May 2, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three former Vanderbilt football players have signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. Marcus Buggs signed a contact with the Buffalo Bills, while Curtis Gatewood signed a deal with the Washington Redskins. Theo Horrocks reached an agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Buggs became a defensive leader in his senior season, starting all 12 games at weakside linebacker. He finished third on the team in total tackles with 76 and ranked among the top five on the team with 42 solo tackles. He led the team in tackles for loss for the second straight season with 12. The Madison, Tenn., native set a new career high with 10 tackles at Florida.
Gatewood started every game at defensive end for the Commodores for the second straight year. He posted three quarterback sacks as well as seven tackles for loss in the 2007 season. He concluded his career at Vanderbilt with 110 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and a team high 10.5 quarterback sacks. Gatewood participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl as an outside linebacker.
Horrocks was a senior defensive co-captain for the Commodores in 2007. He was named Vanderbilt’s postseason Defensive Lineman MVP after his senior year. The Fayetteville, Tenn., native started every game of the 2007 season at defensive tackle and finished sixth on the team with 18 solo tackles. Horrocks enjoyed one of his best performances of the 2007 season against Miami (OH) when he had seven tackles and two tackles for a loss.
Four other Commodores have also agreed with teams to attend mini camps this weekend. Quarterback Richard Kovalcheck and offensive tackle Brian Stamper will attend Cleveland’s camp, while running back Cassen Jackson-Garrison and offensive guard Josh Eames will suit up with the Kansas City Chiefs.
