Also earned letters in track and field (four) and basketball as a Georgia prep. Played all 13 games as a true freshman in 2007, starting four at outside linebacker, and recorded 22 tackles, four for loss and one sack with one pass breakup and a forced fumble. Did not play in ’08 — was diagnosed with malignant thymoma, a cancer of the thymus gland, and underwent three surgeries that removed a baseball-sized tumor and part of his right lung. Following surgery, endured several months of radiation treatments before being declared cancer-free and returned to field for ’09 spring practice. In 13 games as a reserve left end (one start) in ’09, managed 12-4 1/2-4 with one batted pass and one forced fumble. A pass-rush specialist in ’10, registered 31-9 1/2-8 1/2 with three batted passes and one forced fumble in 13 games.