DeBauche, Swan Sign as Free Agents
April 28, 2008 | Football
Former Badgers, punter Ken DeBauche and wide receiver Luke Swan have both signed free agent contracts with NFL teams following the conclusion of the 2008 Draft.
DeBauche was signed by hometown favorite and the team from his backyard, the Green Bay Packers. Swan signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFC West. Both players will report to their respective teams at the end of this week for the start of minicamp.
'I'm really excited to be going to Green Bay,' said DeBauche. 'It's a great to get rid of all the stress of waiting and waiting to hear if a team wants you or not. I'm really excited to be going to Green Bay, the team I grew up watching and that is so close to home.' (DeBauche is a native of Suamico, Wis., and attended Bay Port High School in Green Bay).
Swan, a Fennimore, Wis. Native, is also relived to have the whole process over and know that he has a great opportunity to make a career in the NFL.
'I'm looking forward to minicamp and moving down to Kansas City to continue my football career,' said Swan. 'It's very exciting to be a part of a professional team playing the sport you love.'
DeBauche finished his career at Wisconsin as one of the top punters in school history. His 42.4-yard per punt average was second all-time in Wisconsin history while his 9,815 yards and 231 punts were good enough for third all-time. Ken was a four-year starter for the Badgers after redshirting in 2003. He was named to the first, second and honorable mention All-Big Ten teams and was the Conference Player of the Week on three occasions.
Swan suffered a career-ending hamstring injury at Illinois on October 6, 2007. Since then he has been rehabbing after a successful surgery and has done a lot to impress coaches and scouts alike with his rapid recovery. Swan finished his career with 60 receptions for 1,046 yards and seven touchdowns.
