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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo has three players headed to the National Football League.

All-time receiving leader Drew Haddad (Westlake, OH/St. Ignatius) became the third Buffalo player drafted into the NFL when he was chosen by the hometown Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of today's NFL draft. Haddad follows Ed Ellis ('97, chosen in the fourth round by New England) as NFL draftees in head coach Craig Cirbus' tenure.

Haddad will have a former teammate to keep him company in Orchard Park. Fullback Josh Roth (Conewango Valley, NY/Pine Valley) was signed as a free agent by the Bills shortly after today's draft ended. Roth is a three-year starter who led Buffalo in rushing the past two seasons.

In addition, four-year starter Joe Hattendorf (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin) was signed to a free agent contract by the Cincinnati Bengals. Hattendorf allowed just one sack at left tackle in his final two seasons with the Bulls.

Haddad graduated with 12 all-time receiving and punt return records and ranks as one of the all-time greats in UB's rich football history. He ranked fifth in the country in receptions last year (85) and eighth in receiving yards. He ranks as the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and punt return yards in Bulls' football history.

Roth had over 500 yards rushing in each of his last two seasons and improved his NFL stock by rushing for over 100 yards in two of his of last three collegiate games last fall, including at ACC power Virginia. Roth was an All-Western New York selection at tiny Pine Valley HS and started three seasons at UB.

Hattendorf, meanwhile, was a tower at left tackle during his career, helping the Bulls to an all-time single-season rushing record as a junior and rebounding from an ankle injury in fall camp last year to grade out at over 90% efficiency.

The Bulls also had three players sign NFL contracts after the 1996 season when Ellis was drafted by the Patriots and Craig Guest (New York Jets) and Gerald Carlson (New England Patriots) signed free agent contracts.