One of the most experienced players on the 1999 Demon Deacon roster at any position and a true leader on this year's defensive unit … a three-time selection to the ACC All-Academic team (in 1995, 1997 & 1998) … now seeking a fourth straight honor in that category, which has been achieved only three times in conference history … should be a strong candidate for postseason honors simply as a player, too, this coming fall … led the 1998 Deacs in total tackles (75) as well as unassisted stops (59) … has a thorough grasp of the WFU defensive scheme, knowing not only where he should be but where his teammates are supposed to be as well … of course, some of that knowledge has come through personal experience since he has played both safety positions and even some outside linebacker during his career … the current starter at free safety as August preparations begin and should be able to command the defense effectively from that post … played as a true freshman in 1995, but then was sidelined with a stress fracture in his lower back the following year … after that redshirt season, he returned as a starter in '97 and has not been out of the lineup since … has a total of 25 career starts as a Deacon, including the last 22 games in a row … an emotional leader in practice and in games, always encouraging his teammates to produce their best effort … also a leader by example -- he ranked first on the squad in the overall strength index during offseason testing … now wants nothing more than to lead his team to its best season during his career this fall.
1998: As productive and consistent as any Deacon defender throughout the year … started all 11 games and was seldom off the field … played 50-or-more defensive snaps in every contest, five times topping the 70-play figure … credited with five-or-more tackles in nine outings with a high of 10 (9 solo) versus App State … also reached double figures in stops with 10 (8 solo) in finale at Georgia Tech … turned in an outstanding effort against North Carolina with nine tackles (8 solo), including two for negative yardage, and an interception that sparked a second-half WFU comeback … made just five tackles at Maryland, but his fourth-quarter interception stopped a Terp drive and led to the game-clinching field goal … was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week after that outstanding performance … played safety through the first seven games, then moved to outside linebacker due to injuries at the linebacker position the final month … totaled four tackles behind the line of scrimmage during that period, including two versus Florida State … credited with 10 TFLs on the year, the third-highest total on the team.
1997: Durable and consistent performer throughout the season … played 50-or-more snaps in 10 of 11 games (all but Florida State) … most active outings came versus North Carolina and Maryland in which he was on the field for all 80 plays in both contests … recorded a eight tackles and a fumble caused at UNC … made six stops and broke up a pass in the win over the Terrapins … top single game performance, though, came in the victory over NC State when he delivered nine hits (6 solo), including a sack, and came up with his first career interception … other notable efforts came with six tackles against both Georgia Tech and Clemson … finished the year fifth on the team with his 51 total stops.
1995: Did not play in first two games, then made an impact in his Deacon debut versus Clemson by totaling 10 tackles (8 solo) in an outstanding performance … caused one fumble and recovered another that night, too … followed that effort the next week with nine stops at Navy … worked his way into the starting lineup at Florida State where he contributed six tackles … started again the next Saturday at North Carolina and recorded a season-high 12 hits (9 solo) while on the field for 79 plays … return of senior Alexis Sockwell from injury list affected his playing time the last month, but he still finished ninth on the team in total tackles with 54.
BACKGROUND: Starred on both sides of the ball at Howard High under coach John Quinn … selected all-metro as a defensive back by both the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post , as well as being named county defensive player-of-the-year in '94 … totaled 78 tackles with four sacks and six tackles for loss … record-setting quarterback, too, passing for 16 TDs in '94 (78-of-142 for 1,097 yards) … also scored nine times as a ball-carrier, including once on a 55-yard interception, and once on an 85-yard punt return … averaged an astounding 36.5 yards per runback on 11 punt returns (for 401 yards) … was all-county and second team all-metro as a junior at quarterback … team captain and two-year letterman in basketball as a point guard … a National Honor Society member who has continued that outstanding academic work at WFU by qualifying for the Dean's List and ACC Honor Roll, as well as the conference All-Academic team as noted above … received his degree in history this past May and is now enrolled in the Master Teacher Fellows program … also active in outreach programs at Wake Forest and in his hometown … honored by the Severn, MD, Youth Football organization last fall for the example he has set for youth in that area … age 22 (born 1/14/77).
CAREER STATISTICS
UT AT TOTAL TFL FR/FC PBU
1995 39 15 54 4/-9 1/1 2
1997 37 14 51 1/-8 0/2 2
1998 59 16 75 10/-33 0 1
TOTALS 135 45 180 15/-50 1/3 5
MOST TACKLES
12 at North Carolina, 10/21/95
DOUBLE FIGURE TACKLES
12 at North Carolina, 10/21/95
10 vs Clemson, 9/16/95
10 vs App State, 10/3/98
10 at Georgia Tech, 11/21/98
MOST UNASSISTED TACKLES
9 at North Carolina, 10/21/95; vs App State, 10/3/98
INTERCEPTIONS
vs NC State, 9/25/97
at Maryland, 10/17/98
vs North Carolina, 10/24/98
