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NEW MEXICO: Two-year letterman who will battle for time at all three linebacker spots...versatile player who showed flashes of ability early in 2008 before being slowed by nagging injuries...has solid athletic ability and good strength...coaches would like to see him improve his overall speed, but believe he has the talent to be a valuable contributor on defense...experienced special teams player as well...16 career games, mostly on special teams, with 2 spot starts...a redshirt in 2006...name is pronounced ta-RELL awn-ya-EE-bay...the family is originally from Nigeria and the Igbo (ee-bow) tribe, which also has its own language...the last name means "guardian eye"...oldest brother, Mac, is in the Army and has spent time in Iraq and South Korea...other brother, Elris, played defensive tackle at Georgia Tech (2004-08). 2008 (SOPHOMORE): Saw his most significant playing time in the defensive rotation, including starts against Texas A&M (week 2) and New Mexico State (week 5) when the Lobos opened in a 4-3 formation...showed a glimpse of his potential against NMSU with 5 tackles and 3 QB hits/hurries in 44 snaps...sidelined by a calf injury the following week and played mostly special teams when he returned to action in week 8...finished with 11 tackles in his 9 games and got in on 2 tackles for loss (1.0 officially). 2007 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Appeared in 7 games, almost exclusively on special teams, and had one tackle. HIGH SCHOOL: A 2006 graduate of Dallas area DeSoto (Texas) High School...a two-year starter on the defensive line and he played both ways as a senior...first team all-district center in `05, plus19 tackles and 3 sacks on defense...first team all-district defensive end as a junior...played for head coach Dave Meadows...threw the shot put and discus for the track team...served as the community service chairman on the Eagles' student council. PERSONAL: Born Aug. 25, 1988, in Silver Springs, Md...age is 20...son of Chris and Mary...older sister Marline played basketball at the University of Oklahoma for one year before suffering a career-ending injury...major is Psychology. |
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