Jan. 26, 2010
ORLANDO, Fla. -
By Christian Edwards
UCFAthletics.com
Former UCF standouts, cornerback Atari Bigby and offensive lineman Josh Sitton, were two of four alumni to play in the NFL playoffs this season and two of UCF's 15 alumni in the NFL overall. Both players started for the Green Bay Packers this season and served vital roles in the success of the team.
Bigby had another solid season with the Packers. The fifth-year pro started 11 of the 13 games he played in this season and registered 54 tackles, four interceptions, and 12 passes defensed. His 54 tackles tied for seventh on the team, four interceptions tied for third and 12 passes defensed was fourth.
Sitton was part of Green Bay's potent offense which ranked sixth in the league in total yards. Green Bay became the first team in NFL history to produce a 4,000-yard passer, a 1,200-yard rusher and two-1,000-yard receivers in back-to-back seasons. He started all 16 regular-season games at right guard and the wild card playoff game, and was the only Packer offensive lineman to start every game at the same position. Sitton paved the way for 1,000-yard rusher Ryan Grant. Grant rushed for a career-high 1,253 yards, which ranked seventh in the league.
Bigby joined Green Bay as a free agent in 2005. At UCF, he was a two-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection. His 296 career tackles ranks eighth in school history. As a senior he was a on the preseason Bronko Nagurski Watch List, which is given to the top defensive player in the country.
Sitton was drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. He started 43 of the 50 games he played in at UCF. He blocked for running back Kevin Smith in 2007 when he rushed for 2,567 yards. Smith's performance was the second-highest single-season rushing production in NCAA history. Sitton was named first-team All-Conference USA by the league's coaches and media in 2007.