Miami's Caleb Bostic

July 16, 2008

OXFORD, Ohio - One of the most talented linebacker corps in Miami University and Mid-American Conference history is also ranked by one pre-season magazine among the top ten units in college football. And Craig Aukerman feels blessed to have the opportunity to coach them.

"We feel real good about the guys we're got coming back this year," said Aukerman. "Joe Hudson (Sr., Piqua) and Clayton Mullins (Sr., Fairborn) will both be three-year starters, and Caleb Bostic (Jr., Galloway) will be a two-year starter. Even if one of those three goes down, we're confident that they would be replaced by a very capable player."

Mullins and Hudson are clearly at the head of the RedHawk class.

As the defending MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Mullins will be looking to improve upon 2007 statistics that included a league-best 143 tackles and a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded four quarterback sacks, recovered two fumbles and broke up six passes.

"Clayton Mullins is just a great football player," said Aukerman. "He's aggressive, he's smart and he's a very talented football player. Clayton comes in and watches film and studies the opponent. He just loves the game of football."

Hudson, a probable two-time captain, is looking forward to being healthy in 2008. Named Miami's most outstanding junior at last year's team banquet, he battled back from a serious knee injury he suffered against Minnesota. The two-time second-team All-MAC was honored twice in 2007 as the MAC East Division's Defensive Player of the Week, and has averaged 98 tackles per season over the last two campaigns.

The third member of the Redhawks' "Three Amigos" is Bostic, perhaps the most physically talented of the bunch. He had a break-out season in 2007, notching 103 tackles and 11 TFL's, both second-best among Miami defenders.

Senior Chris Shula (Cooper City, Fla.) is a versatile, intelligent player who saw action in all 12 games last year. Aukerman is confident at substituting Shula at middle linebacker, the "Will" position (weak side) or the "Sam" position (strong side).

True sophomores Ryan Kennedy (Libertyville, Ill.) and David Davis (Decatur, Ga.) will get their share of reps, as will redshirt freshman Alex Kaufman (Cincinnati). Other players in the mix include Rion Robinson (Jr., Dayton), Dexter Korto (So., Germantown, Md.) and Scott Madsen (R-Fr., Dublin). Incoming freshman recruits who will get their first taste of college football include LUKE KELLY (Cincinnati) and JAYTEE SWANSON (Buford, Ga.). "We're fortunate to have a group of very intelligent players," said Aukerman. "They know the game of football and they study the game of football. They all know each other because they're best friends off the field."

Lindy's College Football Pre-Season Magazine ranked college football's best units at each position and Miami's linebackers were rated as the nation's ninth-best crew, behind Southern California, Ohio State, South Carolina, Virginia, Wake Forest, California, Florida and Georgia.

Miami's 2008 football campaign begins on August 28 when it entertains Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt. The rest of the home schedule finds Charleston Southern (Sept. 13), Temple (Oct. 4), Kent State (Oct. 25), Ball State (Nov. 11) and Ohio (Nov. 28) coming to Oxford.

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RedHawk football season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-866-MU-HAWKS (684-2957) or 529-HAWK for renewal assistance. Season tickets for chair-back seats are $115, while general seating is $99.

THE EXTRA-POINT PACKAGE, 20 people or more: $15 per person

-includes reserved seats

-25% discount on game day tickets

-group recognition over the PA system

-special RedHawks gift for group leader

THE TWO-POINT CONVERSION, 50 people or more: $12 per person

-includes reserved seats

-40% discount on game day tickets

-group recognition over the PA/Video board system

-special RedHawks gift for group leader

-participate in the Fan Tunnel

THE TOUCHDOWN PACKAGE, 100 people or more: $10 per person

-includes reserved seats

-50% discount on game day tickets

-group recognition over the PA/Video board system

-participate in the Fan Tunnel

-autographed football from player/coach for group leader

--www.MURedHawks.com--