Former IU linebackers net NFL contracts

After former IU middle linebacker John Pannozzo suffered a season-ending hand injury against Michigan State Oct. 29 in East Lansing, IU coach Terry Hoeppner looked to outside linebacker Kyle Killion to fill the void. \nNow, both former IU standouts will be looking to fill voids on NFL teams.\nKillion and Pannozzo both signed rookie free agent contracts earlier this week -- Killion with the Indianapolis Colts and Pannozzo with the Atlanta Falcons.\n"I'm definitely excited to be playing in the NFL, but there's a lot of hard work ahead of me," said Killion. "I'm trying to make the team and there's a lot of good players out there. Hopefully it will work out for me."\nBefore singing with the Colts, Killion was contacted by a few other NFL teams and coaches who wanted to find out more about him and introduce themselves. After running him through a grueling physical, it was the Colts that offered Killion a contract while the seventh round of the NFL Draft unfolded Sunday in New York. Killion will get his first chance to battle with 18 other former college stars for a spot on the team when he reports to rookie camp this weekend in Indianapolis.\n"During his time in Indiana, Kyle had become a Colts' fan, so this is a dream come true for him," Hoeppner said in a statement. "I spoke with (Colts') Coach (Tony) Dungy at length last week about Kyle. Kyle is excited, and I am excited for him because it is a good fit."\nKillion echoed his coach's statement.\n"I'm pretty good friends with a whole bunch of Colts fans," said the Kingwood, Texas native. "They rubbed off on me."\nPannozzo played fullback his first three years at IU and after switching to linebacker this past season had an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball. The Brooklyn native recorded three sacks, 52 tackles (40 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries before the hand injury ended his IU career.\n"I'm happy for John," Hoeppner said in a statement. "He has worked hard. It's a good organization he's going to. I look forward to watching him play in the NFL."\nKillion recorded 323 career tackles during his tenure at IU, good for sixth all-time.\nThe linebackers join two former teammates in their quest for a spot on an NFL team. Defensive end Victor Adeyanju and offensive lineman Issac Sowells were picked back-to-back in the fourth round of the NFL draft this weekend. Adeyanju went to the St. Louis Rams and Sowells was selected by the Cleveland Browns.