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NEW MEXICO: Third-year safety who broke into the regular defensive rotation as a true freshman in 2006...has been a key reserve in the secondary the past two seasons as well as a special teams standout, covering and returning punts and kicks...will get his first starting opportunity this fall at left wolf safety...62 tackles (2.0 TFL), 6 pass break-ups and 2 interceptions in 23 career games off the bench...undersized, but is a smart player who brings great quickness, tenacity and playmaking ability to the position...surprisingly physical for his size and fearless in run support...has developed into a fine cover man as well...was the Lobos' primary punt returner last year and will be in the mix to return kicks and punts in 2008...added 7 pounds to his frame last year and has made solid improvement in the weight room...shot up the depth chart right away after joining the team in August of '06 and quickly established himself as one of the team's top playmakers...was given the jersey number 96 as a rookie and despite his complaints was forced to keep it due to his lack of seniority in the program...has since embraced the unusual defensive back number and has no plans to change...made his collegiate debut in the second week of the 2006 season at New Mexico State and was one of the first safeties off the bench the rest of the season...two-time Academic all-MWC honoree...also a member of the UNM track team in `07, competing in the long and triple jumps during the indoor season...Solomon is a recipient of the Marion & John Robert Scholarship. 2007 (SOPHOMORE): Was an active player in the secondary and on special teams, coming off the bench in all 13 games...45 tackles, including 22 in the last 4 games of the regular season...2.0 tackles for loss and 2 fumble recoveries as well...7 passes defended with 2 interceptions and 5 pass break-ups...long of 30 yards (3.6 avg.) on his 17 punt returns. `07 HIGHLIGHTS: vs. UNLV...Recorded 5 solo tackles and broke up 2 passes to limit the Rebels to just 142 passing yards and a 38% completion rate (15-40)...also had a 14-yard punt return...at Utah...Made 5 more stops (4 solo) and came out of a pile of offensive linemen to recover a late fumble near the UNM goal line...vs. Colorado State...Big effort against a bruising rushing attack...recorded a career-high 9 tackles, including 6 stops for 3 yards or less...assisted on 2 tackles for loss...vs. Air Force...3 stops and made one of the defensive plays of the game when he fought off a blocker to recover Chad Hall's fumble late in the 4th quarter...at Arizona...Outstanding performance to help the Lobos secure a landmark road win...had 3 pass break-ups and victory-clinching interception on the Wildcats' final drive...knocked away passes into the end zone on back-to-back plays in the 2nd quarter, leading to a missed FG by the Wildcats...finished with 3 tackles, including 1 for loss...vs. New Mexico State...Outstanding effort, recording 5 tackles and making the momentum changing play of the game with his 4th quarter INT deep in UNM territory...showed great concentration in snaring a deflected pass out of midair to help secure the victory...UNM scored 10 unanswered points after the INT...also had a big hit in run support and a 10-yard punt return. 2006 (TRUE FRESHMAN): Played in 10 games off the bench and on special teams after making his collegiate debut in week 2 at New Mexico State...finished with 17 tackles, 3 QB hurries, a pass break-up and forced a fumble...season-high 4 tackles in 33 snaps vs. San Diego State...credited for 2 QB hurries blitzing off the edge vs. San Jose State in the New Mexico Bowl. HIGH SCHOOL: A 2006 graduate of Dallas South Oak Cliff HS...first team all-district safety in 2005 at South Oak Cliff...had 3 interceptions for head coach J.B. Wallace...played basketball, too...had a 3.77 cumulative grade-point-average...spent his first 3 years at Wilmer-Hutchins High School...first team all-district safety as a junior with 66 tackles and 3 picks...also a 3-year starter and all-district centerfielder in baseball, a 2-year starter on the basketball team and district champion in the triple jump. PERSONAL: Born Nov. 24, 1987, in Philadelphia, Pa...age is 20...full name is Frankie Solomon Jr...son of Melissa Neugent...stepfather is David Smith...has a younger brother, Quintell...stepbrother David Smith Jr., played football at Arkansas-Pine Bluff...major is University Studies. |
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