Two Bulls Sign NFL Contracts

Chad Upshaw signs with Carolina and Ramon Guzman signs with Indianapolis

Chad Upshaw

BUFFALO, NY – Two University at Buffalo football players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams on Sunday. Chad Upshaw (Southport, CT/St. Joseph’s) signed with the Carolina Panthers and Ramon Guzman (Bronx, NY/DeWitt Clinton) signed with the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.

Upshaw, a tight end, led the Bulls in receptions with 35 and ranked third on the team in receiving yardage with 419 yards. His 94 career catches are one shy of the school record for receptions by a tight end. Upshaw finished his career by catching a pass in 22 straight games. He was selected to play in two postseason all-star games in 2006 - the Inta Juice North-South All-Star Classic and the Magnolia Grid-Iron Classic.

Guzman, a linebacker, started nine games for the Bulls in 2006. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles per game - averaging 7.4. He had 38 solo stops and added eight tackles for loss and a sack. A team captain, Guzman was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week after he had a season-high 14 tackles, including three for a loss and a pass break-up in the Bulls’ win over Temple on August 31.

Ramon Guzman

The Bulls have now sent 17 players into the NFL since 1997. Upshaw and Guzman join defensive back Gemara Williams (2002-05), who resigned with the New England Patriots and tight end/long snapper Adam Johnson (2001-03), who recently signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Also playing professional ball in the Arena Football League are quarterback Chad Salisbury (1997-98) with the Grand Rapids Rampage, defensive back Dahnel Singfield (1999-02) with the Utah Blaze, defensive lineman Rob Schroeder (2002-05) with the Austin Wranglers and defensive lineman Hardy Mitchell (1994-97) with the Las Vegas Gladiators.

Three former UB players are playing professionally in the Arena Football League 2 as Andre Forde (1999-02) is with the Tulsa Talons, Zack Love (2002-05) is with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers and Rich Sanders (2002-05) is with the Loredo Lobos.

04/30/2007