Broncos Sign Rookies McBath, Bruton, Brandstater

McBath, Bruton and Brandstater

The Denver Broncos have announced the signings of rookies Darcel McBath, David Bruton, and Tom Brandstater Sunday evening, hours before rookies are expected to report for training camp. Rookies and quarterbacks begin camp practices Monday, while the full team begins workouts Thursday.

The Broncos’ remaining unsigned draft choices are running back Knowshon Moreno and linebacker Robert Ayers, both drafted in the first round.

Excellent to see the Broncos burning the midnight oil to get this done. On the other hand, the latest on Ayers is that he and the Broncos might not come to terms before practice tomorrow. A source close to the situation told FOX 31 that the two sides were “still a ways” apart, and were “not on the phone now.” We’ll keep you posted. Press release after the jump.

BRONCOS SIGN 2009 NFL DRAFT CHOICES McBATH, BRUTON AND BRANDSTATER

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Monday signed safeties Darcel McBath and David Bruton along with quarterback Tom Brandstater, whom they selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

McBath (6-foot-1, 198 pounds), who was chosen by Denver in the second round (48th overall) of the 2009 NFL draft, started every game during his final three seasons at Texas Tech University, earning All-Big 12 Conference recognition during each of those campaigns. He finished his collegiate career tied for fifth in Texas Tech annals with 12 interceptions and posted at least 70 tackles in each of his final three seasons.

In 45 career games (39 starts) at Texas Tech, McBath totaled 224 tackles (140 solo), 12 interceptions (173 yds.), 30 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He scored three touchdowns for the Red Raiders on returns (2 interceptions, 1 fumble).

As a senior in 2008, McBath started all 13 games for Texas Tech and received first-team All-Big 12 honors and first-team All-America accolades (American Football Coaches Association). His seven interceptions that year tied for first among FBS players, and the safety ranked second on Texas Tech with 75 tackles (55 solo).

Named District 9-3A Most Valuable Player by The Dallas Morning News as a senior at Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Texas, McBath was born on Oct. 28, 1985.

Bruton (6-foot-2, 211 pounds), who was chosen by Denver in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 2009 NFL draft, was a two-year starter at the University of Notre Dame and led the Fighting Irish with 182 tackles during his final two seasons. He also established himself as one of the top special-teams gunners in the country while appearing in 596 special-teams plays during his collegiate career.

In 48 career games (24 starts) at Notre Dame, Bruton totaled 214 tackles (138 solo), seven interceptions (77 yds.), one sack (10 yds.), 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

As a senior team captain in 2008, he was named an honorable mention All-American by The NFL Draft Report as a 13-game starter. He finished the year with 97 tackles (61 solo), which marked the third-highest single-season total by a defensive back in school history.

An all-area selection by the Dayton Daily News as a senior at Miamisburg High School in Miamisburg, Ohio, Bruton was born on July 23, 1987.

Brandstater (6-foot-5, 223 pounds), who was chosen by Denver in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft, was a three-year starter at Fresno State University. He finished his collegiate career ranked fifth in Fresno State history in completions (584), sixth in passing yards (6,857) and seventh in touchdown passes (47).

In 45 career games (36 starts) at Fresno State, Brandstater completed 584-of-989 (59.0%) passes for 6,857 yards with 47 touchdowns and 32 interceptions for a 126.5 rating. He accounted for 55 touchdowns (47 passing, 8 rushing) as a Bulldog and was a first-team Academic All-Western Athletic Conference pick during each of his final three collegiate seasons.

As a senior in 2008, he totaled the fourth-most passing years in the WAC with a career-high 2,664 yards along with a personal-best 18 touchdown passes.

Brandstater, who threw for more than 1,000 yards and earned first-team all-district honors as a defensive back during his senior year at Turlock High School in Turlock, Calif., was born on Oct. 21, 1984.