, is looking to catch on with the Colts and play alongside the player he grew up idolizing – Bob Sanders.
Roosevelt is looking to continue his football career without leaving his hometown. The Bulls’ all-time receiving leader was signed by the Bills in April. He is having a solid camp so far and hopes to join the team’s young receiving corps.
With five former Buffalo players in NFL camps, UB fans will have a reason to watch football on Saturday and on Sunday in 2010.
