Babin Drafted in the First Round

KALAMAZOO - Jason Babin (Paw Paw, MI), senior defensive end at Western Michigan University, was chosen by the Houston Texans in the first round (27th overall) of the National Football League Draft, held today in New York City. He is the highest drafted football player in school history and the only Bronco ever selected in the first round.

Houston traded up to acquire Babin, exchanging four draft picks with the Tennessee Titans for Babin and a fifth-round draft choice.

Babin was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in 2003, topping the nation in tackles for losses (2.75 per game/33 total) and ranking fourth nationally in pass sacks (1.25 per game/15 total). The 6-4, 276-pound Babin participated in the East-West Shrine Classic and was tabbed a second team All-America by The Sporting News for the second straight season. Babin registered a team-high 115 tackles last season, taking part in 910 plays, fourth-highest total on the Bronco squad.

"Jason is a special player, a high-motor guy who stayed true to his style the whole year," said WMU head coach Gary Darnell. "We got a chance to see one of the more gifted players in the country."

Babin finished his career as WMU's all-time leader in TFLs (75) and sacks (38). He compiled 299 total tackles over 47 career games, posting a career-high 17 stops at Buffalo in 2002. Babin received invitations from four postseason all-star games (Blue-Gray, East-West Shrine, Hula Maui and Senior) and became the first WMU player ever chosen to the Playboy Dream Team. In addition to The Sporting News, Babin received All-American honors from College Sports Report.com (first team), Sports Illustrated.com (second team) and College Football News.com (second team).

Babin becomes the second Bronco with rights held by the Texans. WR Jermaine Lewis (1999-01) is currently representing the Texans as a member of the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe.

BABIN'S CAREER STATISTICS ? Western Michigan

YEAR   GP GS  ST AT  TK  TKL   SK INT QH FF FR
2003   12 12  83 32 115 33-117 15  0  23  3  1 
2002   12 12  72 22  94 26-108 15  0  10  2  1
2001   11  0  28 28  56 13-51   7  0   8  2  0
2000   12  1  19 15  34  3-7    1  0   2  1  0
Totals 47 25 202 97 299 75-283 38  0  43  8  2