A four-star prospect and one of the best tight end prospects in the country as a California prep. Also averaged a double-double in basketball in addition to lettering in track and baseball. His father passed away just weeks before signing day. Redshirted in 2007. Saw action in all 12 contests at offensive line, tight end and on special teams, making two starts at tight end, grabbing one pass for three yards in ‘08. Caught one pass for five yards in 11 contests in ’09 as a reserve tight end and as a special-teams player. Missed three games because of injury - Arizona and Oregon State (concussion) and the EagleBank Bowl against Temple (quadriceps). Switched to the defensive side of the ball for the ’10 season and appeared in all 12 games, starting eight contests – the first four at defensive end and the next four at defensive tackle – and recorded 21 tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack with one pass batted down. Appeared in all 14 games, making five consecutive starts late in the season at DT, and managed 16-2 1/2-1 with one pass batted down in '11.