Smart, veteran linebacker who is competing for playing time ... has made tremendous improvement ... plays very well against the passing game ... one of the Tigers' most experienced linebackers ... entered 2011 season with 23 career games played and five starts ... has 101 tackles in college career ... made five tackles and intercepted a pass in 2008 Spring Game ... was a freshman "red shirt" in 2007.
2011 SEASON: Appeared in season opener against Morgan State as reserve linebacker ... made five tackles against Morgan.
2010 SEASON: Played in all 11 games at linebacker ... started twice ... made 59 tackles, fifth on the team ... had two tackles for lost yardage and intercepted a pass ... led Tigers to five-overtime win over Coastal Carolina with a career high 12 tackles ... led Tigers in tackles against Coastal Carolina ... made six tackles in season opener at Indiana ... also made six tackles against Massachusetts ... made nine tackles and intercepted a pass against #7 James Madison ... contributed six tackles at Richmond ... made five tackles against Rhode Island ... had four tackles against Maine in home finale.
2009 SEASON: Appeared in three games at linebacker ... made four tackles and recovered a fumble ... made three tackles in Tigers' upset bid against top-ranked Richmond ... also had a tackle against Delaware ... recovered a fumble against Delaware ... recovered a fumble at the Delaware 44-yard line in the fourth quarter to set up Tigers' final touchdown against the Blue Hens.
2008 SEASON: Appeared in 10 games at linebacker and started three times ... started three straight games at mid-season ... made first career start in win over Rhode Island ... suffered injury against William & Mary and missed two games ... returned to action for season finale against James Madison ... made 22 tackles to finish 13th on the team ... had 2.5 tackles for lost yardage ... also recovered a fumble ... made career high six tackles, including 1.5 tackles for lost yardage, in starting role at New Hampshire ... had five tackles against William & Mary ... helped Tigers to win over Columbia with three tackles ... had two tackles at Coastal Carolina ... made four tackles in season finale against James Madison ... had one tackle for lost yardage against the Dukes ... also recovered a fumble by JMU quarterback Rodney Landers at the Tigers' 10-yard line to stop a scoring drive.
AT NORTHWEST H.S.: Honored as first team All-Montgomery 4A League selection at linebacker ... led the Jaguars to a 12-1 record, including an undefeated regular season, as a senior ... honored as the Jaguars' Defensive Player of the Year twice ... named first team All-Montgomery County ... also named second team all-district ... set school record with 84 tackles as a junior ... made 12 tackles, recovered a fumble and forced a fumble in win over Damascus as a junior ... led Coach Randy Trivers' Jaguars to a division championship and a regional championship ... earned second team All-Area ... member of state championship team as a sophomore in 2004 ... key performer for the Jaguars' basketball team and track team.
PERSONAL: Has two sisters ... lists parents as the people he admires the most ... career goal is to work in law enforcement ... hobbies include basketball and music ... had summer job working construction ... favorite athlete is LeBron James ... favorite actor is Denzel Washington ... enjoys eating Mexican food ... has two uncles who played basketball at Fayetteville State ... father is an engineer ... mother is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma who works as a school secretary ... son of James Patterson and Sherrin Sharpe ... born on December 25, 1988 in Lumberton, N.C.
