April 26, 2010
By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Former UCF football players Ian Bustillo (Tampa Bay), Michael Greco (New York Giants), Cory Hogue (Indianapolis) and Rocky Ross (Jacksonville) will all be joining NFL teams shortly either as undrafted free agents or for an invitation to try out. The deals become official when the four report to their respective clubs, pass physicals and sign paperwork.
The quartet will join defensive tackle Torell Troup who was selected early in the second round of the draft (number 41 overall) by the Buffalo Bills. Full coverage here.
Troup's selection marks five consecutive years that UCF has produced an NFL draft pick and it is the eighth time in nine years that the Knights have been represented at the league's annual selection meeting. UCF, BYU and Fresno State are the only schools from non-automatic qualifying BCS conferences which can make both of these two claims. Since joining Conference USA for the 2005 season, the Knights are tied for the most total picks with their seven, matching East Carolina.
Bustillo will head down I-4 to Tampa after starting 20 games at center for UCF including all 13 in 2009 when the Knights' total offense made one of the biggest improvements in the nation, jumping from 229.5 yards per game in 2008 to 340.8 this past fall.
Greco wowed scouts at UCF's Pro Day with his raw athleticism, including an unofficial 4.37-second 40-yard dash. Greco was a quarterback for the Knights in 2008 before moving to safety as a senior in 2009. He quickly adapted to his new position and went on to start eight games, including the St. Petersburg Bowl. He will be joined in the Giants' secondary by former UCF teammate Sha'reff Rashad who spent much of 2009 on New York's practice squad before being signed to the active roster for the team's final contest of the year against the Minnesota Vikings.
Hogue, a fifth-year senior from Naples, was the anchor on UCF's stellar defense and was a first-team All-Conference USA pick in 2009. He led the Knights in tackles (103) and he was second in tackles for loss (11). Hogue played on all three of UCF's bowl teams.
A team captain, Ross leaves UCF in seventh-place in school history with 157 career receptions and 10th with 1,984 career receiving yards. In addition to his on the field success, he also posted a 3.88 cumulative GPA, helping to earn him a spot on the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Team. His 41 catches as a senior ranked second on the squad behind only A.J. Guyton.
To see the next wave of future NFL superstars come through Bright House Networks Stadium, get your 2010 UCF football season tickets today! Ticket information is available online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling (407) 823-1000.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.