July 26, 2011
NORFOLK, Va. - Former Old Dominion defensive end Deron Mayo (Hampton, Va.) is set to sign a free agent contract with the National Football League's Denver Broncos.
Mayo's impact at Old Dominion was immediate from the time he set foot on campus. Choosing to play his final season of collegiate football at ODU after Hofstra disbanded its program, Mayo was named a "Transfer to Watch" by the Sports Network and in a vote by his teammates, was named a Co-Captain, showing their respect for the defensive end with Mayo not even having played a game in the Monarch uniform.
In 2010, Mayo was third on the ODU defense making 70 tackles and made five or more stops in 10 of the Monarchs' 11 games. He led the Monarchs in sacks, was second on the team in tackles for loss, forced a team-leading three fumbles, recorded a team second-best seven QB hurries, and tied for third among teammates with three pass break-ups. As a member of the special teams unit, Mayo blocked two kicks, including a punt at Hampton resulting in a Monarch score.
"We are excited as a football family for Deron Mayo becoming the first Monarch to sign a professional contract," said Monarch head coach Bobby Wilder. "The Denver Broncos are getting a great person that will compete at everything he does on the field and in the meeting room. Deron made an immediate impact with our program as soon as he arrived from Hofstra. Within a few weeks, his new teammates voted him as one of our captains. He was a leader on our team and on campus during his short time at Old Dominion. We wish him well in the NFL."
NFL camps are set to open this week in preparation for the 2011 season that begins in September.