Miami Ohio University Athletics
Nate Bunce Signs Rookie Free Agent Contract With Chicago Bears
5/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 2, 2006
OXFORD, Ohio -- Miami University guard Nate Bunce (Hamilton, Ohio) became the seventh member of a prolific RedHawk senior class to sign with a National Football League franchise Monday, when he signed a deal with the Chicago Bears. One of 13 undrafted free agents signed by the organization, Bunce joins fifth-round draft pick Terna Nande (Tennessee Titans) and free agents Josh Betts (Indianapolis Colts), John Busing (Cincinnati Bengals), Darrell Hunter (Arizona Cardinals), Todd Londot (New York Giants) and Martin Nance (Buffalo Bills) in taking his game to the highest level of football.
A three-year starter on Miami's offensive front, Bunce was a first-team all-Mid-American Conference selection during his senior season, when he helped the RedHawks win a share of a third straight MAC East Division Championship. The 6-foot-5, 332 lbs. guard was an integral factor in a versatile offense that was the only in NCAA Division I-A last season to create a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers. During Bunce's four-years, Miami consistently ranked among the nation's Top 25 in passing and scoring offense
Bunce broke into Miami's starting lineup as a sophomore, providing protection for an offense that rewrote the Miami and Mid-American Conference record books on the way to MAC and GMAC Bowl titles. The team, which was led by current Pittsburgh Steeler's quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, amassed a whopping 7,016 yards of total offense while totaling 74 touchdowns. The following season, Bunce was a stable presence on an offensive line that helped clear the way to a second straight MAC Championship game appearance and a showing in the Independence Bowl.
The graduate of Badin High School was a tight end and defensive tackle during his prep playing days. A first-team all-conference pick as a senior, Bunce helped Badin to the state district playoffs as a junior and senior and to the state semifinals as a sophomore.
The seven Miami players from one class to find their way to NFL mini-camps are the most in program history, ranking ahead of the six players to sign deals in 2004. Of the 2003 team that finished the season ranked No. 10 nationally, 16 players have gone on to either be drafted or sign rookie free agent contracts.
