Chiefs' Buford signs with BU

Taking part in Wednesday's signing ceremony at Santa Fe were (bottom row, from left) the Buford family -- father Jeff, Baker football recruit Darin and mother Shelley -- and (top) Chiefs head coach Andy Frerking. (Photo contributed) [Click to enlarge]

ALMA -- Two-time all-I-70 Conference receiver Darin Buford of Santa Fe kept his college choice in the family.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior signs an NAIA football letter-of-intent Wednesday with Heart of America Conference member Baker. His older brother, Josh, now an assistant football coach at Excelsior Springs, previously played wideout for the Wildcats.

Buford caught 79 passes for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns during his four-year career with the Chiefs. As a junior, he had 35 receptions for 502 yards and five TDs, following that with 28 catches for 464 yards and three scores last season -- in which he also ran the ball 51 times for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense, the fleet cornerback amassed 74 tackles and intercepted six passes during the last two years.

Buford, the son of Jeff and Shelley Buford of Alma, also lettered in basketball.