A senior for whom the coaches have high expectations . . . has good speed and knowledge of the game . . . is an experienced player who should have his best season this fall.

2007: Started all 11 games at linebacker . . . second on the team with 82 tackles, including 53 solo stops . . . had four tackles for a loss . . . had seven tackles, including six solo stops at Georgia Tech . . . tallied eight tackles, including six solo tackles at Tennessee-Martin . . . had nine tackles, all solo, against Austin Peay . . . tallied 11 tackles at Tennessee Tech . . . had a season-high 13 tackles at Eastern Illinois.

2006: Saw action in eight games, starting seven . . . ranked fourth on the team with 39 tackles, including 31 solo stops . . . had five tackles at Southeast Missouri . . . five tackles at Murray State . . . four tackles and a sack against Tennessee-Martin . . . had seven tackles at Tennessee State . . . had a career-high nine tackles, all solo, against Tennessee Tech . . . registered seven tackles at Jacksonville State.

2005: Saw action in eight games . . . tallied 17 tackles, including 11 solo stops . . . had one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown . . . had four tackles at Eastern Illinois . . . totaled four tackles against Southeast Missouri . . . had a season-high five tackles and returned a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown against Murray State.

High School: Named All-Metro and All-County at Sparkman High School in Huntsville . . . named his team's defensive captain . . . also competed in soccer, track and wrestling . . . was a two-time sectional winner and placed second in the state in wrestling.

Personal: Born March 28, 1987 . . . son of David and Teresa Smith . . . majoring in fitness and health promotion.