Gardner-Webb University Athletics

Preseason All-Big South Conference selection at the MIKE linebacker position by the league’s head coaches and media … Changed jersey numbers to #1 in May ... Returning starter … Will challenge for FCS All-America honors in 2019 … Blossomed after moving from an outside linebacker spot to his natural inside position … Emotional leader defensively … Has a knack for making plays … Sound tackler who is comfortable with the position … Runs well and has improved size and strength over the past two seasons.

2018 at Gardner-Webb: Named second-team All-Big South after a breakout season … Started all 11 games … Finished the season with 75 total tackles (36 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks … Recovered two fumbles and an interception … Forced one fumble … Broke up four passes and registered three quarterback pressures … Two-time Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Week … Made a career-high 14 total tackles (nine solo) and broke up two passes vs. Presbyterian (11/3) … Had 13 stops, a forced fumble and a 16-yard interception return at Campbell (10/27) … Made 11 tackles at ETSU (10/6) … Had seven tackles and a tackle for loss vs. Western Carolina (9/14) … Had a sack at Appalachian State (9/22) … Made eight stops (four solo), forced a fumble and broke up one pass vs. Monmouth (11/17) … Had seven tackles vs. Kennesaw State (10/13). 2017 at Gardner-Webb: Played in all 11 games as a true freshman, seeing action at linebacker and on special teams … Made two starts … Finished with 22 total tackles (14 solo) and one tackle for loss  (minus-3 yards) … Posted 10 tackles combined in the final three games … Had a season-best four stops at No. 22 Monmouth (11/11) and Charleston Southern (11/4) … Had three tackles at No. 25 North Carolina Central (10/14).

High School: Played at Vance (N.C.) High under Coach Aaron Brand … Four-year starter … Played in the 2016 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Earned the Shrine Bowl’s 2016 Spark Plug Award … A first-team All-MECKA 7 Conference selection in 2016 … Played six different positions on defense, ranging from middle linebacker to safety … Finished senior year with 109 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 10 pass break ups … Also forced three fumbles … Had three interception returns for touchdowns as a senior … Earned first-team All-Conference honors as a junior in 2015 … Had 133 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a junior … Broke up two passes and had an 82-yard interception return for a score … Forced four fumbles and recovered three … Led Cougars to a 13-2 record in 2015.