Gardner-Webb University Athletics

Returning All-Big South Conference choice at defensive end … Will look to repeat that honor in 2017 … Has great size, but continues to possess exceptional agility as well … Capable of impacting a game as a pass rusher, but is also a very sturdy tackler against the run … Capable of moving inside if needed, but has excelled in his current role … Posted a 30-inch vertical leap during spring testing, despite gaining 12 pounds since the end of last season … Anchors what is a very experienced defensive line group.

2016 at Gardner-Webb: Earned second-team All-Big South Conference honors at defensive end … Played in 11 games and earned 10 starts … Posted 27 total tackles (18 solo), 6.0 tackles for loss (minus-26 yards) and a team-high 5.0 quarterback sacks (minus-25 yards) … Forced one fumble and had one quarterback hurry … Had a pair of sacks and forced a fumble at Ohio (9/24) … Collected three sacks in Big South play, including one each vs. Presbyterian (10/8), Liberty (10/29) and No. 8 Charleston Southern (11/5) … Had a season-high seven total tackles (six solo) and a sack at Liberty (10/29) … Made six stops at Western Carolina (9/10) … Had three tackles and a tackle for loss vs. No. 15 Coastal Carolina (10/15). 2015 at Gardner-Webb: Played in 11 games as a true sophomore … Saw playing time increase over season’s final three games … Finished with six total tackles (one solo) and a tackle for loss … Posted one quarterback pressure … Had three assisted stops at No. 8 Coastal Carolina (11/7) … Made two tackles vs. ETSU (11/14) … Had one solo stop vs. Monmouth (11/21) … Had one quarterback pressure at Presbyterian (10/31).

Junior College: Played one season at national junior college powerhouse Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) College under Coach Bob Jastrab, helping the Mounties to another national championship … Helped team to an 11-2 mark, a State Championship and the Southern California title … Defeated state rival City College of San Francisco 27-17 in the California State Championship Game … Saw action in six games while rotating with a veteran defensive line group … Totaled nine tackles and had two tackles for loss … Part of a Mounties' defense that allowed just 89.8 rushing yards per game.

High School: Played high school football on the island of American Samoa … Starred at middle linebacker for island power Samoana High under Coach Silasila Samuelu … One of five recipients of the June Jones Foundation Academic Scholarship on American Samoa in 2013-2014 … Helped Sharks to a runner up finish in the 2013 ASHSAA title game, earning Defensive MVP honors in the process … Played in the same program as former Gardner-Webb defensive tackle Phillip Fata … Samoana is also the alma mater of NFL standouts Domata Peko (Bengals), Isaac Sopoaga (49ers) and Matt Toeaina (Bears) … Chose Gardner-Webb over Division I FBS program Idaho.