Antonio Appleby, ILB

Former UVA star Chris Long and outside linebacker Clint Sintim earned most of the credit for the success of Al Groh's 3-4 scheme, but Appleby's size and physicality in the middle made him just as integral. With the focus on gaudy statistics, it isn't difficult to understand why Appleby never received more attention. His average output of 67 tackles and six tackles for loss over his three years as a starter isn't eye-popping. For teams looking for a physical inside linebacker prospect capable of making an immediate contribution in a 3-4 alignment, Appleby makes sense as a second-day prospect.

Positives: Prototypical build for the position. … Thick, powerful build. … Good lateral agility to elude the blocker in space. … Physical in taking on blockers. … Good upper and core strength to handle the blocker. … Rarely pushed back and has the strength to slide off blocks to make the tackle at the point of attack. … Squares up to make the tackle in the hole. … Good physical pop and wraps his arms for the secure tackle. … Experienced blitzer who can close with an open lane.

Negatives: Good bulk and strength, but struggles to disengage from blocks. … Lacks the closing burst preferred for the position. … Lunges at the ballcarrier, too often missing tackles. … Marginal speed to the flanks. … Lacks the speed and lateral agility to be effective in coverage.

Started all 13 games at inside linebacker … was in on 60 tackles, the second-highest total of his career … had five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks … had sacks against Wyoming, NC State and Miami … broke up six passes, third on the team and tops among the linebackers … helped defense allow just nine rushing touchdowns, the second fewest in the ACC and fifth fewest nationally … career-high 11 tackles in the opener vs. Wyoming to share the team lead … six tackles in three gamesGeorgia Tech, NC State and Wake Forest … season-high two tackles for loss vs. NC State.

Assumed a starting position for all 12 games at inside linebacker … blessed with good quickness, lateral speed and solid tackling skills … finished second on the team with 68 total tackles … combined with Jon Copper to produce 149 tackles in UVa's 3-4 scheme … participated in 732 plays, the second most on the defense … five QB pressures tied for third most on team … recorded seven tackles in games vs. Wyoming, Western Michigan, East Carolina, NC State and Miami … season-high three TFL vs. Wyoming … earned his second letter.

Played in every game with two starts … saw his playing time increase progressively throughout the fall … started the final regular season game against Miami and the Music City Bowl vs. Minnesota, in place of Ahmad Brooks, who was injured … saw extensive action on the punt team, as well as the kickoff and punt return teams … 27 tackles led the team's true freshmen … did not see his first action from scrimmage until the third game against Duke … had two tackles in that game … three tackles against Boston College began a string of four straight games with at least two tackles … two stops vs. North Carolina and Temple … was in on six tackles in his first start against Miami … one of his tackles resulted in a three-yard loss … made a career-high 10 stops, including eight solos, in the Music City Bowl win over Minnesota … lettered.

SuperPrep All-American from Salem HS … Coached by Vincent Pugh … Ranked as the nation's No. 25 linebacker by SuperPrep and No. 30 by Scout.com … Four stars according to Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 45 Hot East 100 by Scout.com … Listed as the nation's No. 9 tight end by ESPN.com and No. 27 by CollegeFootballNews.com … No. 30 strongside defensive end by Rivals.com … Rated as the sixth-best player in Virginia by SuperPrep and Scout.com and No. 14 by Rivals.com … Second-team All-State defensive lineman as a senior … Made 53 tackles, eight for loss, and six quarterback sacks despite missing three games with an injury … Also caught 12 passes for 12 yards and a touchdown … Earned All-Tidewater honor twice … All-Beach District as a defensive lineman and second-team at tight end in 2004 … Made 83 tackles, 23 for loss, and 17 sacks as a junior … Discus thrower for the track team … Also played basketball.

Antonio Deshawn Appleby … Born 1-25-87 in Helena, Ark. … Son of Shunette and Tony Appleby … Has a younger brother, Miles.