Dan Bazuin attended McBain High School in McBain, Michigan where he was a three-sport athlete as a member of the football, basketball and track teams. Dan was an all-state performer in all three sports. He led the McBain basketball team to a state championship as a senior. He helped the football team to two conference and district championships, finishing as the state runner-up his senior year. He earned all-conference and all-state honors his junior and senior seasons. During his three years as a starter Dan and the McBain football team compiled a 30-6 record. He finished his career with 262 tackles and 3 interceptions. Dan went on to play at Central Michigan where he sat out the 2002 season as a redshirt. He started all 12 games the following season finishing fifth on the team with 70 tackles on the year. He led the team in tackles for loss and sacks with 14 and 6 respectively. As a sophomore, Dan started all 11 games, totaling 50 tackles and 3 sacks on the season. He also blocked 4 kicks and was named first team all-MAC and academic all-MAC. Dan had a monster season as a junior, finishing second on the team with 74 tackles. He led the nation in tackles for loss with 26 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He set school and conference records for tackles for loss (26 ½) and sacks (16). He was named first team all-MAC, MAC defensive player of the year, and academic all-MAC. As a senior, Dan finished third on the team in tackles with 67 stops on the year. He led the team in tackles for loss (15), sacks (10 ½), and forced fumbles (4). He was named first team all-MAC for the third consecutive season.

Dan “Buzz” Bazuin has a ton of experience, having started at defensive end for Central Michigan over the past four seasons. During that time he has proven to be a very durable player who rarely misses a game due to injury. He is a hard worker and an intelligent player. He is a bit short for a defensive end, but he has good bulk and upper body strength. He has a quick first step which allows him to beat most offensive tackles off the snap. He is a great pass rusher with 26 ½ sacks over the past two seasons. Dan has a knack for forcing fumbles as will with 9 fumbles forced over the past two seasons. He is a high-motor player who won’t stop until the whistle is blown. He is a solid run defender with the ability to chase a ball carrier down from behind and make plays all over the field. Though he is a solid run defender, this is an area where he still could improve. He has trouble getting off blocks of bigger, stronger offensive linemen at times. He would benefit from increasing his strength. He will miss the occasional tackle due to his aggressive play. Dan didn’t play against top competition on a consistent basis in college and I wouldn’t expect him to be able to have the same type of production against NFL competition. He is a pretty good all-around defensive end who lacks ideal size and strength for the position. He could project as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 or a defensive end in a 4-3. He should be a late first to early second day pick in the 2007 NFL draft.