Two Bulls Sign Professional Contracts

Gemara Williams heads to the NFL, while Schroeder joins the CFL

Gemara Williams

BUFFALO, NY - Two University at Buffalo football players have taken the first step to continuing the sport they love, signing contracts to play professional football. Gemara Williams (Oak Park, MI/Brother Rice) has signed with the defending AFC East Champion New England Patriots, while Rob Schroeder (East Rochester, NY/East Rochester) has signed to play in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.

Williams, a defensive back, finished last season 10th in the nation in passes defended with 14 in 11 games. As a whole, Williams was a member of a UB secondary that finished ninth in the nation and first in the Mid-American Conference in pass defense, allowing just 173.64 yards per game through the air. Williams finished third on the team with 61 tackles in 2005, giving him 258 for his career. He is also the school’s career leader in passes defended with 39 and his 176 total solo tackles rank fifth best in Bulls’ history.

Rob Schroeder

Schroeder, a defensive tackle, finished first on the team in tackles for loss, recording 13 last season, which resulted in 39 yards lost. He finished his UB career tied for seventh all-time with 31 tackles for loss. Schroeder also was tops on the defensive unit in quarterback hurries with six. Schroeder earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors following the Bulls' victory over Kent State. Schroeder finished with 37 tackles in 2005, giving him 120 for his career, and also had 9.5 sacks in his Blue and White career.

The Bulls have now sent 15 players into the NFL since 1997. Williams joins tight end/long snapper Adam Johnson (2001-03), who recently signed a new contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Also playing professional ball are quarterback Chad Salisbury (1997-98) with the Grand Rapids Rampage and Dahnel Singfield (1999-02) with the Long Island Dragons, both of the Arena Football League. Former defensive back Mark Graham (2000-03) currently is on the Green Bay Blizzard in the Arena Football League 2 and wide reciever Andre Forde (1999-2002) can be found on the Tulsa Talons roster in the same league.

05/02/2006