Darin Drakeford Class: Junior Hometown: Washington, D.C. High School: Theodore Roosevelt HS Height / Weight: 6-0 / 240 Position: Linebacker Experience: 2V

A speedy, athletic third-year player ... a sure-tackling linebacker who is penciled in as a starter on the outside ... moved from Sam linebacker to Will this spring ... also a solid special teams performer ... played in 24 of 25 games his first two seasons.

As a Sophomore (2010): Played in 12 of 13 games as a reserve linebacker and special-teams player ... his 5.5 tackles for loss on the season tied for fifth on the team ... his 36 tackles ranked 10th on the team and were the most by a non-starter ... tied for second on the squad in special teams tackles (12) ... had four tackles (all solo), including a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss, vs. WVU (9/18) ... had his first career sack and forced fumble when he knocked the ball free from Geno Smith in the second quarter ... missed the FIU game (9/25) with an injury ... returned to action against Duke and had four tackles ... posted two stops, including one tackle for loss, against Clemson (10/16) ... made one tackle against Boston College (10/23) ... had four tackles against Wake Forest (10/30) ... contributed three solo stops, including a tackle for loss, against Miami (11/6) ... matched his career high with five tackles against Virginia (11/13) ... had four tackles against Florida State (11/20) ... posted two solo tackles and his first career pass breakup against NC State (11/27) ... had three tackles and a pass breakup vs. East Carolina in the Military Bowl (12/29) ... earned Iron Terp status for the first time in spring testing ... posted the second-best strength index (675) among linebackers ... had the top power clean (345) among linebackers and ranked second in the squat, 40-yard dash and vertical jump.

As a Freshman (2009): Played in all 12 games, mostly on special teams ... saw increased time at outside linebacker as the season progressed ... tied with Kevin Dorsey for the team lead in special teams tackles (8) ... posted career highs in tackles (5) and solo stops (5) vs. Wake Forest (10/10) ... registered three tackles vs. Florida State (11/21) ... enrolled in classes in January and provided needed depth in the spring.

At Theodore Roosevelt High School: One of the top local players and among the best linebackers in the nation as a senior ... ranked No. 41 nationally among outside linebackers by Scout, Inc. ... also ranked 41st nationally among weakside LBs by Scout.com and No. 77 among outside backers by Rivals.com ... a two-time All-Met selection (first team TE as a senior; second team DL as a junior) ... a four-time All-DCIAA choice ... as a senior, posted 124 tackles, including 14 sacks, and four forced fumbles ... also rushed the ball 24 times for 358 yards, caught nine passes for 229 yards and scored 13 TDs in 2008 ... had 94 tackles, including a school-record 22 sacks, eight caused fumbles and one interception as a junior ... also participated in basketball and track for the Rough Riders ... earned MVP honors for the 2008 city title basketball game ... also considered Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Illinois, Boston College and Duke ... coached by Daryl Tilghman

Personal: Born in Washington, D.C. ... mother is Aretha Alexander ... nickname is Drake ... an American studies major.