One of the top linebackers in the nation ... a second-team allconference selection last season ... the fifth-leading returning tackler in the country (133 stops in 2008) ... an athletic player who has a nose for the ball ... will sit out the spring after offseason knee surgery ... .expected to be healthy for fall camp ... missed the 2007 season after injuring a knee in preseason camp ... posted the second-highest strength index among inside linebackers during spring 2007 testing.