His mother died when he was 14 years old and he was raised by an aunt. Prepped in Mississippi, excelling in basketball and football before attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, where he was one of the top-ranked outside linebackers in the country. Saw action in all 12 games for Houston in ’10, making 11 starts at "Will" linebacker, and led Conference USA in tackles for loss after logging 76 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 7 1/2 sacks with one pass breakup. Led the FBS in tackles for loss and the conference in sacks in ’11 after posting 93-30-13 1/2 with three pass breakups in 14 starts at the WLB position.

Short, fairly athletic, stand-up pass rusher with agile feet, long arms and active hands who racked up eye-popping tackle for loss numbers — totaled 50 stops behind the line, including 21 sacks, in two seasons at UH. Recorded a 37-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump at his pro day. Plays small against the run and lacks elite motor and flexibility.