by US Fed News

Dan Gerberry and Darius Hill, both senior members of the 2008 Ball State University football team, have signed contracts as unrestricted free agents with the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. Gerberry was invited to a tryout camp with the Detroit Lions and signed as a free agent after the camp. He will attend the Lions next mini-camp May 18. A senior center for the Cardinals in 2008, Gerberry was an All-Mid-American Conference First Team selection as a senior.

He started all 14 games in 2008, and started all 50 games in his four year career. He was part of an offensive line which ranked first in the MAC and fourth in the nation for fewest sacks allowed at 1.0 per game. A 2008 team co-captain, Gerberry blocked for an offense which ranked 24th in the nation in passing with 258.0 yards per game and helped H-back MiQuale Lewis set a single-season rushing record with 1,736 yards. Gerberry also protected junior quarterback Nate Davis, who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League Draft, after passing for 9,233 yards and 74 touchdowns in his collegiate career. Hill, a senior tight end for the Cardinals last year, was a 2008 All-MAC First Team selection after catching 40 passes for 670 yards and seven touchdowns. He also earned 2007 all-conference first team honors after receiving honorable mention in 2006. A 2007 John Mackey Award Semifinalist, Hill registered 65 catches for 926 yards with 11 TDs as a junior. He set the Ball State career record with 31 touchdown receptions and ranked third with 2,544 career pass receiving yards. Hill's 157 career receptions ranks third on the Cardinals charts, while his four games of 100 or more yards receiving ties for sixth on Ball State's career chart. Ball State completed the 2008 season with a 12-2 overall record and an 8-0 conference ledger. The Cardinals completed the regular season with a 12-0 mark, won the MAC West Division Championship, advanced to the school's first-ever MAC Championship Game and made back-to-back bowl game appearances for the first time in school history. Gerberry and Hill mark the fourth and fifth Ball State players from the 2008 team to have an opportunity to play in the NFL. Robert Brewster, an offensive tackle, was selected in the third round and was the 75th selection overall when selected by the Dallas Cowboys. Junior quarterback Nate Davis was selected by the 49ers in the fifth round and was the 171st pick overall.For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

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