Played high school ball at Chicago Catholic League power St. Rita, where he won a football state championship and pitched on the baseball team. Had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder as a senior. Committed to then-head coach Al Groh and the Cavaliers and redshirted in 2007. A 3-4 defensive end, started all 12 games in ’08, recording 35-8-4 with a forced fumble, three pass breakups and a blocked FG attempt. Started 10 games in ’09 and tallied 45-5-2 with three batted passes and a blocked PAT. Sat out against Georgia Tech and Duke while nursing a high right ankle sprain. Moved inside in a 4-3 scheme in ’10 and posted 36-51⁄2-21⁄2 with one forced fumble and a batted pass. In ’11, started all 13 games — the first 12 at DT and at DE in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl — and recorded 66-12-3 with three batted passes, two forced fumbles and three blocked kicks.

Fine eyes and instincts — quickly locates the ball and fights through clutter. Good motor, effort and hustle. Flashes a mean streak. Outstanding worker. Highly competitive. 

Tends to play too upright and get hung up on blocks. Naturally outleveraged. Does not play to his size. Marginal anchor strength vs. the double-team. Relies too much on his upper-body strength. Plays out of control.

High-motor college defensive tackle who projects best outside in a 3-4 defense in the pros. A developmental five-technique who must prove he can overcome leverage deficiency.