MIKE JOHNSON, OL, ALABAMA SENIOR PENSACOLA, FL
OUTLOOK: Mike Johnson returns for his senior season as the Crimson Tide's most experienced and versatile offensive lineman ... a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly in 2008, he also garnered second-team All-SEC honors ... should contend for both All-Conference and All-America recognition as a senior in 2009 ... a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the week ... started all 14 games along the Tide offensive line as a junior, making 12 starts at left guard and two at left tackle ... has played in 40 career games at the Capstone, including 27 straight starts ... won the team's Up-Front Award for his play along the offensive line during the 2008 season ... honored with the Mal Moore Leadership Award following spring practice in 2009. 2008 (JUNIOR): Mike Johnson was one of the Crimson Tide's most versatile offensive linemen ... was Alabama's everyday left guard, but moved out to left tackle when needed ... started 12 games at left guard and two games (Tulane and Utah) at left tackle in place of an injured Andre Smith ... earned first-team All-America honors from Pro Football Weekly ... a second-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press, Sporting News, SEC coaches and Phil Steele ... helped pave the way to 184.6 rushing yards per game... helped clear a path for six 100-yard individual rushing games (five by Glen Coffee and one by Mark Ingram) ... helped the Tide rush for 280 yards or more as a team three times (281 vs. Western Kentucky; 328 at Arkansas; 282 vs. Kentucky) ... twice named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Clemson & Mississippi) ... won the team's Up-Front Award for his play along the offensive line ... a third-team All-SEC selection by Phil Steele. Clemson: Johnson started the game at left guard before finishing the game as the Tide's left tackle after Andre Smith left the game with a sprained knee ... helped Alabama roll up 239 yards rushing for a 4.8 yards per carry average ... kept quarterback John Parker Wilson's jersey clean to the tune of 180 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-30 passing and no sacks. Tulane: He started the second game of the year at left tackle in place of Andre Smith where he solidified the left side of the offensive front ... earned offensive player of the week accolades from the Alabama coaching staff for his play. Western Kentucky: Johnson moved back to left guard with the return of left tackle Andre Smith ... helped Alabama rush a season-high 281 yards while compiling a season-best 557 yards of total offense. Arkansas: He cleared the way for a season-high 328 yards rushing on just 35 carries ... help UA average 9.4 yards per carry as a team ... the Crimson Tide ran behind the left side of the line all game, springing Glen Coffee on runs of 87 and 31 yards. Georgia: Johnson helped the Crimson Tide roll up 231 yards of total offense in the first half as Alabama opened up a 31-0 lead en route to victory. Kentucky: He helped clear the way to 282 yards rushing against a Wildcat team that entered the game ranked 13th nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 79.2 yards per game ... helped Coffee rush for a career-high 218 yards on 25 carries, including a 78-yard touchdown run. Mississippi: Johnson helped the Tide rush for 107 yards in a 24-20 win over Mississippi while providing time for a season-high 219 yards by Wilson through the air. Tennessee: He and his fellow offensive linemen did not allow a sack while producing 366 yards of total offense ... the balanced attack included 188 yards through the air and 178 yards on the ground ... the Crimson Tide offense averaged over 5.5 yards per play and over four yards per rush. Arkansas State: Johnson helped the Crimson Tide rush for 205 yards and four rushing touchdowns ... Ingram notched his first career 100-yard rushing effort with 113 yards on 12 carries. LSU: He blocked for Coffee's third 100-yard rushing effort of the season ... paved the way to three rushing touchdowns (two by Wilson and one by Coffee) ... did not allow a sack to the Tigers' dangerous defensive front seven. Mississippi State: Johnson helped the Tide rush for 198 yards with a 4.1 yards per carry average ... the Tide's physically dominant offensive front held the ball for 35:33 and wore down the Bulldogs defensive front with a power running game. Auburn: He was instrumental in the Tide's 412 yards of total offense and 234 yards rushing ... helped Coffee break free for his four 100-yard rushing game of the season with 144 yards that included a 41-yard burst for a touchdown. Florida: Johnson helped the Crimson Tide churn out 323 yards of total offense ... blocked for Coffee's fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season as both Coffee and Ingram scored rushing touchdowns. Sugar Bowl vs. Utah: He started the game at left tackle, but played only a handful of snaps before spraining a knee and not returning. 2007 (SOPHOMORE): One of two players on the offensive line (Andre Smith) to start in all 13 games ... earned the right tackle spot in fall drills and started at right tackle 10 times and at right guard against Mississippi State, Louisiana Monroe and Auburn ... started at right guard against Mississippi State after injuries and suspensions forced some shuffling on the offensive line ... helped the team post 313 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground in the season-opening win over Western Carolina ... helped the Tide rush for 221 yards, including 173 by running back Terry Grant, in the win in week two at Vanderbilt ... blocked for another 100-yard rushing performance by Grant and the line allowed only two sacks in 45 pass attempts in a win over Arkansas ... helped the offense score three touchdowns in the first half against Houston on homecoming ... the line allowed only one sack in a 41-17 win over Tennessee ... named UA Offensive Co-Player of the Week against Georgia. 2006 (FRESHMAN): Played a total of 132 snaps while appearing in all 13 games as a freshman ... finished with four knockdown blocks in the Louisiana Monroe game ... played in 37 snaps, a season-high, in the Petro Sun Independence Bowl game against Oklahoma State ... logged 16 snaps against Florida International and was in on 11 plays in the season-opener against Hawai'i. HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Never missed a practice or weight-room session in four years at Pine Forest High School ... had a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school and scored a 27 on the ACT exam ... full name is Michael P. Johnson ... born April 2, 1987.
ROLANDO McCLAIN, LB, ALABAMA JUNIOR DECATUR, ALA.
OUTLOOK: One of the top linebackers in college football, Rolando McClain enters his junior season in 2009 as a candidate for the Butkus Award and first-team All-America honors ... a third-team Associated Press All-American in 2008, he also garnered first-team All-SEC honors and was a finalist for the Butkus Award ... was a 2007 Freshman All-America and All-SEC selection ... has played 27 games and made 23 starts at mike linebacker ... has registered 169 tackles during his two-year career with 17 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three interceptions ... showed an expanded leadership role both on and off the field for the Crimson Tide during 2009 spring practice ... won the Mal Moore Leadership Award following spring drills ... accounted for 25 tackles in three spring scrimmages with 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and six tackles for loss ... a 2008 SEC Academic Honor Roll selection ... named to the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award and Lott Trophy watch lists. 2008 (SOPHOMORE): McClain not only established himself as one of the leaders on Alabama's defense as a sophomore, but as one of the best linebackers in the SEC and the country ... the heady mike linebacker had a firm grasp of what the Crimson Tide was trying to accomplish in its complex 3-4 defensive scheme ... a finalist for the 2008 Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker ... third-team All-American by the Associated Press ... a first-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press, Sporting News, SEC coaches and Phil Steele ... started all 14 games in 2008 ... made a team-high 95 tackles while being the focal point of opponent's blocking schemes ... ranked 12th in the SEC at 6.8 tackles per game ... recorded 12 tackles for loss (-45) that ranked seventh in the league and 3.0 sacks (-22) ... had six pass breakups, an interception and two fumble recoveries ... was on the Lombardi Award watch list ... earned the Alabama Coaches' Defensive Player of the Week Award nine times in 14 games... ESPN.com's Chris Low called him the best middle linebacker in college football ... led a defense that held its opponent under 100 yards rushing in 11-of-14 games and to 60 yards or less eight times ... Alabama's ranked second nationally in rushing defense at 74.1 yards per game and third in total defense at 263.5 yards per game ... named the Crimson Tide's Outstanding Defensive Performer and Defensive Player of the Year by the team ... was a first-team midseason All-American by Phil Steele ... earned Academic All-SEC honors. Clemson: McClain registered three total tackles, including a solo stop as the Alabama defense held the Tigers to no offensive touchdowns, zero yards rushing and just 188 total yards. Tulane: He was all over the field in UA's 20-6 win over Tulane with a team-, season- and career-high 15 tackles ... made 10 solo stops, two tackles for loss (-5) and had a pass breakup ... the 15 tackles vs. Tulane is the second most in a single game in the SEC this season ... earned defensive player of the week honors for his work by the Alabama coaching staff. Western Kentucky: McClain logged three tackles in the Tide's 41-7 romp over the Hilltoppers ... notched his third tackle for loss of the season for six yards ... Alabama's defense held WKU to just 158 total yards and a mere 42 on the ground. Arkansas: He made four solo stops and eight total tackles against the Hogs and was named one of the Crimson Tide's Defensive Players of the Week. Georgia: McClain made his presence felt with a team-high five tackles ... had four solo stops and half of a tackle for loss (-2) ... had two pass breakups after the Tide shut down the Bulldogs` running game (50 yards on 16 carries) and took a commanding 31-0 halftime lead that forced them to pass. Kentucky: He made a team-high 10 tackles with four solo stops ... recovered a first-quarter fumble and returned it four yards for a touchdown ... helped the Crimson Tide hold the Wildcats to just 35 yards rushing. Mississippi: McClain made four tackles and broke up his second pass of the season against the Rebels ... he also had his second quarterback hurry of the year. Tennessee: He was the focal point of the Volunteers' blocking scheme but still managed to make four tackles with half of a TFL (-1) ... matched a season and career high with two pass breakups ... led a defense that surrendered just 173 total yards, including just 36 on the ground ... was the fifth time during the season that the Crimson Tide allowed 50 or less yards rushing and the seventh time it held its opponent under 100 yards rushing. Arkansas State: McClain made six total tackles with 1.5 TFL (-11) and one sack (-10) ... notched one quarterback hurry ... helped limit the Red Wolves to 158 yards of total offense with 67 yards through the air and just 91 on the ground. LSU: He recorded eight total tackles, including a team- and game-high 2.5 tackles for loss (-6) ... intercepted his first pass of the season and weaved his way for 12 yards on the return, breaking multiple tackles and carrying defenders. Mississippi State: McClain turned in one of those special performances that aren't seen often in college football ... registered 11 total tackles with six solo stops, which was his third double-digit tackle game of the season ... had a career-high two sacks (-12) ... suffered a laceration on his hand breaking up a pass ... missed just part of one series and returned to the game after getting it stitched up at halftime. Auburn: He was all over the field against the Tigers, holding them to just 57 yards rushing and 170 total yards ... notched five total tackles with two solo stops ... recorded one tackle for loss (-1), his 11th of the season and recovered a fumble. Florida: McClain tied for a game-high nine tackles with seven solo stops ... helped limit the high-powered Gators to nearly 100 total yards below their season average. Sugar Bowl vs. Utah: He recorded four tackles, including three solo stops against the Utes ... made one tackle for loss (-1) and broke up one pass by Utah quarterback Brian Johnson. 2007 (FRESHMAN): He was a first-team Sporting News Freshman All-American ... also a first team Freshman All-SEC selection by league coaches ... played in all 13 games with eight starts, including starting in each of the first five games of the season ... was fourth on the team with 75 tackles on the season ... also had five tackles-for-loss, a sack, four pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and two interceptions ... had his best game at Auburn in the regular-season finale ... recorded a career-high 15 tackles to lead the team against the Tigers ... also made his first career interception and returned it 23 yards to the Auburn 19-yard line in the second quarter of the Iron Bowl game ... made five stops, including 0.5 for loss, to go with two pass breakups and his second pick against Colorado in the PetroSun Independence Bowl ... intercepted a pass on the first CU play from scrimmage, returning it 17 yards to set up an Alabama field goal and played the remainder of the game with a broken thumb ... had 11 tackles, including six solo stops and one for a loss against Georgia ... had eight tackles, including one TFL, against Florida State ... made eight tackles in the win over Arkansas ... recorded seven stops against No. 3 LSU ... had seven tackles, including one for loss, to go with a pass breakup in his collegiate debut against Western Carolina ... made six stops, including a sack and a pass breakup, at Vanderbilt ... earned coaches Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors at Auburn ... McClain was awarded the 2008 Lee Roy Jordan Headhunter award following 2008 spring practice. HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: McClain was one of the top linebackers in the nation as a prep at Decatur High School ... ranked No. 25 among all players by Rivals.com ... listed second among all inside linebackers nationally by Rivals.com ... was the No. 1 player in the state according to Rivals.com ... one of 13 linebackers on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top 100 list ... ranked as the No. 10 linebacker nationally on Scout.com ... Orlando Sentinel 2006 All-Southern team member ... a Parade All-American ... selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ... tallied 106 tackles and 13 for loss as a senior ... also earned All-State honors as a tight end on offense ... an All-Region 8 linebacker selection ... had 104 tackles, including 11 for loss, with four sacks, an interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a junior ... also had 24 catches for 436 yards in his junior season ... also started on the basketball team ... coached by Jere Adcock.
MALCOLM SHEPPARD, DT, ARKANSAS SENIOR BAINBRIDGE, GA.
Considered by the UA coaches to have the best work ethic on the team, Sheppard is a leader who is one of just two defensive tackles representing his University at this year's SEC Media event.
OUTLOOK: An All-Southeastern Conference selection last year and a pre-season candidate this season, Sheppard returns to anchor what could be a solid defensive front for the Razorbacks. The SEC's third-leading sacker last year, he earned second-team All-SEC honors from the league's coaches and the AP, and third-team honors from Phil Steele. He has 26 starts, 119 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks for his career. He had one tackle, a two-yard TFL, in the Red-White Spring Game. In four scrimmages and the spring game combined, he had nine tackles with three TFLs for nine yards, including a five-yard sack.
2008: He started 12 games for the second straight year and finished second on the team with 65 tackles. Sheppard played end at the end of the 2007 season, but was back at tackle in 2008, where he earned second-team All-SEC honors from the league's coaches and AP, and third-team honors from Phil Steele. He had 47 solo tackles and 18 assisted stops. He led the team with 6.0 sacks (for 30 yards) and 13.5 TFLs (for 50 yards). He was second in the SEC with 1.33 TFLs per game and third with 0.62 sacks. He also led the team with 11 quarterback hurries, and forced two fumbles and had one pass breakup. He averaged 6.7 tackles per game over the last six contests. - He had five tackles with a forced fumble and two hurries in the opener against Western Illinois. Against Louisiana-Monroe, he made seven tackles with a half sack for two yards, 1.5 TFLs for four yards and a hurry. He had three solo tackles and a hurry against Alabama and two solo tackles at Texas. He made four tackles with a seven-yard sack against Florida. At Auburn, he had four tackles with a three-yard TFL and two hurries. He had a team-high eight tackles at Kentucky, including a four-yard sack and two TFLs for five yards, and added a forced fumble, a pass breakup and one hurry. He made nine tackles against Ole Miss with two TFLs for five yards and a hurry. Against Tulsa, he had five tackles, including a half a TFL, and two hurries. He made six solo tackles at South Carolina with two sacks for nine yards. At MSU, he had four solo tackles with a one-yard sack and a hurry. He ended the season with a team-high eight tackles against LSU, including 1.5 sacks for eight yards and 2.5 TFLs for 15 yards.
2007: He played in 12 games and made 12 starts, missing only the LSU game. He started at tackle in the first four games before moving to left end the rest of the way. He had 42 tackles on the season with a team-high tying 10.5 TFL (-32) along with a team-high 16 quarterback hurries. He also had half a sack (-4), two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. - Sheppard made six tackles in 56 snaps in the opener against Troy with four assisted tackles, two solo stops and a quarterback hurry. It was his first career start at tackle, and his third career start. He followed with six tackles, including two TFL (-3), a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry against Alabama. He forced Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson to give up the ball late in the third quarter, setting up a Hogs' score. Sheppard earned Hogwired.com Defensive Player of the Week honors against the Crimson Tide. He made four solo tackles vs. Kentucky with a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss (-15) in a team-high 83 snaps. Sheppard also forced a fumble and logged two quarterback hurries. The fumble led to Antwain Robinson's 16-yard return for a touchdown. Sheppard played just 37 snaps as the Razorbacks jumped out early on North Texas, but he logged another TFL (-3) to give him 6.5 on the season and the early SEC lead. Sheppard moved back to defensive end for the Chattanooga game and made two tackles with half of a TFL and two quarterback hurries as he adjusted to his new position. He was disruptive along the defensive front vs. Auburn with five tackles and a TFL (-1). Sheppard made five tackles with half of a TFL on 49 plays at Ole Miss. He also logged a team-best four quarterback hurries. Sheppard logged two solo and two assisted tackles in 46 snaps vs. FIU with two quarterback hurries. He made four assisted tackles vs. South Carolina with half of a TFL and a team-best four quarterback hurries. Sheppard made four tackles, three assisted, at No. 22 Tennessee. He also logged 1.5 tackles for loss (-3) with one quarterback hurry. Sheppard played only 20 snaps before twisting an ankle and missing the remainder of the game. He missed the LSU game with a twisted ankle. He started the Cotton Bowl against Missouri, but did not record any statistics.
2006: Sheppard quickly developed into a valuable contributor on the Hogs' defensive front. He worked his way up to second on the depth chart at right defensive end behind Antwain Robinson. He appeared in all 14 games, earning a start in the Southeast Missouri State game when Robinson sat out with a hip flexor. He tallied 12 tackles, including seven solo and five assisted stops. He had 1.0 tackle for loss (-3) and a half sack (-3). He ranked sixth on the team with eight quarterback hurries in his true freshman campaign. - Sheppard made his collegiate debut by logging three snaps in the Razorbacks' season opener against No. 3 USC. His play total expanded to 18 snaps in the Hogs' non-conference win over Utah State. He earned a quarterback hurry against the Aggies. His first tackle of the season came on a solo stop against Vanderbilt. He played seven snaps against the Commodores. Sheppard played 12 snaps against Alabama and recorded an assisted tackle and a quarterback hurry. He quickly heard his named called in the Hogs' 27-10 win at No. 2 Auburn with two tackles on just nine plays from scrimmage. Sheppard got to the quarterback in his first start with 0.5 sack (-3) against Southeast Missouri State. He also made four tackles, three solo, with two quarterback hurries. Sheppard played 28 snaps off the bench against Ole Miss with one solo stop and a quarterback hurry. Sheppard made a solo and assisted tackle against Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock. He played, but did not earn a tackle against South Carolina. Sheppard saw limited action against No. 13 Tennessee, but did pick up a quarterback hurry. He recorded two quarterback hurries at Mississippi State in limited action against the Bulldogs. Sheppard played but did not record any tackles against No. 9 LSU and No. 4 Florida. He tallied his final tackle of the season (assisted) and earned 0.5 tackle for loss in the Razorbacks' loss to No. 7 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl.
HIGH SCHOOL CAREER: He racked up 64 tackles, 15 sacks and one interception in 11 games as a senior for Coach Greg Guy. He helped lead his squad to a playoff berth in his senior campaign. Rivals ranked him as the No. 62 defensive end in the nation. He was the No. 93 prospect in Georgia per Scout. He was a high school teammate of fellow Razorback Ray Dominguez at Bainbridge High School. He chose Arkansas over Southern Miss, South Carolina, South Florida, Alabama-Birmingham, East Carolina and UCF, among others.
PERSONAL: Born Feb. 13, 1988, he is the son of Ricky and Evelyn Sheppard. He is majoring in criminal justice.
Criminal Justice major who hope to follow his father's (Ricky) footsteps into law enforcement eventually. Since high school he runs in the pool to stay in shape. Sheppard's off-season workout regimen includes running in the pool on the Arkansas campus. Hometown of Bainbridge, Ga., is located an hour north of Tallahassee, Fla. At one point, teammates nicknamed him "The Wood," because he brings it every day in the weight room or practice field.
D.J. WILLIAMS, TE, ARKANSAS JUNIOR LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
Williams has been called the "best pass-catching tight end in the nation." His appearance will be the first for any tight end in the league at the SEC Media Day event in three years.
OUTLOOK: Williams should be a threat to capture the Mackey Award after finishing as a semifinalist in 2008. He returns to college football as the only semifinalist that led his team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last year. Many groups listed him as the best tight end in the conference in their preseason publications (Birmingham News, Lindy's, Phil Steele). Williams spent most of the spring focusing on becoming a better blocker. In the second major scrimmage of the spring, he led the team with seven receptions for 64 yards. He caught six passes for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Red-White game. His touchdown came on a nine-yard pass from Ryan Mallett in the first quarter. He is Arkansas' active career leader in receptions (66) and receiving yards (817). He will be a team leader in 2009 and the UA coaching staff will continue to find ways to get the ball in his hands each week.
2008: Williams had a record-setting season that saw him become the first Mackey Award (presented to the nation's top tight end) semifinalist in school history. He was named a SI.com Honorable Mention All-America and he was an All-SEC first-team selection by the Associated Press and a second-team honoree by the coaches. The Little Rock Touchdown Club named Williams the team MVP for the 2008 season. Williams played in all 12 games and started nine in 2008. He finished as the team leader in receptions (61), receiving yards (723) and receiving touchdowns (3). He set school records for catches by a tight end in a season (61) and in a game (10 for 129 vs. Ole Miss). His 61 catches and 723 receiving yards ranked sixth among all tight ends nationally in 2008. His 24 catches and 275 yards against Top 25 teams were the third-highest totals for any tight end in the nation in 2008. Nearly half of his catches resulted in a first down for the Razorbacks (29 of 61, 47.5 pct.) and he accounted for nearly 25 percent of Arkansas' receptions and receiving yards in 2008. Set a then-career high in receiving yards (124), touchdowns (2) against Louisiana-Monroe. He caught the game-winning eight-yard pass with 1:22 left on the clock and had a career-long catch of 76 yards in the contest. The reception was the second-longest by any tight end in the nation in 2008. He had six receptions for 129 yards in the victory over No. 19 Tulsa, which was his third 100-yard receiving game of the season.
2007: A backup at tight end to Andrew Davie, he played in every game except the Cotton Bowl. He was Arkansas' lone starting tight end against Kentucky and started along with Davie in a two-tight end set against Chattanooga. For the year, he had five receptions for 94 yards, and was named to the SEC All-Freshmen first team. His 18.8 yards-per-catch average ranked third on the team. - Williams came off the bench to haul in his first career catch for 16 yards in the season opener against Troy. His catch marked a first down and led to a Darren McFadden rushing touchdown. He did not record any statistics as a reserve tight end against Alabama. Two of Casey Dick's passes were intended for him but he was unable to haul them in. He made one tackle after a Casey Dick pass was intercepted in the first quarter. In his start against Kentucky, he made one catch for 24 yards. His catch on Arkansas' first play of the game led to a first down and extended the drive to Alex Tejada's field goal kick. He logged time at tight end against North Texas. He made one catch for 28 yards, a career long. His catch was good for an Arkansas first down. Starting at tight end with Davie, Williams did not record any stats but blocked the way for McFadden and Jones to record 100-yard rushing games against Chattanooga. He made one catch for 14 yards against Auburn. In the Ole Miss, FIU, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi State games, he logged time at tight end but did not record any stats. Against No. 1 LSU, he made one catch for 12 yards and a first down. His catch extended the drive that led to a Peyton Hillis rushing touchdown.
HIGH SCHOOL CAREER: He was a member of the AP Arkansas Super Team and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas squad as a linebacker. The three-year starter played in only eight games as a senior due to an injury, but still managed to record 103 tackles, including 69 solo stops, eight sacks and two forced fumbles. As a junior, he caught 51 passes for 688 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 19 carries for 82 yards and added 132 tackles for Coach Tim Perry. His team won the state title his sophomore season with Williams contributing 80 tackles, eight tackles for loss, seven sacks and one recovered fumble. Rivals ranked him the No. 9 tight end in the nation, a four-star prospect and the No. 4 prospect in Arkansas. HawgSports.com listed him at No. 3 on its Natural 21 list. Scout listed him as a four-star prospect, the No. 14 tight end in the country and the No. 4 overall player in the state. Hawgs Illustrated also ranked him No. 4 in the state. He signed with Arkansas after also considering Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 10, 1988, he is the son of Vicky Williams. He is majoring in communications. His first name is David.
Is majoring in communications and after football plans for a career in public relations or broadcast journalism. Lists home town as Little Rock, Ark. When he was about to enter fifth grade, his mother, older sister (Vanessa) and D.J. left Carrollton, Texas. Vicky did not have time to pack the car, but grabbed her two youngest children to escape her abusive husband. D.J. was given a map and he pointed to Little Rock as the place the three would move to. Mother (Vicky) volunteers at the Women & Children First Center for Family Violence in Little Rock, Ark. Had the word "Faith" tattooed on his left shoulder in the summer of 2008 because it is what has carried him and his family. Enjoys playing piano after his sister gave him a keyboard and he played the drums in his high school band. Is a big supporter of all of the athletic programs at the UA. He was front row and center at several Arkansas basketball games last year, wearing a cape, basketball jersey and headband. Involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
ANTONIO COLEMAN, DE, AUBURN SENIOR MOBILE, ALA.
CAREER - Has registered at least one tackle for loss in 16 of his last 25 games played ... Is one sacks shy of moving into tie for 10th in career sacks with Stanley McClover (2004-05) with 15.5. 2008 - Coaches' All-SEC First Team ... Associated Press All-SEC First Team ... Phil Steele's All-SEC First Team ... Named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (9-29) for performance against Tennessee ... Finished seventh in SEC, 59th in NCAA, in sacks per game (0.55), 12th in SEC, 96th in NCAA, in TFL's per game (0.95) ... Played in 11 games, all starts ... Finished with seventh-most tackles on team with 46 ... Led team with 10.5 TFL's and 6.0 sacks ... In season opener vs. Louisiana-Monroe, registered two TFL's (-7), one QB sack (-5), two QB hurries and one forced fumble that was returned for a TD by Michael Goggans ... Recorded a sack, a QB hurry and six total tackles in victory against Southern Miss ... Had one tackle, a 7-yard QB sack vs. Mississippi State ... Registered three tackles, two solo, including 1.5 TFL's for minus three yards vs. LSU ... Also had four QB hurries vs. LSU ... Had four total tackles, three solo, inlcuding 1.5 TFL's (minus 7 yards) and 1.0 sacks (minus 4 yards) vs. Tennessee ... Against Vanderbilt, had five tackles (four solo) but did not register a TFL for the first time this season ... Recorded five tackles, four solo, including 2.0 TFL's for minus 3 yards, 1.0 sacks for minus 2 yards and four QB hurries against Arkansas ... Led team with six tackles, five solo, vs. West Virginia ... Also had a sack for minus seven yards and half a TFL for minus 1 yard vs. WVA ... Had five tackles, two solo, with one QB hurry vs. Ole Miss ... Had one QB hurry to go with three tackles, two solo, vs. Georgia ... Against Alabama, had three assisted tackles and one pass break-up ... Finished tied for fifth in SEC in sacks per game (0.55), and ninth in TFL's per game (0.95).2007 - Rivals.com Second Team All-SEC ... Named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (Oct. 29) for his performance vs. Ole Miss ... Led team with 18.5 (-84) TFL's and 8.5 (-54) quarterback sacks ... In last nine games of season had 14.5 tackles for loss (-64) ... Had at least one TFL in nine of 13 games and multiple TFL games seven times ... Fourth in SEC in tackles for loss (18.5) and tied for fifth in sacks (8.5) ... Had three or more tackles in seven of 13 games ... Made first career start in Vanderbilt game, tallying three stops including two tackles for loss (-7) .... Celebrated 21st birthday by recovering a fumble and returning it 34 yards with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter to seal 23-13 come-from-behind victory against Kansas State ... Had three tackles in South Florida loss, including first career quarterback sack (-12) ... Tallied two tackles, including quarterback sack (-4) against Mississippi State ... Notched five tackles, two tackles for loss (-4) and quarterback sack (-2) against New Mexico State ... Recorded a TFL and sack in three consecutive games in Sept., tallying 4.0 tackles for loss (-20) and 3.0 quarterback sacks (-18) during last three contests ... Three tackles, two for loss (-15) and one sack (-9) at Arkansas ... Set career highs vs. Georgia with eight tackles, all solo, and 4.0 tackles for loss ... Had one QB hurry and one pass break up to go with two tackles vs. Alabama... Recorded two tackles with 1.5 (-6) sacks against Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. 2006 - Finished with 18 tackles and six quarterback hurries ... Totaled three solo tackles against Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl ... Finished with two tackles against Alabama, including one for loss (-3) ... Posted two solo tackles against Georgia ... Finished with two tackles and two quarterback hurries against Arkansas State ... Posted two tackles, including one solo, against Florida ... Credited with a team-leading two quarterback hurries against LSU ... Played in his first career game against Washington State and made three solo tackles. 2005 - Redshirted. HIGH SCHOOL - High School Coach: Bobby Parrish ... Garnered 147 tackles and 23 sacks as a senior … Led his team to a 10-3 record and to the quarterfinals of the playoffs … Birmingham News Super Seniors … All-State honors … Alabama Sports Writers Association's Super 12 … Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 … SuperPrep Dixie Team … PrepStar All-Region ... Awarded honorable mention All-Southern Football Team by the Orlando Sentinel … Montgomery Advertiser All-State football team … Alabama Sports Writers Association 5A Lineman of the Year … Scout.com top 75 Defensive Ends … Rivals.com Outside Linebackers Top 50 … Rivals.com Alabama Top 25 … Also played basketball and ran track. PERSONAL - Born Sept. 1, 1986 … Son of Olivia Coleman ... Major: Criminology.
TOMMY TROTT, TE, AUBURN SENIOR MONTGOMERY, ALA.
2008 - Started 11 games before missing final game due to injury ... Finished tied for third-most receptions on team with 20 ... Finished with fifth-most receiving yardage on team with 201 ... Averaged 10.7 yards per catch for season ... Started at tight end in season opener vs. Louisiana-Monroe but did not have a reception vs. Warhawks ... Hauled in three passes for 44 yards vs. Southern Miss ... Tied career-high with three catches (19 yards) vs. Tennessee ... Had one catch for eight yards vs. Vanderbilt ... Caught a pair of passes for 31 yards, including a long of 33 yards vs. Arkansas ... The 33-yard reception was a career long ... Led team with 34 yards receiving and four catches vs. West Virginia ... His four catches were a career-best ... Matched career-high with four catches against Ole Miss for 26 yards ... Tied for team high wiht three catches vs. UT Martin ... Three grabs went for 39 yards vs. Skyhawks ... Has 13 catches for 130 yards in the last four games (Arkansas, West Virginia, Ole Miss, UT Martin) ... Missed Alabama due to injury suffered in first half of Georgia game.SPRING 2008 - Presented the Eddie Welch Attitude and Effort Award on offense by the coaching staff following spring drills ... Received Most Improved Grade Point Average Award.2007 - Appeared in every game with two starts ... Four grabs for 35 yards .... Had one catch for 6 yards against Kansas State ... Also had a fumble recovery during go-ahead possession in the fourth quarter to keep drive alive ... Broke a four-game catchless streak with a 16-yard grab against Vanderbilt ... Returned one kickoff for 13 yards vs. Alabama... Had one catch for four yards vs. Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. 2006 - The Sporting News SEC All-Freshman Team ... The Sporting News Freshman All-America Honorable Mention ... Caught 10 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns ... Finished with two receptions for 21 yards against Ole Miss ... Caught a 27-yard touchdown pass at the 14:51 mark of the second quarter against Tulane ... Started and caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown against South Carolina ... Connected with Brandon Cox for his first career touchdown reception, a 9-yarder, in the second quarter against the Gamecocks ... Caught his first career pass against LSU, a 2-yarder.2005 - Redshirted ... Played against South Carolina and Ball State.HIGH SCHOOL - High School Coach: Randy Ragsdale ... Racked up 1,125 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2004 ... Led his team to a 12-1 record and to the quarterfinals of the playoffs ... Also made 68 tackles and eight sacks at defensive end his senior year ... Caught 57 passes for 1,153 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior year while leading his team to a state title ... U.S. Army All-American Bowl Nominee ... Alabama High School Athletic Association's 4-A Back of the Year ... Lemming All-American Team ... Lemming All-Southeast Team ... SuperPrep All-America 279 ... SuperPrep Dixie Team ... PrepStar All-American ... ESPN.com's Top 25 Class of 2005 Tight Ends ... Lemming's Top 100 ... Alabama's Gatorade Player of the Year ... Named to the All-Southern Football Team by the Orlando Sentinel ... Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 ... Montgomery Advertiser All-State football team and Class 4A Player of the Year ... 2004 Tampa Tribune Best of the South team ... Birmingham News Super Seniors ... Alabama Sports Writers Association's Super 12 ... The South Insiders Hot 100 ... Scout.com Alabama Top 30 ... Scout.com top 5 tight ends and defensive ends ... Rivals.com Top 10 Tight Ends ... Rivals.com Alabama Top 25 ... Played pitcher on the baseball team and averaged 15 points a game in basketball. PERSONAL - Born Sept. 17, 1986 ... Son of Debbie and Marvin Trott ... Father, Marvin lettered at center for the Tigers from 1975-77 ... Major: Public Administration.
BRANDON SPIKES, LB, FLORIDA SENIOR SHELBY, N.C.
CAREER: Has appeared in 35 games with 27 starts at linebacker...Collected 239 total tackles (142 solo) in his first three seasons...Registered 25 tackles for loss, including 3.5 QB sacks...Has forced one fumble, recovered three fumbles and has four interceptions returned for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
HONORS/AWARDS
2008 * Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist * Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist * Lombardi Award Semifinalist * Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist * Butkus Award Watch List * SEC Defensive Player of the Week (10/13 - LSU) * 2008 Team Captain * 2008 UF Football Leadership Committee * Preseason First Team All-SEC (Football Time in Tennessee) * Preseason All-SEC Team (Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook) * Preseason Second Team All-American (Phil Steele) * Preseason First Team All-SEC (Phil Steele) * Preseason Second Team All-American (Athlon) * Preseason First Team All-SEC (Athlon) * Preseason First Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches) * Preseason First Team All-SEC (Media)
2007 * A first-team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches and the AP * A second-team All-SEC honoree by Rivals.com * 2007 UF Football Leadership Committee
2008: Named a consensus first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC performer...Named a team captain for the 2008 season and was a member of the 2008 UF Football Leadership Committee...Selected as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award...One of only five linebackers in the nation with two interception returns for touchdowns last season...Two interceptions returned for a touchdown in a season tied the school record...Had four interceptions against top-25 teams, which tied for second among all players nationally and was the most by any linebacker in the country; since 1996 the only other linebackers that have had four interceptions in a season against top-25 teams were Tulsa's Michael LeDet (2004) and Michigan State's T.J. Turner (1999)...His two interceptions against LSU made him one of only 12 linebackers in the country to have two interceptions in a game this year...Starter at middle linebacker led the team with 93 tackles on the season, including 8.0 for a loss of 29 yards...Finished with six tackles in the BCS National Championship Game win over Oklahoma...Recorded seven tackles, two QB hurries and broke up one pass in the SEC Championship game against Alabama...Collected his fourth interception of the season on the first play of the second half against Florida State and returned it 26 yards, while also leading the team with six tackles...Intercepted a pass in the first quarter against South Carolina and returned it 12 yards for his second touchdown of the year...Led the Gators with seven tackles against Vanderbilt, including two for a loss of eight yards...Named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against LSU, where he had his first career interception in the first quarter...On the first play of the fourth quarter, he added his second interception, which he returned 52-yards for the first touchdown of his career, at any level...Had a streak of 11 consecutive games with a tackle for loss end against LSU...Against Ole Miss, had eight tackles in the first half for the second game in a row on his way to a season-high 13 tackles...Led the team with 10 tackles in the win over Tennessee, including one tackle for loss...Made his season debut against Miami and recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of three yards...Missed the first game of the season due to a foot injury...A consensus preseason first-team All-SEC pick...2007: Started in all 13 games at middle linebacker, leading the team in tackles 10 times...Was a First-Team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches and the AP...Garnered Second-Team All-SEC Honors by Rivals.com...Led the team with 131 total tackles (81 solo)...Placed second in the SEC in total tackles...Ranked second on the team and sixth in the SEC in tackles for loss with 16 tackles for a loss of 36 yards…Also led the team and tied for third in the SEC in fumble recoveries with three on the season, including two in the victory over South Carolina and one versus Michigan...Had a career-high 14 tackles (nine solo) versus Vanderbilt...Tallied seven or more total tackles in all 13 games on the season...Never collected less than three solo tackles in a game all season...Had at least one tackle for a loss in seven consecutive games to end the season...Registered his first career sack in the win over Troy and added a half a sack against Auburn...Had seven pass deflections on the season...Member of the Leadership Committee...2006: Played in nine games, including one start...Took the field at linebacker during the Gators' win over Ohio State in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game...Saw action at linebacker in the SEC Championship Game against Arkansas...Made a career-high six tackles and broke up a pass in his first career start against Western Carolina...Saw significant time at linebacker in the win over South Carolina, finishing with three tackles and Florida's lone tackle for loss...Assisted on a tackle in the win over Alabama...Had two solo tackles against Kentucky, while also breaking up his first career pass...Made a solo tackle versus UCF...Entered the Southern Miss game on the second series and made a solo tackle on his first collegiate play; finished with two tackles...PREP: Four-year starter at linebacker and defensive end for Crest Senior High School...Listed as the No. 1 prospect in North Carolina in 2006 by Rivals.com...Considered the No. 13 linebacker prospect by Rivals.com...Rated as the No. 6 overall prospect in the country according to Scout.com...Selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Game...Was a team captain and totaled 74 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions as a senior...Moved to linebacker during his sophomore season and stayed there ever since...Lost 30 pounds from his playing weight as junior...Helped lead Crest High School to the North Carolina state semifinal round as a senior...Posted 98 tackles, including three sacks, seven interceptions and forced five fumbles from his linebacker position...Chose Florida over Alabama, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech...PERSONAL: Was born on Sept. 3, 1987...MAJOR: Anthropology.
TIM TEBOW, QB, FLORIDA SENIOR JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
A true senior quarterback who enrolled at Florida in January of 2006…Dual-threat quarterback who enjoyed a record-breaking 2007 season on a national, conference and school level
Notables: Only sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy, the Sullivan Award, the Davey O'Brien Award and the Maxwell Award (2007)…Only player in NCAA history to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in a season…First sophomore in UF history to be named an All-American (2007)…First UF quarterback to be named an All-American (2007) since Rex Grossman in 2001…The first UF player to be named a first-team Academic All-American selection (2007) in over a decade… Second player to repeat as Maxwell Award winner in 2007 and 2008.
2009 University of Florida Hall of Fame Inductee: April 16, 2009 Nominated for the Florida Blue Key leadership honorary
2008 Manning Award Winner Maxwell Award Winner Heisman Trophy Finalist Wuerffel Trophy Winner Disney's Wide World of Sports® Spirit Award Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist Wooden Cup Winner Walter Camp Player of the Year Finalist U.S. Sports Academy Male Athlete of the Year Finalist Sullivan Award Winner SEC Offensive Player of the Year SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year First-Team All-SEC Selection (Coaches') - QB AP Offensive Player of the Year AP First-Team All-SEC - QB AP Third-Team All-American - QB Sports Illustrated All-American Honorable Mention - QB Pro Football Weekly All-American Honorable Mention - QB Phil Steele Second-Team All-American - QB ESPY Award Winner: Best Male College Athlete First-team Academic All-District Honors from ESPN The Magazine ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American of the Year ESPN The Magazine First-Team Academic All-American SEC Offensive Player of the Week (11/10 - Vanderbilt) U.S. Army All-American Bowl College Player of the Week (11/3 - Georgia) 2008 Rivals.com Third-Team All-American The Sporting News' SEC Offensive MVP The Sporting News' Second-Team All-American - QB AT&T All-American Player of the Year Nominee 2008 Team Captain 2008 UF Football Leadership Committee Preseason First Team All-SEC (Football Time in Tennessee) Preseason All-SEC Team (Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook) Offensive Player of the Year (Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook) Preseason First Team All-American (Phil Steele) Preseason First Team All-SEC (Phil Steele) Preseason First Team All-American (Athlon) Preseason First Team All-SEC (Athlon) Preseason First Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches) Preseason First Team All-SEC (Media)
2007 Heisman Trophy Winner Davey O'Brien Award Winner Maxwell Award Winner Walter Camp All-American Finalist for the Manning Award (presented by AllState Sugar Bowl) 2007 first-team AP All-American All-SEC first-team (Coaches' and AP) selection AP SEC Offensive Player of the Year SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll ESPN.com Academic All-American first-team selection ESPN.com All-American ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American first-team selection CBS Sportsline.com National Offensive Player of the Year All-American offensive selection by the Football Writers Association of America and CBS Sportsline.com First-team All-SEC honoree by CollegeFootballNews.com and Phil Steele Three-time SEC Offensive Player of the Week (South Carolina, Ole Miss, Troy) SEC Football Community Service Team Honoree Two-time Walter Camp Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week (Tennesee & South Carolina) First-team All-American honoree by The Sporting News, SI.com, CollegeFootballNews.com and Phil Steele Rivals.com first-team All-American, SEC Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-SEC selection Atlanta Touchdown Club's Outstanding Offensive Back in the Southeast region 2007 Florida High School Athletic Association's All-Century High School Football Team Member of the 2007 UF Football Leadership Committee
2006 2006 All-SEC Freshman team honoree Freshman All-America honorable mention by The Sporting News The Sporting News SEC All-Freshman Team selection Member of the 2006 UF Football Leadership Committee
CAREER RECORDS/STREAKS/RANKINGS Notables: Has thrown for 6,390 yards and 67 touchdowns in three seasons, while having also gained 2,037 yards on the ground with 43 rushing touchdowns, both school records by a Florida quarterback… Is the only quarterback in school history to have rushed for 100 yards in three games (South Carolina 2007, Ole Miss 2007 & Oklahoma, 2008)
2008 Ranks first in the school's record book for the most career rushing touchdowns (43) Additionally tied for sixth in the SEC in rushing touchdowns Tebow's 26-yard touchdown run against Vanderbilt was the longest of his career Set a career-high passing attempts (38) against Ole Miss Threw a 70-yard career-long touchdown lob to running back/wide receiver Percy Harvin against LSU Set a career high with 38 passing attempts and threw for a season-high 319 yards vs. Ole Miss Set a school-record for 230 passing attempts without a pick, also the third-longest SEC streak Surpassed former Gator coach Steve Spurrier (5,290) on Florida's all-time offensive yardage list for ninth place with 5,493 after collecting 311 total offensive yards against Miami
2007 Only player in NCAA history to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in a season Ran a 14-game streak with at least one rushing and one passing touchdown, the longest streak in NCAA history nationally and the longest by any player according to research dating back to 1996 SEC and NCAA single-season rushing touchdown leader by a quarterback (23) Was accountable for an SEC record 55 touchdowns as a sophomore (32 passing and 23 rushing) Owned the SEC's top offensive performance, with 427 yards compiled against Ole Miss Is the UF single season record-holder in total offense, racking up 4,181 yards Threw for a career-high four touchdowns in the Gators' road win over Kentucky Set personal bests in completions (25), passing yards (337) against Florida Atlantic Rushed for a career-high five touchdowns against South Carolina, also a UF single-game rushing touchdown record (five) Set a UF single-game scoring record by putting up 30 points against South Carolina Accounted for seven total touchdowns against USC, tying Danny Wuerffel, Doug Johnson and Terry Dean for the single-game school record Matched the Florida single-season record of rushing touchdowns held by Emmitt Smith and Buford Long with two rushing scores against Vanderbilt Tebow's 166 yards garnered on the ground against Ole Miss were a school record by a quarterback and his 27 rushing attempts were a career-high and national best mark in 2007
2006 Tebow joined former Gator QBs Chris Leak and Cris Collinsworth as the only true UF freshmen quarterbacks to be responsible for scores in a season opener when he rallied for a one-yard rush in the 2006 opener against Southern Miss
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS 2008: Selected as a team captain for the 2008 season… His three rushing touchdowns in the Gators' victory over Georgia propelled him to first place in the school record book with 39 rushing touchdowns, a mark previously held by Emmitt Smith (36)…Ranks ninth in the SEC record book for career rushing touchdowns (43) and is five scores away from the record…Ranked first in the SEC in passing efficiency (172.37) and second in total offense (3,419 yards/244.2 yards per game)… Leads the Gators in total offense (244.2 average/game), rushing attempts (176) and rushing yards (673)…Was 18-of-30 for 231 yards and two touchdowns in the Gators' 24-14 win over top-ranked Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game… Notched his third 100+ yard rushing performance of his career after tallying 109 on the ground with one score…Led Florida to its eighth SEC title over No. 1 Alabama, tossing three touchdowns, connecting on 14-of-22 passes for 216 yards and rushing for a team-high 57 yards in the victory…Led the squad in total offense, rushing attempts (154) and was third with 564 rushing yards…Accounted for three TDs in the win at Florida State, including three passing and one on the ground…For the second-consecutive game, accounted for five touchdowns at Vanderbilt, going 12-for-17 for 171 yards with three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns… Accounted for five touchdowns in the win over Georgia, as he was 10-for-13 for 154 yards with two scores passing and rushed for three himself…Set a career-high for longest pass after connecting with Percy Harvin for a 70-yard touchdown toss against LSU…Helped lead Florida to gain 186 total offensive yards in the first quarter against defending national champion LSU, more than double the offensive yardage in any first quarter this season…School record of 203 pass attempts without an interception ended with a pick in the third quarter versus Arkansas, also the third-longest streak in SEC history…Set a career high with 38 passing attempts and threw for a season-high 319 yards versus Ole Miss…Surpassed Steve Spurrier (5,290) on Florida's all-time offensive yardage list for ninth place with 5,493 after collecting 311 total offensive yards against Miami… Scored his first rushing touchdown of the season on a one-yard rush with 1:06 remaining in the second quarter versus Ole Miss…NCAA-record streak of 14 games with a rushing touchdown and passing TD ended against Hawaii…Connected with Louis Murphy on a 48-yard pass for his first passing touchdown of the season.
2007: Started all 13 games in his first season as a starter…Engineered the third-ranked scoring offense in the nation and top-ranked offense in the SEC, averaging 42.5 points and 457.2 yards per game…Led the SEC and was second in the nation in passing efficiency (172.46)…Completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,286 yards with only six interceptions on 350 attempts while throwing for 32 touchdowns…Led Florida in rushing with 895 yards on the ground and 23 touchdowns…Went over the century mark in rushing in two games and threw for threw for touchdowns or more in 11 of 13 contests…Accounted for 55 total touchdowns which ranks as the most in a season in school history and in SEC single-season history, 32 passing and 23 rushing …Topped on the team in rushing attempts (210) and yards (895)…Recorded a streak of 14-consecutive games with a rushing touchdown dating back to the BCS National Championship Game, the longest streak nationally and the longest by any player according to research dating back to 1996…NCAA single-season record holder for the most rushing touchdowns in a single season by a quarterback (23)…Also is the only player in Div. I history to have rushed and passed at least one touchdown in 14 straight games…Paced the SEC and ranked seventh nationally in total offense, averaging 321.7 yards per game…Owned the SEC's top offensive performance in 2007 with 427 total yards against Ole Miss…Established a then career school record for a quarterback with the most rushing yards (1,364) and rushing touchdowns (23)…Finished the season fourth all-time in the school record book for the most career rushing touchdowns with 31…Led the SEC in rushing touchdowns with 23…The all-time SEC single-season rushing total record-holder with 23 scores on the ground…Was the leading rusher in five of Florida's 13 games…Accounted for four touchdowns in the Capital One Bowl against Michigan, throwing three through the air and rushing for a score on the ground…Dismantled the Florida State defense for five total touchdowns and 541 yards of total offense…Chipped in 89 yards of rushing against the Seminole defense and two rushing scores while playing through a broken right hand suffered in the third quarter…Opened the Florida scoring against FSU, spinning out of a near sack and running for a season long 23-yard touchdown…Accounted for four total touchdowns against Florida Atlantic, surpassing 3,000 career passing yards in his career…Set career highs against FAU in completions (25) and passing yards (338)…Threw for a then career-high 304 yards against South Carolina, tying his then personal-best mark of 22 completions set one week earlier against Vanderbilt…Set Florida' s single-game rushing touchdown record with five against South Carolina, surpassing four players who had four in a game…Set a UF single-game scoring record by putting up 30 points against South Carolina…Accounted for seven total touchdowns against South Carolina, tying Danny Wuerffel, Doug Johnson and Terry Dean for the single-game school record…Completed a then career-high 22 passes against Vanderbilt while totaling five touchdowns…Matched the Florida single-season record of rushing touchdowns held by Emmitt Smith and Buford Long with two rushing scores against Vanderbilt…Completed passes longer than 19 yards to five different receivers against Georgia…Threw for a then career-best four touchdowns in the upset victory over Kentucky…Included in the win against the Wildcats was a then career-long 66-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy…His 166 yards garnered on the ground against Ole Miss were a school record by a quarterback and his 27 rushing attempts were a career-high and national best mark this season…Guided Florida to a 554-yard offensive outburst in his first career conference start against Tennessee…Blitzed the Western Kentucky defense in his first career start, throwing for three touchdowns and a then career-high 300 yards…His 338 yards of total offense against the Hilltoppers ranked as the 10th-best single-game offensive yardage total at Florida Field…Member of the 2007 Leadership Committee.
2006: Played in all 14 games…Ranked second on Florida with 469 yards rushing on 89 attempts (5.3 avg.) and led the team with eight rushing touchdowns…Was 22-for-33 passing for 358 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in 14 games…His 5.3 average yards per carry was second nationally among quarterbacks behind West Virginia's Pat White (7.4)…Proved to be a double threat in the BCS National Championship Game against Ohio State, rushing 10 times for 39 yards and a TD and going 1-for-1 with a TD pass to Andre Caldwell with 23 seconds remaining until halftime…Rushed eight times for 31 yards in the SEC title game against Arkansas, with a long run of nine yards…Enjoyed a strong effort in the shutout of Western Carolina, as he was 10-for-12 for a then career-high 200 yards passing and threw a pair of touchdown passes to Riley Cooper (55, 20)…Also gained 47 yards on six carries, including a pair of touchdown runs (20, 1)…Burst through with a 12-yard touchdown run with 3:03 left against South Carolina and the successful extra point provided the Gators with a 17-16 victory…Converted a 4th-and-1 on the winning drive against USC with a six-yard rush, while gaining 29 yards on five rushing attempts, a 5.8-yard average…Had six rushes for 38 yards at Vanderbilt, including a team-best run of 25 yards… Was 1-for-3 passing for five yards…Set up the Gators' first touchdown against Georgia with a 20-yard run down to the Bulldogs' 14-yard line…The rush was the longest surrendered by UGA in the contest…Raced into the end zone from 16 yards out on his first carry at Auburn, giving the Gators a 17-8 lead…Scored on a one-yard run against LSU and was 2-for-2 passing with the first two TD throws of his career…Threw a one-yard jump pass to Tate Casey with 22 seconds remaining until the half to put UF ahead to stay…Connected with Louis Murphy on a 35-yard score with 12:05 left in the third quarter to give the Gators a 23-7 lead…Gained 35 yards on nine rushes (3.9 avg.), including a long of 15 yards…Carried nine times for 28 yards and scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the 28-13 win over Alabama…Completed his only passing attempt against the Crimson Tide with a 23-yard completion to Jemalle Cornelius…Electrified The Swamp with a then career-high 73 yards rushing on six carries (12.2 avg.) against Kentucky, featuring a pair of 25-yard runs…Totaled 62 yards on his first three carries versus the Wildcats and also completed a 12-yard pass to Dallas Baker…Gained 29 yards on seven rushes (4.1 avg.), with a long of 10 at Tennessee… Converted a key 4th-and-1 conversion with a two-yard run on the Gators' game-winning drive…Led the Gators with 62 yards rushing on nine attempts (6.9 avg.) versus UCF, highlighted by a 29-yard rush that was UF's longest carry of the season…Was 6-for-9 for 81 yards against UCF…His first career passing attempt was an 11-yard completion to Kenneth Tookes in the second quarter against Central Florida…Made his collegiate debut in the fourth quarter against Southern Miss and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run…Joined Chris Leak and Cris Collinsworth as the only true UF freshman quarterbacks to be responsible for scores in the season openers…Leak threw a 16-yard pass to Kelvin Kight in the 2003 debut against San Jose State and Collinsworth had a 99-yard scoring toss in the 1977 opener with Rice…Member of the 2006 Leadership Committee.
PREP: Was named to the 2007 Florida High School Athletic Association's All-Century High School Football Team…Earned 2006 Parade All-American honors…Participated in the U.S. Army All-American Game and CaliFlorida All-Star Game…Back-to-back first-team 3A (2004) and 4A (2005) all-state selections at quarterback…Threw for 9,940 yards and 95 touchdowns as a three-year starter as quarterback for Nease High School…Rushed for 3,169 yards and 63 scores in his prep career…Set the Florida state record with 4,286 yards passing his junior year…Was a team captain and helped lead Nease to a 13-2 record as a senior en route to leading the school to its first-ever Class 4A state championship…In the state championship game, was involved in a state championship game-record 54 offensive plays (27 passing, 27 rushing) and was involved in six touchdowns in the contest, also a state championship game record…Owns the Florida state prep football records for total offense (12,960), career passing yards (9,940), touchdowns (159) and completed passes (631)…Also owns single season state records in total offense (5,552), passing yards (4,286), touchdown passes (46) and total touchdowns (70)…Also played baseball and basketball at Nease…Chose Florida over Alabama…
PERSONAL: Born Aug. 14, 1987…Active member of the Goodwill Gators who volunteered his time at the Children's Miracle Network at Shands and on a UF Psychiatry visit…Parents are Bob and Pam Tebow…Both parents went to Florida…Youngest of five children… Traveled to the Philippines three-straight summers with his father on mission trips…Was home-schooled.
MAJOR: Family, Youth and Community Sciences
JOE COX, QB, GEORGIA SENIOR CHARLOTTE, N.C.
2009: Completed 9-of-16 passes for 105 yards in spring G-Day game *Earned Coffee County Hustle Award at conclusion of spring drills 2008: Appeared in three games completing 11-of-15 passes for 151 yards & two TDs *Earned SEC Academic Honor Roll and Director's Honor Roll distinction for fall semester *Went 2-for-4 on passing attempts for 27 yards and a TD and made one rush for 13 yards in loss to No. 5 Florida *Connected on 5-of-5 passes for 76 yards vs. Central Michigan *Completed 4-of-6 passes for 48 yards and a TD vs. Georgia Southern 2007: Played in six games going 5-of-15 passing for 56 yards and a TD *Recipient of the Leavy Family & Brunswick News Publishing Co. Scholarship *Completed 7x8 passes for 156 yards and one TD in spring G-Day game *Listed as number two QB at conclusion of spring drills 2006: Appeared in four games with one start coming in win at Ole Miss *Sporting News College Football Player of the Week and SEC Freshman of the Week after the win over Colorado (10-13, 154 yds, 2 TDs) *Made game-winning 20-yard TD pass to Martrez Milner with 46 seconds left to cap a five-play, 43-yard drive to beat Colorado 14-13 *Made debut in win over Western Kentucky going 2-for-3 for 29 yards *Team went 9-4 including a Chick-fil-A Bowl win *Recipient of the Porter Otis Payne Football Scholarship *Completed 12 of 21 passes for 185 yards in annual spring G-Day game 2005: Redshirted *Outstanding Offensive Scout Team Player Award *Recipient of Porter Otis Payne Football Scholarship Endowment *Part of SEC Championship team that went 10-3 High School: Independence, coached by Bill Guiler…2004 Parade Magazine All-America Team SuperPrep All-MidAtlantic Team…2004 Associated Press Prep Football Player of the Year for NC...NC Gatorade Player of the Year in 2004… Invited to the EA Sports Elite 11 Camp for the nation's top QBs...Featured in Feb. 21, 2005, Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" for being the Old Spice Red Zone National High School Player of the Year…AP First-Team All-State and two-time Charlotte Observer Offensive Player of the Year…Played in Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas…31-0 record as starting QB and two-time team captain…NC state record 66 TD passes while leading his team to its fifth consecutive state championship his senior year…Twice named the MVP of the state title game…As a senior completed 240-of-363 passes for 4,509 yards and just five INTs…As a junior threw for 3,983 yards and 43 TDs…No. 7 QB in the country by Rivals.com and ESPN's Tom Lemming…PrepNation 101 All-American Team, Sun-Sentinel All-Southern Team…2004 NCPreps.com All-State, NC Red Zone Player of the Year for leadership and academics. Personal: JOE COX; Born: Nov. 27, 1986; Major: Psychology.
JEFF OWENS, DT, GEORGIA SENIOR SUNRISE, FLA.
2009: Named to 2009 Lott Trophy Watch List * Missed spring drills due to knee injury, expected to be ready for the start of fall drills 2008: Appeared in one game making one start *Registered one tackle before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter vs. Georgia Southern *Pre-season All-America fourth team by Phil Steele; All-SEC second team by Phil Steele, Lindy's, Athlon; All-SEC third team by SEC Coaches *Named to Outland Trophy, Lott Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Watch Lists 2007: Appeared in 13 games making 13 starts with 27 tackles *Tied a career-high with five tackles vs. No. 18 Auburn *SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (9/17) after performance vs. W. Carolina where he tallied a career-high five tackle including two for loss *Named recipient of Coffee County Hustle Award at end of spring drills *Listed as number one DT at conclusion of spring drills *Recipient of the James W. and Elizabeth Plant Football Scholarship 2006: Started 11 games among team leaders in QB hurries with 19 *Season-high four tackles in shutout over UAB *Forced a fumble versus S. Carolina, recovered a fumble vs. Colorado *Team went 9-4 including a Chick-fil-A Bowl win *Recipient of Rebecca and Leon Farmer, III, Scholarship *Recorded one tackle and one sack in annual spring G-Day game 2005: Played in all 13 games as true freshman recording three TFL and 2.5 sacks including one vs. No. 3 LSU in SEC Championship Game victory *Named to Freshman All-America second team by Sporting News and first team Freshman All-SEC by SEC Coaches and Sporting News *Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award *Recipient of Rebecca and Leon Farmer, III Scholarship *Part of 10-3 SEC Championship team High School: Plantation, coached by Frank Helper…Rivals.com 12th-ranked DT in nation…SuperPrep All-America and All-Dixie Teams…Postseason Florida Top 100…Class 6A first-team All-State and 6A first-team All-County by the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald…First-team All-Conference, Team MVP and team captain…Florida/California All-Star game and Miami/Broward All-Star game…Led the county in sacks with 14 plus had 74 tackles including 27 tackles-for-loss, forced eight fumbles and recorded two interceptions…As a junior was named first-team All-County and second-team All-State…Led the county in sacks as a junior with 12…Three-year starter and member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Personal: JEFF OWENS; Born: Oct.. 14, 1986; Major: Child and Family Development.
ZIPP DUNCAN, OT, KENTUCKY SENIOR MAGNOLIA, KY.
Projected to move from left guard to left tackle ... Has started the last two seasons at left guard ... Also has played right guard during his career ... Transitioned from tight end to the offensive line in spring practice of 2007 ...Was the backup tight end as a redshirt freshman in 2006 ... Practiced at defensive end as a true freshman during the '05 season ...Has appeared in 38 career games,making 26 consecutive starts ... Zipp is his real name, as he was named after a family friend with the last name of Zipp. 2008 (Junior): Started all 13 games at left guard ... UK ranked 11th in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed and fourth nationally in fewest quarterback sacks surrendered. 2007 (Sophomore):?Started the LSU, Florida, and Florida State games at right guard while opening the other 10 games at left guard ... The UK offense set a school record by scoring 475 points during the season ... UK averaged 155.5 rushing yards per game, the team's best mark in a dozen years ... In the line's most courageous effort, they protected quarterback Andre' Woodson by not giving up any sacks while also opening lanes for 125 yards on the ground in the upset of eventual national champion LSU, one of the nation's top defenses. 2006 (Redshirt Freshman): Backup tight end ... Member of the PAT team ... Played in 12 games ... Also caught a touchdown pass in the junior-varsity game. 2005 (Freshman): Redshirted as a defensive end ... Named Scout Team Player of the Week twice during the season, once each for defense and special teams. High School: First-team all-state as a senior at Elizabethtown (Ky.) HS ... Three-year starter, playing tight end on offense and defensive end (senior year), defensive tackle (junior), and linebacker (sophomore) on the other side of the ball ... Caught 36 passes as a senior, good for 412 yards and seven touchdowns ... Breakout junior year featured 61 catches for 731 yards and 11 TDs ... Career receiving totals feature 123 catches for 1,396 yards and 23 TDs, tremendous numbers for a tight end ... Made 97 tackles, including eight quarterback sacks plus five fumble recoveries, as a senior ... Had 99 tackles and three sacks as a junior ... Three-year pick on the all-district and all-area teams ... Honorable-mention all-state as a junior ... Team went to the state playoffs all three of his seasons, going 12-3 and reaching the state finals his junior year and advancing to the state quarterfinals as a senior ... Earned team's academic award for highest grade-point average ... The No. 10 prospect in Kentucky by SuperPrep and No. 13 by Rivals.com ... Played in the Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game in June 2005 and caught a TD pass for the winning Kentucky team ... Coached by Brett Burnett ... "Zipp has the potential to play a number of positions," Burnett said. "He's still growing. He has a good work ethic in the weight room. He's very intelligent and understands the game. He's going to be a great Wildcat." ... A three-year letterman in basketball, playing power forward ... Helped his team advance to the state tournament as a senior and was named to the all-state tournament team ... A three-year letterman in track and field, competing in the shot put and discus ... Second in the state in the shot put his junior year ... Honor-roll student who was a member of the Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Interact Club for community service ... Chose Kentucky over Cincinnati, Marshall, and Stanford. Personal: Born in Elizabethtown, Ky. ... Son of Steve and Fonda Duncan ... Major is kinesiology. Community Cats: Volunteer at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life (2007).
TREVARD LINDLEY, CB, KENTUCKY SENIOR HIRAM, GA.
Honors All-America (second team) by Walter Camp Football Foundation, CollegeFootballNews. com (2008) All-America (third team) by Phil Steele's College Football (2008) All-SEC (first team) by SEC coaches, The Associated Press, Phil Steele's College Football, CollegeFootballNews.com, Rivals.com (2008) UK Most Valuable Player as elected by UK players (2008) Sophomore All-America (third team) by CollegeFootballNews.com (2007) All-SEC (third team) by Phil Steele's College Football (2007) Freshman All-America (first team) by Rivals.com, the FWAA, and The Sporting News (2006) SEC All-Freshman Team by SEC coaches and The Sporting News (2006) UK Most Outstanding First-Year Defensive Player as chosen by UK coaches (2006) SEC Freshman of the Week by SEC office vs. Georgia (2006) Named to the "All-Bowl Team" by Rivals.com (2006)
Went through the National Football League evaluation process but chose to return to Kentucky for his senior season ... Has developed into an outstanding cover cornerback ... Blessed with excellent quickness and anticipation ... Has started every game of his collegiate career, 39 consecutive games ... Has led the team in pass breakups all three seasons and also led the team in interceptions in back-to-back years ... Six of his nine career interceptions have been key plays in Wildcat victories, with another pick helping send a game into overtime ... Also does a very good job in run support ... Career totals feature 158 tackles and nine interceptions ... Holds Kentucky's career record for pass breakups with 34 .... Talented artist with a major in art studio. 2008 (Junior): Second-team All-America by two selectors (see above for complete list) ... Consensus first-team All-SEC honoree ...Was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back ... UK Most Valuable Player for 2008 as elected by his teammates ...With 11 pass breakups and four interceptions, he led the SEC and ranked in the top 20 nationally in total passes defended per game ... Returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown against South Carolina ... Had 39 tackles, including a season-high seven in the win at Mississippi State ... Interception against Louisville helped set up UK's first offensive touchdown of the season when he returned it 24 yards to Louisville's two-yard line ... Has tallied 11 or more pass breakups in each of his three seasons. 2007 (Sophomore):?Chosen third-team Sophomore All-America by CollegeFootballNews.com ... Led the team in interceptions (three) and pass breakups (11) and was second in tackles (66) ... Scored his first collegiate touchdown when he scooped up a fumble and raced 66 yards at Arkansas ... Picked off Brian Brohm's first pass attempt of the game and returned it 33 yards, setting up a UK touchdown in the win over Louisville ... Enjoyed another outstanding effort against LSU -- recorded seven tackles; snatched an interception that set up the game-tying field goal; added two pass breakups ... Made a spectacular play to open the South Carolina game as he poked the ball away from the runner just before he crossed the goal line ... Had a tremendous game at Vanderbilt, helping keep All-SEC receiver Earl Bennett in check and logging six tackles on the night ... Tallied a career-high eight stops, an interception and two pass break-ups in an outstanding performance in the loss to Tennessee ... Had a career-best three pass breakups and caused a fumble in the Music City Bowl win over Florida State. 2006 (Redshirt Freshman): First-team Freshman All-America as chosen by Rivals.com, the Football Writers Association of America, and The Sporting News ... Coaches selected him as the team's Most Outstanding First-Year Defensive Player for 2006 ... Fourth in the SEC in pass breakups with 12 ... Named to the "All-Bowl Team" by Rivals.com for his performance in the Music City Bowl win over Clemson; made an outstanding one-handed interception in the end zone, recovered a Tiger fumble, and played excellent pass coverage ... Made game-clinching interception to seal upset victory over Georgia; also tipped a Bulldog pass that was intercepted by Roger Williams and had a career-high seven tackles in that game ... Named SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance ... Started all 13 games. 2005 (Freshman): Entered UK in January 2005 as a "grayshirt" ... Originally signed with UK in Feb. 2004, he delayed enrollment to help rehabilitate an injury ... Redshirted the 2005 season. High School: Three-year starter at cornerback and a two-year regular at running back at Hiram (Ga.) HS ... Missed most of his senior season because of a dislocated kneecap, but showed plenty to catch the eyes of college coaches ... Played only three games, but posted some gaudy numbers during that time ... Made three interceptions and had 22 tackles ... Rushed 10 times for 109 yards, a phenomenal 10.9-yard average, and two touchdowns ... Caught two passes for 63 yards and a TD ... Returned two kickoffs for 96 yards, including one return for a TD ... The injury healed fully, as he returned to the basketball and track teams ... Ran for approximately 960 yards as a junior, scoring eight touchdowns ... Made three interceptions and returned a kickoff for a TD ... The No. 38 prospect in Georgia, according to SuperPrep magazine ... Coached by Lynn Rowe ... "Trevard is very fast, yet he runs so smoothly that he makes it look effortless," Coach Rowe said. "He has a very unassuming personality and he does everything so naturally that you don't realize how much he's done until you look at the stats after the game." ... Three-year letterman in basketball ... Although just six-feet tall, his athletic ability enabled him to play a post position ... Helped his team advance to the state tournament his junior year ... Four-year letterman in track, competing in the triple jump, 100- and 200-meter dashes, and the 4x100-meter relay ... Won the regional meet in the 200 as a junior and competed in the state meet in the 100 and 200 ... Honor-roll student ... Chose Kentucky over North Carolina and Southern Mississippi. Personal: Name is pronounced "tre-VARD" ... Born in Litha Springs, Ga. ... Son of Terry Lindley Sr. and Stephanie Lindley ... His brother, Terry, plays football at Tennessee-Chattanooga ... Major is art studio. Community Cats: Helped work a youth football clinic (2005) ... Participated in the Valentine's Day party at the UK?Children's Hospital (2008).
CIRON BLACK, OT, LSU SENIOR TYLER, TEXAS
* 2008 Second-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches, AP) * 2007 Second-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches) * 2006 Third-Team Freshman All-American (Sporting News) * 2006 Freshman All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
LSU's starter at left offensive tackle for three years … Veteran offensive lineman who has started 40 straight games for the Tigers, all coming at left tackle … Played a school-record 1,031 snaps from scrimmage in 2007 and followed that with 884 snaps in 2008 … Joined Herman Johnson (1,030 snaps in 2007) as the only two players in school history to see action in over 1,000 plays from scrimmage in a single-season … Intense competitor who excels at both run and pass blocking … Rarely takes a play off and has been on the field for every snap for the Tigers over the past two years with the exception of those plays when the game has already been decided … Team leader on offense.
JUNIOR SEASON (2008) A second team All-SEC selection for the second straight year in 2008 … Ran his streak of consecutive starts at left tackle to 40 straight … Helped pave the way for an LSU team that ranked fourth in the SEC in rushing with 166.8 yards per game … The Tigers also averaged 30.9 points per game … Played a total of 884 snaps from scrimmage as a junior, the second-highest total on the squad … Finished with a team best 68 knockdowns and graded out at 85% percent or better nine times … Played every snap from scrimmage in games against Appalachian State (63), Auburn (68), Mississippi State (65), Florida (72), South Carolina (78), Georgia (73), Troy (80), Ole Miss (68), Arkansas (68) … Missed only one snap all year due to an injury, that coming against Alabama … Returned to field after missing the one play to see action on 79 of 80 snaps in overtime loss to Alabama … Had best game of season with nine knockdowns and an 85% grade in win over South Carolina … Had 7 knockdowns in consecutive games vs. Georgia, Tulane Alabama and Troy … Graded out a season-best 92% percent, to go with 9 knockdowns, in win over Mississippi State … Registered an 88% grade against both Florida and Tulane … Played 59 snaps in LSU's bowl win over Georgia Tech, a game in which the Tigers rushed for 179 yards and four TDs … Continued a trend at LSU that has seen the Tigers start only two players at left tackle since the start of the 2002 season ... Andrew Whitworth, now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, started at left tackle for four years from 2002-05, never missing a game ... Black has followed that with 40 straight starts at the position from 2006 to 2008.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2007) Played and started all 14 games for the Tigers at left offensive tackle … Earned second-team All-SEC honors from the SEC Coaches … Helped pave the way for an LSU team that ranked second in the SEC and 11th in the country in rushing offense, averaging 214 yards per game ... Set a school-record by playing 1,031 snaps from scrimmage in 2007 … In all, was on the field for 97.8 % (1,031 of 1,054 snaps) during LSU's national championship season … His 1,031 plays ranked first on the squad, one play ahead of Herman Johnson's 1,030 snaps … Played every snap in games against South Carolina (69), Florida (80), Kentucky (91), Auburn (68), Alabama (80) and Tennessee (81) ... Led team with five pancake blocks and ranks second with 74 knockdown blocks ... Has given up just one sack this year ... Was impressive in back-to-back games versus Florida and Kentucky, posting 11 knockdown blocks in each effort ... Had a season-high two pancake blocks in the win over Auburn.
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON (2006) Just a redshirt freshman, he started all 13 of the Tigers' games at left tackle ... Continued the left tackle stability trend for LSU as the Tigers have started only two players at that position (Black and Andrew Whitworth) in the last five years ... Was in on 739 of LSU's 818 plays in 2006, recording 81 knockdown blocks and 19 pancakes ... The 739 snaps from scrimmage was the most of any Tiger lineman... Against Kentucky, recorded a career-high 12 knockdown blocks and two pancakes ... Had 10 knockdowns and a career-high seven pancake blocks in the Tigers' win over Tennessee ... Recorded 10 knockdowns and a pancake versus Arkansas.
TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON (2005) Redshirted as a true freshman in 2005.
HIGH SCHOOL A blue-chip offensive lineman rated among the best in the state of Texas and nationally ... Ranked the nation's No. 14 offensive tackle by ESPN ... Member of the Houston Chronicle Top 100 for the state of Texas ... Named first-team 5A all-state in Texas as a senior ... Explosive run blocker with great footwork ... As a senior, averaged four pancake blocks per game ... Only gave up one sack in 15 games ... Led his team through one of Texas' toughest districts into the 5A state championship ... Played both offensive tackle positions and saw some action at defensive tackle ... High school teammate of former LSU quarterback Matt Flynn ... Coached by Michael Owens.
PERSONAL Full name is Ciron Qunadra Black … Born Oct. 29, 1986 in Tyler, Texas … Parents are Ronnie and Sandra Black … Parents are both preachers … Has three siblings - Kawune, Quinton, and Shamia … Lists fishing as a hobby … Favorite book and movie is "Friday Night Lights", which is about high school football in the state of Texas … Majoring in communication studies and aspires to be a sportscaster after his football playing days are over.
JACOB CUTRERA, LB, LSU SENIOR LAFAYETTE, LA.
Goes into senior season as LSU's starting middle linebacker … Served as a backup at the position for the past three years … Good athlete who has a knack for finding the football … Has good range on the field and can play sideline to sideline … Goes into final season with the Tigers having played in 36 games (five starts) with 91 career tackles, including 5.5 for losses.
JUNIOR SEASON (2008) Backup middle linebacker who saw action in all 13 games, including two starts … Starts came in wins over Mississippi State and Auburn when he filled in for an injured Darry Beckwith … Finished season with 33 tackles and 3.5 tackles for losses … Added three QB hurries and a pass breakup ... Had season-best six tackles in win over Mississippi State … Had five tackles and a forced fumble in win over Auburn … Capped season with four tackles, including one for a 3-yard loss in Chick-fil-A Bowl win over Georgia Tech … Had a tackle for a 2-yard loss, one QB hurry and a PBU vs. North Texas … Other tackles for losses came against Ole Miss and Tulane.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2007) A key reserve at linebacker who actually started two games in the absence of Darry Beckwith … Played in 12 games with two starts (Ole Miss and Louisiana Tech) … Finished year with 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for losses and an interception … Played well in both starts … In first start of season vs. Louisiana Tech, led Tigers with seven tackles, including one for a 2-yard loss … Added an interception and a pass breakup in win over Tech … Had four tackles, forced a fumble and registered a quarterback hurry in road win over Ole Miss … Missed the Kentucky and Auburn games with an ankle injury.
TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON (2006) Made an immediate impact both on defense as well as LSU's kick coverage units ... Established himself as a key member of the Tigers' linebacker corps, serving as the backup at the middle (mike) linebacker position ... Named a third-team Freshman All-American by the Sporting News... Saw action in 11 games with one start (vs. Ole Miss) ... Finished that game with a career-high and team-leading 11 tackles ... Finished true freshman season with 37 tackles, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery ... Had eight stops in the Tigers' victory over Alabama and another six against Tulane … Led all Tigers with 20 specials teams tackles.
HIGH SCHOOL Considered the top linebacker prospect in the state of Louisiana as a senior in 2005 … Graduated early and enrolled at LSU for the spring semester in 2006 … Led Acadiana High School to its first ever appearance in the Class 5A state championship game in 2005 … Ranked as the sixth-best prospect in Louisiana in 2005 by Tigerbit.com … Named Baton Rouge Advocate Super Dozen and to the New Orleans Times-Picayune Top 16 Blue Chip list … Orlando Sentinel All-Southern Team and a member of FSN South's Countdown to Signing Day "All-South" second-team and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 … Named first-team All-Acadiana as well as Defensive MVP for the parish .. Second-team prep All-American as a linebacker in 2005 … Academic All-State selection as well … Finished his senior season with 98 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, and three sacks … Named Class 5A Defensive MVP for his efforts … Had 112 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior … Received all-district and all-state honors as both a junior and senior … Coached by Ted Davidson.
PERSONAL Full name is Jacob Arnie Cutrera … Parents are Johnny and Julie Cutrera … Born on May 18, 1988, in Lafayette … Has a brother - John - who played football at Louisiana-Lafayette … Majoring in business administration.
JEVAN SNEAD, QB, OLE MISS JUNIOR STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS
Listed among the nation's top returning quarterbacks ... With a year of experience in the SEC behind him, used the spring to improve all areas of his game while being exposed to an expanded offensive scheme ... Possesses all the qualities needed to play the QB position at the highest level ... Proven leader both on and off the field ... Selected as the nation's No. 5 quarterback by Lindy's, who also tabbed him fifth on the their Heisman watch list … Ranked as the 20th-best player in college football by The Sporting News … Named an Honorable Mention Preseason All-American by NationalChamps.net, who also placed him on their preseason list of Heisman candidates … Rated as the SEC's Best Passer by the Birmingham News … Chosen preseason All-SEC second team by Athlon, Phil Steele, Lindy's, the Birmingham News and Consensus Draft Services … Completed 11-of-15 passes for 254 yards, three TDs and no interceptions in the Grove Bowl. 2008: Named third team All-SEC by Phil Steele and honorable mention All-SEC by the Associated Press ... Earned second team All-Sophomore honors from CollegeFootballNews.com ... Finished second in the SEC in TD passes (26) and third in passing average (212.5 ypg) ... Ranked third in the SEC (21st in the nation) in pass efficiency (145.5) and fourth in the league in total offense (217.1 ypg) ... Established Ole Miss season records for average yards per completion (15.0) and pass attempt (8.4) ... Ranks behind only Eli Manning on the Rebel single-season passing charts for efficiency (second), TDs (third) and yards (fourth) ... Tossed multiple TD passes in nine games and four TD passes twice ... Threw for 200 or more yards six times and 250-plus in three games, including a career-high 292 in the Cotton Bowl ... Tossed the two longest completions in school history for 88 yards and 86 ... Started all 13 games ... Earned first letter ... Named Midseason All-SEC third team by Phil Steele ... vs. Memphis (8/30): Passed for 185 yards and two TDs in first start as a Rebel ... Threw a 64-yard TD pass in the first quarter ... Also caught a 37-yard pass out of the Wild Rebel formation ... at Wake Forest (9/6): Tossed a career-high four TDs, the most by a Rebel QB since 2003 ... Completed 20 of 31 passes for 253 yards ... Also rushed for 16 yards on five attempts ... Named Scout.com SEC Offensive Player of the Week ... vs. Samford (9/13): Passed for 222 yards on 13-of-24 attempts ... Also threw two picks ... vs. Vanderbilt (9/20): Threw for 184 yards on 12-of-25 attempts ... Also threw four interceptions ... at Florida (9/27): Threw for 185 yards and two TDs ... Also rushed for one score ... Connected with Shay Hodge on an 86-yard pass, which was then the longest in school history ... vs. South Carolina (10/4): Completed 21-of-32 passes for one TD ... Also threw one interception ... at Alabama (10/18): Passed for 192 yards and one TD ... Also ran five times for a career-best 23 yards ... Added one catch on a tipped ball for five yards ... Named CBS Player of the Game ... at Arkansas (10/25): Threw for two TDs and 209 yards on 14-of-27 passing ... Also had five rushes for one total yard and a long of 13 yards ... vs. Auburn (11/1): Completed 15-of-30 passes for 140 yards and two TDs ... Also ran the ball seven times for a total of 11 yards with a long of 17 yards ... vs. ULM (11/15): Scored a career-best five TDs (three passing, two rushing) ... Passed for 170 yards on 6-of-12 passing ... Tossed the longest pass in school history on an 88-yard hookup with Mike Wallace ... Also rushed three times for 11 yards ... at LSU (11/22): Threw for a career-best 274 yards and two TDs on 16-of-25 passing ... Named CBS Player of the Game ... vs. Mississippi State (11/28): Completed 14-of-19 passes for 213 yards ... Matched a career-best with four TD passes ... Threw one interception ... Carried the ball twice for six yards ... Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech (1/2): Tied the Ole Miss bowl record for TD passes ... Completed 18-of-29 passes for a career-high 292 yards with three TDs and one interception ... Preseason: Named SEC Preseason Newcomer of the Year by Lindy's and Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook. Spring: Led the Blue team to victory, completing 20-of-26 passes for 269 yards and two TDs with one interception in the Red-Blue Game ... 2007: Sat out the season due to the NCAA transfer rule Spring: Transferred from University of Texas to Ole Miss in January of 2007 ... Participated in spring football drills. TEXAS (2006): As a true freshman at Texas in 2006, completed 26 of 49 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions ... Also rushed for 87 yards and one TD ... His most extensive action against a Big 12 opponent was against Kansas State when he replaced Colt McCoy, who had gone down with a shoulder injury, when he passed for 190 yards and one TD ... HIGH SCHOOL: A prep All-American, two-time All-State and two time All-District performer who finished his high school career with a 23-2 (.920) record as a starter ... Posted 7,955 total yards and 100 TDs in 25 games over his final two seasons ... Averaged 318.2 ypg and four TDs during that stretch ... Named to the 2006 Parade All-America team as a senior ... Tabbed second-team All-American by EA Sports ... Earned an invitation to the 'Elite 11 Quarterback Camp' ... Was selected to the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... Finished with the second-most passing yards in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after throwing for 147 yards and two TDs ... Earned Associated Press second team All-State honors ... Named to Dave Campbell's Super Team second team prior to the season ... Earned All-Big Country Super Team MVP ... Threw for 3,546 yards and 38 TDs that year ... Completed 230 of 370 passes (62.2%) ... Also rushed for 766 yards and 23 TDs ... Averaged 308 total yards per game ... Led Stephenville High to a 4A state semifinals appearance and a 13-1 record ... Completed 16-of-32 passes for 272 yards and three TDs while rushing for another one in Stephenville's 41-38 loss in the state semifinals to eventual state champion Highland Park ... Surpassed the 2,000-yard mark in the eighth game of 2005 ... Tabbed Associated Press and Texas Sports Writers Association honorable mention All-State as a junior ... Tallied 3,025 yards and 29 TDs passing, while rushing for 618 yards and 10 TDs ... Completed 181-of-304 (59.5%) ... Led Stephenville to a 10-1 record that year ... In his first start as a sophomore, went 8-for-8 for 205 yards and two TDs in the first half against Crowley ... Coached in high school by Chad Morris ... Moved from 1A Eden to Stephenville in the ninth grade ... Has been involved in coaching youth flag football teams ... PERSONAL: Son of Jaylon and Jane Snead ... Full name is Jevan Bryce Snead ... Born: September 2, 1987 ... Majoring in Marketing ... Made Chancellor's Honor Roll in Spring of 2007 and U.M.A.A. Honor Roll in Fall of 2007, Spring of 2008 and Fall of 2008 ... Named to SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll for 2007-08 and 2008-09.
KENDRICK LEWIS, SAF, OLE MISS SENIOR NEW ORLEANS, LA.
Returns as the No. 1 free safety heading into the fall ... Vocal leader in the secondary ... Highly active free safety who has used the experience he gained last year to really advance his skills ... Is reacting quicker, which puts him into position to make more plays ... Has become more physical in his tackling ... Earned preseason All-SEC fourth team status from\ Phil Steele ... Was one of three finalists for the 2009 Chucky Mullins Courage Award. 2008: Started all 13 games at free safety ... Led the team and ranked 14th in the SEC in tackles with 85 ... Also topped squad in interceptions (4) and tied for team lead in pass break-ups (6) ... Also notched 2.5 TFLs, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery ... Earned third letter ... vs. Memphis (8/30): Picked off first career pass in start and returned it 33 yards ... Finished with seven total tackles ... at Wake Forest (9/6): Collected team-high nine tackles in start ... vs. Samford (9/13): Recorded five stops and 0.5 TFLs in start ... vs. Vanderbilt (9/20): Tied career-high with nine total tackles and five solo ... at Florida (9/27): Finished with a career-high six solo tackles and tied career-high with nine total stops ... Also recovered a fumble ... vs. South Carolina (10/4): Totaled six tackles (three solo) in the start ... at Alabama (10/18): Picked off his third pass of the season ... Also posted six tackles (three solo) ... at Arkansas (10/25): Posted a team-high eight tackles (six solo) ... Also recorded 1.0 TFL and a pass break-up ...vs. Auburn (11/1): Recorded his third interception of the season ... Also collected seven total tackles, including five solo stops ... vs. ULM (11/15): Finished with four tackles (one solo) ... at LSU (11/22): Picked off fourth pass of the season and recorded a team-high eight tackles (six solo) ... Also posted 1.0 QB sack and 1.0 TFL ... Caught a 33-yard pass from Jason Cook on a fake punt for a first down ... vs. Mississippi State (11/28): Had one pass break-up ... Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech (1/2): Topped the team with seven total tackles and five solos. Spring: Finished the spring No. 2 at free safety behind Johnny Brown ... Notched one solo tackle in the Red-Blue Game. 2007: In first season on defense, played in all 12 games with seven starts - six at free safety and one at strong safety ... Finished with 57 total tackles, including 33 solos, 2.5 TFLs and a sack ... Also posted two pass break-ups and two QB hurries ... Earned second letter ... at Memphis (9/1): Credited with eight total tackles, including five solos ... Recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a TD ... vs. Missouri (9/8): Registered nine total tackles with five solos and a QB hurry ... at Vanderbilt (9/15): Posted seven tackles, including five solos and a TFL ... vs. Florida (9/22): Amassed six tackles, with three solos ... at Georgia (9/29): Notched three solos with a sack ... vs. Louisiana Tech (10/6): Posted five stops with a pair of solos ... vs. Alabama (10/13): Collected seven tackles, including five solos in only start at SS ... vs. Arkansas (10/20): Posted six tackles, including four solos and 0.5 TFLs ... at Auburn (10/27): Credited with one solo tackle ... vs. Northwestern State (11/3): Totaled two stops and a pass defended ... vs. LSU (11/17): Credited with one tackle... at Mississippi State (11/23): Notched two tackles and a QB pressure Spring: Moved from wide receiver to the starting free safety spot ... Posted three total tackles in the Red-Blue spring game. 2006: Appeared in six games ... Finished the season with five receptions for 31 yards ... Earned his first letter ... at Missouri (9/9): Caught first pass of career ... at Kentucky (9/16): One catch for eight yards ... vs. Wake Forest (9/23): Career-high two catches for 22 yards ... at Alabama (10/14): One catch for five yards. HIGH SCHOOL: Played at O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans before moving to Gainesville, Ga. ... Rated the No. 35 WR in the nation by Scout.com ... Earned first team All-State honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and honorable mention from the Georgia Sports Writers Association ... Named the District 9-AAAAA Player of the Year as a junior ... Rated No. 58 on the Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 list ... Made the AJC Super Southern 100 team ... Rated the No. 12 player in Louisiana by Scout.com and No. 22 player in Georgia by SuperPrep ... Rated 46th-best player in Georgia by Rivals.com ... Named to the SuperPrep All-Dixie team ... Selected to participate in the GACA All-Star Game ... Made 41 catches for 740 yards and nine TDs as a senior ... Accounted for over 2,260 yards and 34 TDs passing, receiving and rushing as a junior ... Helped Gainesville to an 11-2 record and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs ... Coached at Gainesville by Bruce Miller and at O. Perry Walker by Terry Wilson ... Earned three letters in football during high school career ... PERSONAL: Son of Clarrissa Lewis and Bennie Paul ... Guardian is Sheldon Jude Briscoe ... Full name is Kendrick Lewis ... Born: June 16, 1988 ... Majoring in Criminal Justice.
DEREK SHERROD, OL, MISSISSIPPI STATE JUNIOR COLUMBUS, MISS.
CAREER: Heavily recruited high school lineman who broke into Mississippi State's rotation at the line of scrimmage as a true freshman . . . Has played in 22 of a possible 25 games for the Bulldogs, missing time only due to injury . . . Started his career as a reserve, he earned the starting left tackle job as a sophomore . . . Has started 10 times . . . All-America high school lineman from nearby Columbus, Miss. 2008: Played in 11 games, starting 10 times at left tackle . . . Did not play in the season opener at Louisiana Tech due to injury, and did not start Week 2 . . . After missing that opener, he hit the playing field for the first time in his sophomore season in the Bulldogs' home-opening win over Southeastern Louisiana . . . Only played 18 snaps as he returned to game action . . . Was on the field for every snap (61 plays) one week later in the Bulldogs' SEC opener against Auburn . . . Was on the field for all 87 offensive plays at Georgia Tech one week later . . . His 81 percent blocking grade was second-best on the team and his eight knockdown blocks led the club . . . Was on the field for all 59 offensive snaps in Week 5 at LSU . . . Turned in a team-best 92 percent blocking grade against the Tigers . . . Again played every snap during the team's mid-season win over Vanderbilt . . . Scored a 77 percent blocking mark with five knockdown blocks against the previously undefeated Commodores . . . Posted an 81 percent blocking mark, second-best on the team, at Tennessee in Week 7 . . . Was on the field for all 63 plays against the Volunteers . . . Went all 64 offensive snaps and graded out at an 87 percent mark against Middle Tennessee at homecoming . . . Played the entire game (57 snaps) in Week 10 at Alabama, tallying a 79 percent mark . . . Was on the field for all 76 offensive snaps in the team's win over Arkansas one week later . . . Posted a team-best 89 percent blocking mark with five knockdowns against the Razorbacks . . . Started at left tackle in the season finale at Ole Miss. 2007: Played in all but two games (11 of 13) during regular season in his freshman season at Mississippi State . . . Failed to see game action only in the season opener against LSU and in Week 5 at South Carolina . . . Saw the first playing time of his collegiate career in Week 2 against Tulane in the Superdome . . . Was on the field for 33 of a possible 85 offensive snaps against the Green Wave and was second on the team with four knockdown blocks . . . Helped MSU rush for 266 yards on 54 carries, a 4.9-yard per carry average, against Tulane . . . Participated in 10 plays during State's Week 3 win at Auburn . . . Graded out at a 77 percent clip against the Tigers . . . Was on the field for eight plays in Mississippi State's 31-15 victory over Gardner-Webb in Week 4 . . . Scored a 75 percent blocking grade against the Runnin' Bulldogs . . . Played 14 snaps in the team's Week 6 win over UAB . . . Graded out at an 85 percent clip against the Blazers . . . Was on the field for nearly half of all plays (32 of 73) one week later against Tennessee . . . Tallied a team-best 89 percent blocking grade against the Volunteers . . . Was on the field more than half the time (40 of 74 plays) at West Virginia in Week 8 . . . Saw action on 26 offensive snaps at Kentucky in Week 9 . . . Tied for the team high with an 88 percent blocking grade against the nationally ranked Wildcats with five pancake blocks . . . Went nearly half the way (31 of 66 plays) in MState's Week 10 victory over nationally No. 21-ranked Alabama . . . Scored an 80 percent blocking grade with three pancake blocks against the Crimson Tide . . . Played 32 snaps (out of 85) at Arkansas in Week 11, with a team-best and season-high 93 percent blocking mark . . . Played 24 snaps in the regular season-closing win over Ole Miss in the Battle For The Golden Egg . . . Split time at right offensive tackle with J.D. Hamilton in the 2007 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Classic . . . Selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl all-star game in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., following his senior season . . . Rated the No. 26 offensive tackle prospect in the country by ESPN.com . . . Ranked among the top 20 offensive linemen in the Southeast by PrepStar recruiting magazine in its season-ending yearbook . . . Considered one of the top five prospects in the state by that publication . . . Ranked No. 24 on the Mobile Press Register's Super Southern 120, the top-ranked offensive tackle on the list . . . Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, symbolic of being one of the top 100 players in the South . . . One of just 16 offensive linemen so recognized . . . Ranked as the No. 18 offensive tackle prospect in the country prior to his senior season by the Rivals.com recruiting web site, the No. 5 prospect in the Magnolia State according to that site . . . Moved to No. 3 in the state on that site's post-season list, the top offensive lineman . . . Ranked with the top 14 offensive linemen in the southeast in the 2007 Rivals recruiting yearbook . . . Listed No. 2 on the Jackson Clarion-Ledger ranking of the top 40 prospects in the state of Mississippi, the top-rated offensive lineman . . . Rated the No. 5 prospect in the state of Mississippi, regardless of position, by SuperPrep Recruiting Magazine, the top-ranked offensive lineman . . . That publication also had him ranked as the No. 35 offensive line prospect in the country . . . Moved to No. 4 in that publication's season-ending all-America issue, the state's top-rated offensive lineman . . . Named the Gatorade Mississippi Player of the Year for 2006 . . . Named to the Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen prior to his senior season, symbolic of being ranked among the top 12 players in the state of Mississippi . . . Named first-team, all-state on the offensive line in all classifications by that newspaper following his senior season . . . Earned first-team, all-Southeast on the offensive line in the pre-season recruiting guide by Scout . . . Ranked No. 38 overall in the southeast in that publication, the fourth-best offensive lineman listed . . . Earned first-team, all-state mention in Class 3A by the Mississippi Association of Coaches at offensive tackle . . . Allowed just one quarterback sack during his senior season and was credited with 32 pancake blocks . . . Also made 79 tackles on defense, with six quarterback sacks and four fumble recoveries . . . He also blocked three kicks . . . Credited with a 325-pound bench press max and a 30-inch vertical jump by recruiting web site Scout.com . . . His 5.35-second 40-yard dash time was fourth-fastest among offensive linemen at the Starkville Scout.com combine in 2005 (as a high school sophomore) . . . His 4.84-second run in the short shuttle and 8.16-second time in the three-cone run were the second fastest . . . Four-year starter on the offensive line and three-year regular on the defensive side of the ball for head coaches David Boykin and Jack Hankins at Caledonia (Miss.) High School . . . A three-time all-area selection by the Columbus Commercial Dispatch, including being named as both an offensive and defensive lineman his senior year . . . Was also a two-time, Elite 11 selection by that newspaper, symbolic of being one of top 11 players in a 10 county area surrounding Columbus . . . Named second-team, all-state following his junior season by the Mississippi Association of Coaches . . . Recorded 93 tackles with four quarterback sacks and three fumble recoveries during his junior season as defensive tackle for the Confederates . . . Also played basketball on the high school level . . . Outstanding high school student with a 3.5 grade point average . . . Other top scholarship offers: Florida, Miami (Fla.), Notre Dame, Michigan, Louisville and Ole Miss . . . Committed to MSU in August 2006.
PERSONAL: Born Derek Lee Sherrod, 4-23-89, in Chula Vista, Calif. . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sherrod.
K.J. WRIGHT, LB, MISSISSIPPI STATE JUNIOR OLIVE BRANCH, MISS.
CAREER: After a redshirt was considered the first three weeks of his college career, he was pressed into service for Mississippi State as a reserve on defense and on special teams . . . Has played in 22 games (out of 25), initially as a reserve in the linebacker corps and a special teams contributor, but then as a fixture in the linebacking corps . . . Has made 79 tackles, including nine tackles for loss (minus 55 yards), four of which were quarterback sacks (minus 41 yards) . . . Has also recovered one fumble during his still young MSU career . . . Joined the Bulldog program as a standout multi-sport athlete from the Mississippi high school ranks. 2008: Started all 12 games during his sophomore season at one outside linebacker position . . . Finished second on the club with 72 total tackles, recording at least two hits in every game during the year . . . Led the team with nine tackles for loss (minus 55 yards), a team-best four of which were quarterback sacks (minus 41 yards) . . . Credited with a tackle for loss in eight contests . . . Also deflected three passes and forced one fumble . . . Made six tackles, including a team-best two tackles for loss (minus 4 yards) at Louisiana Tech in the season opener, his first career start . . . Also credited with one pass deflection in Ruston . . . Had two tackles in Mississippi State's home-opening win over Southeastern Louisiana, one a 10-yard quarterback sack . . . Also swatted away one pass at the line of scrimmage against the Lions . . . Recorded three tackles, including one half for loss (minus 1 yard), in State's SEC opener vs. Auburn . . . After making 11 tackles in the season's first three games (3.7 per game), he totaled 61 over the final nine games (6.8 per game) . . . Tied for the team lead with six hits at Georgia Tech one week later . . . Registered a team-best one and one-half tackles for loss (minus 7 yards) against the Ramblin' Wreck . . . Recorded the first double-digit tackle game of his career at LSU in Week 5 . . . Made 10 hits, including a 15-yard quarterback sack, against the Tigers . . . Was also credited with a forced fumble in Baton Rouge . . . Tied for third on the team with four tackles during the Bulldogs' mid-season victory over Vanderbilt . . . Registered two tackles and a pass deflection at Tennessee in Week 7 . . . Made seven tackles, including a half tackle for loss (minus 1 yard), in his team's homecoming victory over Middle Tennessee . . . Tied for second on the club with seven tackles against Kentucky in Week 9 . . . Finished second on the team with eight hits at Alabama one week later . . . Posted nine tackles, including two quarterback sacks (minus 16 yards), in the Bulldogs' Week 11 win over Arkansas . . . He became the first Bulldog to record a pair of sacks in a game in 15 games (Avery Hannibal vs. Kentucky 2007) and the first MSU linebacker to turn that trick since Clarence McDougal had two against Ole Miss in 2005 . . . Added eight more hits in the season finale at Ole Miss, a total that includes a half-tackle for loss (minus 1 yard). 2007: Played in 10 straight games during his freshman season, from Week 4 through the end of the season (includes the bowl game) . . . Recorded seven tackles and recovered one fumble during his first season at State . . . Made one tackle vs. UAB at mid-season . . . Added two hits one week later against Tennessee . . . Recovered a fumble at UK on special teams . . . Matched his season best with two tackles at Arkansas in Week 11 . . . Made two more a week later in the Bulldogs' 17-14 win over Ole Miss in the Battle For The Golden Egg. HIGH SCHOOL: Selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Classic . . . Listed as the No. 19 prospect in the state following his senior season by Rivals.com, the second-best outside linebacker in their ranking . . . Rated the No. 22 prospect in the state of Mississippi, regardless of position, by SuperPrep Recruiting Magazine, the fourth-best defensive end in the list . . . Moved to 21st in that publication's season-ending All-America issue . . . Ranked among the top 25 players in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season . . . Named first-team, all-state on the defensive line by the Clarion-Ledger in all classifications following his senior season for head coach Scott Samsel at Olive Branch (Miss.) High School . . . Also earned first-team, all-state mention by the Mississippi Association of Coaches at outside linebacker in Class 5A . . . Made 91 total tackles during that senior season for the Conquistadors, including 48 solos . . . Recorded 13 quarterback sacks and a pass interception as well . . . Helped Olive Branch to a 12-2 overall record as a senior . . . Ran a 4.69 40-yard dash at the Oxford Scout.com combine prior to his senior season . . . Recorded 50 tackles and six sacks during his junior campaign . . . Also a standout for an undefeated basketball team as a senior . . . Solid student in the classroom on the prep level . . . Other top scholarship offers: Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss and South Carolina . . . Committed to MSU in December 2006. PERSONAL: Born Kenneth Bernard Wright Jr., 7-23-89, in Memphis, Tenn. . . . Son of Mr. Kenneth Wright Sr., and Ms. Jacquelyn Wright.
MOE BROWN, WR, SOUTH CAROLINA SENIOR ANDERSON, S.C.
Team captain who returns for his final campaign as Carolina's top deep threat... is also the top returning receiver after catching 30 passes in 2008 and 52 passes in his career... one of the most experienced players on the squad with 37 games played over the past three seasons... has made 10 career starts... coming off an impressive spring where he earned the Joe Morrison Award as the Offensive Player of the Spring and the Weight Room Effort Award for the offense. 2008: Played in all 13 games starting five... third on the team with 30 catches for 391 yards and a touchdown... averaged 13.0 yards per catch... logged a 34-yard reception, the longest of his career, in the season-opener against NC State... had his best game against Georgia when he set career highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (130), including his first career touchdown, a 34-yard reception, in a 14-7 loss to the second-ranked team in the nation... earned the Carolina Hustle Award for the offense during the spring drills. 2007: Played in all 12 games, making four starts... caught 13 passes for 168 yards, an average of 12.9 yards per catch... had a reception in each of the first four games of the season and in each of the final three contests... had five catches through nine games, then caught eight passes over the final three games... season highs were four receptions against Florida and 37 yards receiving versus Clemson... caught a 27-yard pass against LSU, the longest of his career to that point... shared Most Improved Wide Receiver honors in the spring with Mike West. 2006: Missed the season opener with an ankle injury, then played in the remaining 12 contests as a true freshman... caught nine passes for 74 yards... made his first and only collegiate start against Kentucky... had a season-high four receptions in that contest... also had two carries, both against Wofford, for 11 yards. High School: Graduated from Westside High School in Anderson, S.C., where he was coached by Ted Luckadoo... two-time all-region selection at wide receiver and one-time honoree at cornerback... competed for the South Carolina team in the 2005 Shrine Bowl, alongside fellow Gamecocks Garrett Anderson and Rodney Paulk... three-star prospect according to Rivals.com... the web site also listed him as the No. 56 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 13 player at any position in the state of South Carolina... led Westside to an 11-2 record and a regional championship... also competed for the Westside track & field team, earning all-region and all-state honors in the triple jump... was part of the Westside shuttle hurdle relay squad that set new indoor and outdoor national records. Personal: Mauricus "Moe" Brown was born Feb. 27, 1988... is a finance/marketing major... excellent student was a three-time member of the Honor Roll... active in his church... brother, Martez, was a hurdler and high jumper at North Carolina... chose Carolina over offers from Tennessee and Maryland.
ERIC NORWOOD, LB, SOUTH CAROLINA SENIOR ACWORTH, GA.
All-America candidate after being a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in each of the past two seasons... has tremendous versatility... key to the defense... has recorded 174 tackles over the past three seasons... is Carolina's all-time leader with 43.0 career tackles for loss and is third on the all-time list in sacks with 22.0... is the SEC active leader in both sacks and tackles for loss... has played in all 38 games over the past three seasons and has made 25 consecutive starts... is on the preseason Lombardi and Lott watch lists... named the Harris Pastides Scholar Athlete Award winner for football at the spring game. 2008: Earned first-team All-SEC accolades from the Associated Press, the league's coaches, and Phil Steele's, and second-team honors from Rivals.com as a junior.. made the conversion from defensive end to linebacker... second on the team with 75 tackles... led the team with 9.0 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries... was second in the SEC in sacks was fourth in tackles for loss... had a season-high 10 tackles at Vanderbilt... logged a personal-best 3.0 sacks in the win over Arkansas... had a pair of sacks in the win over Tennessee and 2.0 sacks in the loss at Florida... logged nine stops, including seven solo tackles, against Iowa in the Outback Bowl. 2007: Named first-team All-SEC by the league's coaches, second-team All-SEC by the AP and third-team All-SEC by Phil Steele's... second on the squad with 69 tackles, including a school-record 19.5 tackles for loss... his 1.62 TFLs per game ranked third in the SEC and tied for seventh in the nation... tied for first in the SEC with three fumble recoveries... had 6.0 sacks, 10th in the SEC... credited with a team-high nine quarterback hurries and three pass breakups... a big-play performer, had a blocked punt and three fumble recoveries, two of which he returned for touchdowns... made his first college start against UL-Lafayette in the season opener... had six tackles, including a 13-yard sack and a 13-yard TFL in the win at Georgia... recorded eight tackles including a sack at LSU... notched a 16-yard sack in the win over Mississippi State... named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski and the Master Coaches National Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Kentucky... tied an NCAA record by returning two fumbles for touchdowns - scoring from two and 53 yards out - registered five unassisted tackles, including a tackle for loss, had two pass deflections and a quarterback hurry in the nationally-televised Thursday night win... credited with 2.0 sacks at North Carolina... recovered a fumble against Vanderbilt... had nine tackles, including 3.5 TFLs, against Clemson. 2006: Named first-team Freshman All-America and first-team Freshman All-SEC honors by The Sporting News and second team Freshman All-America by Rivals.com... showed an ability to get to the quarterback... recorded 7.0 sacks, tying for the team lead... figured in on five solo and four assisted sacks... also led the team with five quarterback hurries... was third on the team with 9.0 tackles for loss among his 30 total stops... had a season-high six stops against Kentucky. High School: Graduated from North Cobb High School in Georgia where he was coached by Bob Clark... three-star prospect according to Rivals.com... the web site also tabbed him as the #26 player in the state of Georgia at any position and the #34 strongside defensive end in the country... made 50 tackles and had 11 sacks as a senior... also played tight end, making 15 catches for 315 yards and three TDs... all-county selection as a linebacker, defensive end and tight end during his career... six-time selection as the Cobb County Defensive Player of the Week... Cobb County Touchdown Club 48 Minute Man of the Year... Prep Sports All-Region team... also competed for the North Cobb basketball and track & field teams. Personal: Eric Norwood was born May 24, 1988... is a criminal justice major who will graduate in December... chose Carolina over Auburn, Boston College and Oklahoma.
ERIC BERRY, DB, TENNESSEE JUNIOR FAIRBURN, GA.
BERRY TENNESSEE TRIVIA - Enters 2009 needing just 15 interception return yards to break NCAA record of 501 set by Florida State's Terrell Buckley from 1989-91. CAREER GAMES/STARTS - 26/26 2008 - Games/Starts: 12/12 ... First Tennessee player to claim unanimous All-America honors since 1990 ... Led nation with 265 interception return yards, and his seven interceptions tied for tops ... Only 2008 player with interception in seven different games ... First two interceptions of season were returned for 0 and 1 yard, then had five picks for 264 yards ... Interception returns for TDs against Mississippi State (72 yards) and Vandy (45 yards) ... Also had big returns against Georgia (54 yards), South Carolina (47 yards) and Northern Illinois (46 yards) ... For career in just 26 games, owns 12 interceptions for 487 return yards and three touchdowns ... Set to enter 2009 season just 15 yards from breaking major college record (501) ... Broken interception return yardage records that had stood for combined 187 years ... Now owns records for UT season (previously stood 37 years), UT career (39 years), SEC season (52 years) and SEC career (59 years) ... 72 tackles placed him third on UT team and 18th among SEC leaders ... Led team in tackles vs. Mississippi State (10) and tied for team honors vs. UAB (7) ... Recorded first career sack against Florida ... Season-high 11 tackles against Alabama ... Joined Dan Williams as only Vols with at least three tackles in all 12 games ... Never had fewer than three tackles in game in his career ... Started every contest of his collegiate career. 2007 - Games/Starts: 14/14 ... SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year by Sporting News ... Consensus Freshman All-America and Freshman All-SEC ... Second team All-SEC selection by Coaches, Writers ... Finished freshman season with five interceptions for 222 interception return yards, breaking old Tennessee mark of 177 yards set by Bobby Majors in 1970 ... Led all SEC freshmen with 86 tackles ... Twice named SEC Freshman of the Week in final three weeks ... First honored after breaking 37-year-old UT record in win over Arkansas ... Returned two interceptions against Razorbacks for combined 98 yards ... Set career-high with 14 tackles and had one PBU against Kentucky, earning second SEC freshman honor ... Seventh among SEC interception leaders and ranked third nationally among freshmen ... Interception return yardage total ranked second nationally and second in SEC history book ... Started every game of his young collegiate career ... Interception return of 96 yards for TD at Florida tied for third-longest in UT history and was longest in 35 years ... Became first defensive player--and just third player overall--in Phillip Fulmer era to start season-opener as true freshman ... Recorded four tackles and first career TFL against Alabama ... Set up two first-half touchdowns in that game by returning fumble 52 yards and intercepting second career pass and returning it 13 yards ... Career-high 14 tackles against Kentucky ... Recovered fumble and intercepted pass on consecutive possessions in third quarter of SEC Championship Game against LSU. HIGH SCHOOL - Parade All-America and selected nation's top cornerback by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN and PrepStar ... U.S. Army All-American Bowl starter ... Gatorade Player of the Year for Georgia and state's No. 1 prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Georgia Player of the Year by Atlanta Journal-Constitution ... G&W Recruiting Report All-America defensive back and Southeast's No. 3 player ... Rushed for more than 1,500 yards and threw for more than 1,000 yards as senior in 2006 ... Added three interceptions and more than 40 tackles on defense ... As junior, totaled 67 tackles and five interceptions ... Rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 12 TDs while passing for 1,100-plus yards and nine touchdowns ... Led team to combined 37-5 record as four-year starting quarterback ... Also started four years at safety ... Squad twice won region championship and advanced to State 4A quarterfinals in 2006 ... Set school records in long jump (22-8) and 200-meter dash (21.76) ... 200-meter state champion as sophomore and member of 4x400 state title relay squad as junior ... National Honor Society member with 3.75 grade-point average ... Served dental internship ... Father, James, was 1981 Vols captain, four-year letterman and three-year starter. COACH AT CREEKSIDE HIGH SCHOOL - Kevin Whitley. BORN - Dec. 29, 1988.
SUPERLATIVES o 2008 All-America NCAA Unanimous (AFCA, Sporting News, AP, FWAA and Walter Camp) o 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Coaches and Associated Press o 2008 All-SEC Coaches and Associated Press o 2008 Jim Thorpe Award Finalist o 2008 Draddy Trophy and Bednarik Award Semifinalist o 2008 Tennessee Sports Writers Player of the Year o 2008 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Male Amateur Athlete of the Year o 2008 Jack Tatum Award (Nation's Best Defensive Back by Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio) o 2008 Vince Dooley Award (Top Defensive Back in Southeast by Touchdown Club of Atlanta) o 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 18 and Nov. 22) o 2007 Defensive Freshman of the Year Collegefootballnews.com o 2007 Freshman All-America FWAA, Rivals.com and Collegefootballnews.com o 2007 All-SEC Coaches (2nd) and Associated Press (2nd) o 2007 SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year Sporting News o 2007 Freshman All-SEC Coaches, Rivals.com, Sporting News o 2007 SEC Freshman of the Week (Nov. 10 and 24) o 2007 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll
MONTARIO HARDESTY, TB, TENNESSEE SENIOR NEW BERN, N.C.
TENNESSEE TRIVIA - Steady performer for Vols throughout his tenure, with at least three touchdowns scored each year and no fewer than 270 rushing yards. CAREER GAMES/STARTS - 36/6 2008 - Games/Starts: 11/1 ... Paced 2008 Vols with six touchdowns, all rushing ... Second on team with 76 rushing attempts, finishing with 271 yards ... Also caught four passes for 24 yards ... Hard-nosed ball carrier scored twice at UCLA while gaining 66 yards on 12 attempts -- all season highs ... First time he scored multiple touchdowns in one game ... Rushed 10 times for 35 yards and TD at Auburn ... Also scored touchdowns against UAB, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt ... Only start of season came at Nashville after having missed Wyoming game with injury ... Topped career 1,000-yard rushing mark against Commodores on 27-yard gain - his longest from scrimmage since that highlight-reel TD run against California in 2006 ... Finished with 41 yards on seven carries and one touchdown vs. Vanderbilt ... Added TDs against UAB, Auburn and Mississippi State. 2007 - Games/Starts: 10/0 ... Had Vols' only rushing TD against California ... Finished game with 27 yards on nine carries and added two receptions for four yards against Golden Bears ... Rushed two times for 11 yards against Southern Miss ... Rushed for 68 yards and touchdown on 14 carries versus Georgia ... Ran for career-high 78 yards at Mississippi State ... Had only two offensive touches against South Carolina, but scored touchdown ... Carried 20 time for 65 yards against Arkansas and added eight attempts for 26 yards at Kentucky ... Missed three contests, including SEC Championship Game, because of injury ... Returned to contribute 56 all-purpose yards in Outback Bowl against Wisconsin ... Had season-long run of 26 yards against Badgers and season-long reception of 21 yards. 2006 - Games/Starts: 13/5 ... Showed he had fully recovered from a torn ACL when he powered through California defense for 43-yard TD run in season opener ... Finished with 56 yards on five carries ... Career highs in attempts (19) and yards (73) while scoring second TD of career against Air Force ... Made first career start against Florida ... Had eight carries for 21 yards and scored a touchdown for the fourth consecutive game against Marshall ... Became first running back since Travis Stephens in 2000 to rush for touchdown in four consecutive games ... Had 14 carries for 43 yards and saw consecutive touchdown games streak snapped at Memphis ... Eight carries for 25 yards and caught one pass for 22 yards against South Carolina ... Led team in rushing with 52 yards on 12 carries at Arkansas ... Ran for 52 yards for the second consecutive week against Vanderbilt ... Had 27 yards on seven carries against Kentucky ... Named to Tennessee's Thornton Center 40-Plus Club after completing at least 40 credit hours during the academic year. 2005 - Games/Starts: 2/0 ... Received medical hardship for 2005 because of knee injury suffered against Mississippi ... Appeared in two games before injury ... Rushed four times in Ole Miss game for 14 yards ... Carried twice at LSU for four yards. HIGH SCHOOL - Rushed for 2,002 yards as high school senior after gaining 1,987 rushing yards previous season ... Named All-Area and All-Conference in 2004 after being selected honorable mention All-State previous season ... Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 ... Earned offensive MVP honors for his play in 2004 Shrine Bowl ... Competing for North Carolina squad, rushed 12 times for 55 yards and one touchdown to go with five kickoff returns for 136 combined yards ... Scored 19 touchdowns each of final two seasons, with three addi-tional touchdown receptions as junior ... Track and field standout with times of 10.36 in 100M and 21.65 in 200M ... State 100M finalist in 2003. COACH AT NEW BERN HIGH SCHOOL - Chip Williams. BORN - Feb. 1, 1987.
MYRON LEWIS, CB, VANDERBILT SENIOR POMPANO BEACH, FLA.
2008: Started every game as junior cornerback, extending consecutive start streak to 25 games... Formed outstanding cornerback tandem with All-America and All-SEC performer D.J. Moore... Concluded season as team's fourth leading tackler (76)... Shared Commodore team lead with five quarterback sacks, and ranked second in interceptions (5) and defensed passes (6), and third in tackles for loss (7) forced fumbles (2)... Provided one of the top Commodore highlights of 2008 - clinching Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl victory over Boston College with last-minute interception... Also added four total tackles and a defensed pass in bowl win... Contributed eight tackles and an interception in win at Miami (Ohio) to open season... Produced outstanding game against Rice, registered a career-high 10 tackles, including two quarterback sacks... Played key defensive role in Vanderbilt's home win over ranked Auburn, contributing a QB sack and late interception that sealed the victory... Added sacks against Duke, Florida and Tennessee... Gave Commodores excellent scoring opportunity early against the Vols, intercepting pass at the UT 35-yard line. 2007: First-year starter put together superb campaign starting at cornerback across from All-SEC performer D.J. Moore... Impressive play of inexperienced Lewis-Moore duo served as key ingredient to Commodores having one of nation's top-ranked defensive units... Garnered all-conference consideration after ranking among the SEC leaders and topping team with 12 pass breakups, most by a Commodore defender in 11 years... Led the team with a pair of forced fumbles and shared team lead with two fumble recoveries... Also ranked sixth on the squad with 33 solo tackles and 49 total tackles... Started every game at CB... Posted at least three tackles in 10 games... Had defensed passes in five consecutive early-season games, including posting three breakups in win over Eastern Michigan and in narrow loss to Georgia... Named team's Defensive Player of the Week after notching first career interception and four tackles at Auburn... Returned fumble 25 yards in Eastern Michigan game... Showed talent early in year with four-tackle, two pass breakup effort vs. Alabama... Ended season with at least four tackles in final four games... Posted career bests in solo tackles (6) and total tackles (8) in season finale vs. Wake Forest... Had seven tackles in last-minute loss at Tennessee. 2006: Played in 10 games as a true freshman, contributing primarily on special teams... Also limited action in secondary following injury of safety Ben Koger... Credited with four solo tackles on season... Returned two kickoffs for 23 yards. High School: Four-year starter and captain... Versatile athlete, playing receiver, defensive back, kicker and punter... As senior, posted 40 catches for 750 yards and 10 TDs as receiver, and 85 tackles, 20 defensed passes and two interceptions as DB... Netted 16 INTs, 70 receptions and more than 30 TDs in prep career... Two-time MVP for Golden Tornadoes... Named First-Team 2A All-State by Florida Sports Writers Association and First Team 2A All-Broward County by Miami Herald... Selected to play in Dade-Broward Prep All-Star Game... Three-year starter in basketball, currently averages double digits in points and rebounds. Personal: Myron A. Lewis... Son of Gloria Milligan and Myron Lewis Sr... Has four brothers... Mom works for local school system; dad is electrician... Two brothers, Hamin Milligan and Hanik Milligan, are currently playing pro football... Hopes of become business owner... An honors student who enjoys perfect school attendance... Recipient of Horatio Algers Scholarship.
BRADLEY VIERLING, C, VANDERBILT SENIOR WARMINSTER, PA.
2008: Junior offensive co-captain with wide receiver George Smith, despite coming into the season without a single career start... Started all 13 games at center... Leader on and off the field: helped motivate and lead young offensive line that entered the season collectively with three total career starting assignments... Played nearly 95 percent of offensive snaps, more than any other offensive lineman... Opened season with strong performances, earning "winning" blocking grade after Miami (Ohio), South Carolina and Rice victories... Earned team's top offensive line grade - 94% - after superb effort in victory over Auburn... Coaches also gave "winning" performance following Kentucky victory... Also served on team's leadership council. 2007: One of team's most versatile linemen, Vierling saw substantial action at both right guard and center as a redshirt sophomore... Saw action in every game though did not enjoy starting assignment... Averaged nearly 30 plays per game rotating with guard Merritt Kirchoffer and center Hamilton Holliday... Consistently earned "winning" blocking performance from offensive coaches. 2006: Saw action in nine games backing up center Hamilton Holliday and the offensive guard corps... First career action came against Arkansas... Like fellow redshirt freshman Ryan Custer, playing time increased as injuries became a factor midway through season... Saw time in last six games of season. 2005: Redshirted as freshman... Practiced as center and guard... Impressed coaches last fall, earning team's postseason Offensive Scout Player of the Week honors... Named team's top offensive scout after Ole Miss, Georgia and Tennessee games. High School: Senior captain for Patriots... Three-year starter at offensive tackle... Also started at defensive tackle and defensive end as junior and senior... Team MVP in 2004... Three-time most valuable lineman award recipient... Named Second Team All-State and First Team All Southeastern Pennsylvania by Philadelphia Inquirer... Nominated for Big 33 All-Star Game... Captain of basketball squad... As center, averaged 12.4 points... All-Region performer as thrower in track & field, with bests of 159'11" (discus) and 52'9" (shot put). Personal: Bradley Lewis Vierling... Son of Ronald and Collette Vierling... Has a brother and two sisters... Dad is corporate vice president... School produced Atlanta Falcons starting safety Bryan Scott... Sings in school choirs and enjoys playing the drums.