Defensive end David Hoelscher, a first-team ESPN/Sportsticker NCAA Division I-AA All-American in 1997, has signed with the Green Bay Packers and defensive back Danny Thomas has inked with the Arizona Cardinals.
Hoelscher, 6-6, 256, from Yorkshire, OH, was highly-ranked in the Ohio Valley Conference this past season in tackles for loss with 14 for a negative 63 yards. Also a first-team All-OVC player in 1997, he finished the '98 season with 34 solo tackles and 27 assists.
A first-team all-conference player as a sophomore, Hoelscher was injured in the early part of the 1996 season. This past year, he also collected 3.5 quarterback sacks, four pass deflections, eight quarterback pressures and an interception.
Thomas, 5-9, 192, from Winchester, was moved from wide receiver to defensive back midway through 1996 spring practice. He finished the '97 year as the Colonels' third-leading tackler with 57 solo tackles and 25 assists. He also had three interceptions, four tackles for loss, a recovered fumble and nine pass deflections in '97 while playing strong safety for the Colonels.
"Both these young men have worked hard and deserve a chance to play at the next level. I am so pleased they're going to get that opportunity now, " said veteran EKU football coach Roy Kidd.
EKU closed the 1997 season with an 8-4 overall record and as champion of the OVC with a final 7-0 league mark. The Colonels participated in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs last season for an unprecedented 17th time in the 20-year history of these playoffs and finished with final ranking of 15th in both the USAToday/ESPN poll and The Sports Network Poll.
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