Sean Weatherspoon, OLB

Just the third player in Missouri history to lead the team in tackles three times in a career, Weatherspoon's 413 career tackles rank third in school history and 10th all-time in the Big Twelve Conference. His 155 tackles in 2008 rank second on the Tigers' season-record list, placing seventh on the league's annual record book, while finishing fifth nationally that season.

While his tackle totals stand out, there are other aspects of his game that make Weatherspoon rank with the elite at his position in college football. His 12.5 sacks rank 13th in school history, as 10.53 percent of his tackles came from behind the line of scrimmage (43.5). Six of his seven quarterback pressures either came on third-down snaps or caused interceptions. Five of his nine forced turnovers led to Missouri scores, including two interceptions that he returned for touchdowns.

The cousin of former WNBA star Teresa Weatherspoon, Sean was a versatile athlete who was an accomplished three-sport star at Jasper High School. He was named the Texas District 22-3A Player of the Year as a senior, after making 98 tackles, eight stops for loss, four sacks and two interceptions from his linebacker position. He added second-team All-State honors while also competing as a receiver, catching 27 passes 428 yards and seven touchdowns that season.

Weatherspoon was named first-team All-District as a junior, registering 105 tackles, six stops for loss, a pair of sacks and three interceptions. He was chosen Class 22-3A Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 2003, when he amassed 101 stops, three behind the line of scrimmage and two interceptions. He added All-State honors in track as a high jumper and was an All-District performer as a guard in basketball.

Nicknamed "Spoon," which is what most everyone who knows him refers to him by, the Missouri staff found him to be a very engaging personality when he arrived on campus as a freshman. He spent most of his freshman season playing on special teams, actually recording his first collegiate play by blocking a punt vs. Murray State in the 2006 season opener. He finished that year with seventeen tackles (11 solos).

With a struggling defense needing an infusion, the coaches inserted Weatherspoon into the starting lineup at weak-side outside linebacker in 2007 and the Tigers went from being the 58th-ranked rush defense the previous year to 25th. The sophomore earned first-team All-Big Twelve Conference honors, as he placed himself 12th on the school season-record list with 130 tackles (77 solos), ranking fourth in the league. He broke up eight passes, caused two fumbles and delivered 9.5 of his hits behind the line of scrimmage.

A junior All-American and All-Big Twelve pick, Weatherspoon was a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. He led the conference and ranked fifth nationally with 155 tackles (76 solo), the second-highest season figure by a Tigers player. He had 18.5 of those stops for losses, returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns and broke up seven passes.

Weatherspoon seriously considered leaving the university and applying for the 2009 NFL Draft, but returned to school for his final season, stating his desire to win a conference title after losing in the championship game the last two seasons. Again named a Butkus Award finalist, he finished third in the conference and led the squad with 111 tackles (76 solos). He delivered 14.5 of those hits for losses, including 4.5 sacks.

Read & React: Good instincts and reaction speed -- knows the game and plays very fast. Reads plays quickly. Easily identifies screen and bootleg and takes away the open check-down receiver in the flat. A bit overzealous against the run. Will take false steps, bite on play-action and run past the ball in the backfield.

Run defense: Very good chase defender who comes downhill in a hurry, especially if the play goes east-west. Scrapes down the line and finds the opening to attack the running back. Physical but tries to avoid linemen in traffic, picking his way through to the ball. Spies the quarterback to prevent long runs on scrambles, and will beat them to the corner from the middle. Usually takes the right chase angle, but is quick enough to recover if the ballcarrier cuts back. Will take on fullback and lineman blocks inside, but does not have the size or punch needed to regularly disengage. Also has troubles getting off run blocks from larger receivers.

Pass defense: Recognizes routes in zone coverage, and is quick enough to lay a lick on receivers coming into his area. Gets deep in his drop and covers a lot of ground. Good enough change-of-direction agility in space to stick with receivers on the edge and run with backs and tight ends over the middle. Runs down the seam with almost any receiver. Natural athlete with very good hand-eye coordination for the interception or pass breakup. Uses quickness and hands to avoid cut blocks by receivers in space. Will face matchup difficulties against taller, faster tight ends at the next level.

Tackling: Wraps up elusive ballcarriers in space. Can line them up for the explosive tackle if given the chance. Pounds receivers coming over the middle, using his shoulder to lay them out. Will overpursue plays or hit a hole before the runner has reached it, opening a cutback lane. Relies on hitting with his shoulder, which will be an issue at the next level. Undisciplined breaking down in space, allowing elusive runners to go around him.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Effective blitzer who finds a hole and explodes through it. Quick enough to elude fullbacks in the hole to get to the quarterback. Can close quickly on quarterbacks and puts on major hits. Works through blocks from tight ends on the edge and linemen or running backs inside to rush the passer. Times jumps to knock down passes on his way to the quarterback.

Intangibles: Upbeat, infectious attitude on the practice field translates as the team's emotional leader.

Weatherspoon started each of his final 41 games at weak-side outside linebacker … Saw action in 53 games, recording 413 tackles (240 solo) with 12.5 sacks for minus-93 yards, 43.5 stops for losses totaling 176 yards and seven quarterback pressures … Caused five fumbles and recovered another … Intercepted four passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns, adding 17 pass deflections while gaining nine yards on a blocked punt … His 413 tackles rank third in school history behind James Kinney (434, 2001-04) and DeMontie Cross (415, 1994-96) while placing 10th on the Big Twelve Conference all-time record chart … His 155 tackles in 2008 rank second on the university's season-record list behind

Travis McDonald (164 in 1994) and tied Alvin Bowen of Iowa State (2006) for seventh place on the Big Twelve's annual record chart … Joined Darren McDonald (1987-89) and James Kinney (2002-04) as the only players in school history to lead the team in tackles three times in a career … Ranks 13th on the school career chart with 12.5 quarterback sacks.

Second-team All-American selection by the Associated Press, The Sporting News and Walter Camp, earning third-team honors from The NFL Draft Report … Butkus Award finalist, Lombardi Award semifinalist and Lott Trophy quarterfinalist … First-team All-Big Twelve Conference choice by the league's coaches and Associated Press … Earned Lott Trophy Player of the Week honors vs. Colorado … Recipient of the team's Hammer Award, Linebacker of the Year Award, Missouri MO Spirit Award and Don Faurot Inspiration Award … The team captain started all 13 games at weak-side linebacker, leading the squad while ranking third in the league with 111 tackles (76 solo) that included 4.5 sacks for minus-21 yards, 14.5 stops for losses of 44 yards and one quarterback pressure … Had two pass deflections and a 6-yard interception return … Also caused one fumble.

All-American second-teram choice by The NFL Draft Report, adding third-team accolades from Rivals.com and the Associated Press … The Butkus Award finalist was a first-team All-Big Twelve Conference pick … Named Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP … Bednarik Award semi-finalist, Lott Trophy quarter-finalist and Lott Trophy National Defensive Player of the Week vs. Kansas State … Named Big Twelve Defensive Player of the Week vs. Buffalo and Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week vs. Illinois … Hammer Award Winner (Most Big Hits) and named the team's Linebacker of the Year … Started all 14 games at weak-side linebacker, leading the team and conference while ranking fifth nationally with 155 tackles (76 solo), the second-highest season total in school history … Had five sacks for minus-46 yards and ranked third in the Big Twelve while leading the team with 18.5 stops for losses of 75 yards … Credited with six pressures, as he caused a pair of fumbles and deflected seven passes … Returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns, totaling 100 yards.

All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection by the Associated Press, San Antonio Express-News and Rivals.com, adding second-team honors from the league's coaches, Dallas Morning News, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and Waco Tribune-Herald … Named the team's Linebacker of the Year and was the Hammer Award Winner (Most Big Hits) … Moved into the starting lineup at weak-side linebacker, leading the team with 130 tackles (77 solo), which rank 12th on the school season-record list … Finished fourth in the league with an average of 9.07 tackles per game … Registered three sacks for minus-26 yards and 9.5 stops for losses of 45 yards … Caused two fumbles, recovered another and deflected eight passes.

Named the team's Team Special Teams Player of the Year, as the freshman played in twelve games, recording 17 tackles (11 solos) with a stop for a 12-yard loss while listing second on the depth chart at middle linebacker … In his collegiate debut vs. Murray State, he had five tackles and blocked a punt that went out of the end zone for a safety.

2008: Displayed his toughness during spring camp, when he suffered torn labrum in his shoulder toward the middle of the camp, but he chose to finish camp before getting surgery so that he could get the experience and help lead the Tiger defense … Despite playing in pain, still led the way and had four tackles, including two for loss in the Black & Gold Game.

Campus: 4.62 in the 40-yard dash … 1.60 10-yard dash … 2.59 20-yard dash … 4.38 20-yard shuttle … 11.59 60-yard shuttle … 6.99 three-cone drill … 40-inch vertical jump … 10'3" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 34 times … 31 1/4-inch arm length … 10 1/4-inch hands.

Attended Jasper (Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Danny Lauve …

Named the Texas District 22-3A Player of the Year as a senior, after making 98 tackles, eight stops for loss, four sacks and two interceptions from his linebacker position …

Added second-team All-State honors while also competing as a receiver, catching 27 passes 428 yards and seven touchdowns that season … Named first-team All-District as a junior, registering 105 tackles, six stops for loss, a pair of sacks and three interceptions … Chosen Class 22-3A Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 2003, when he amassed 101 stops, three behind the line of scrimmage and two interceptions … Added All-State honors in track as a high jumper and was an All-District performer as a guard in basketball.

Business major, enrolled in the School of Business … Cousin of former WNBA star, Teresa Weatherspoon … His family originated in Pineland, Texas and moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 1984. The family moved back to Texas in 1988, settling in Jasper … Son of Develous Weatherspoon and Elwanda Martin Weatherspoon … Born Franklin De'Sean Weatherspoon on 12/29/87 in Greenville, South Carolina … Resides in Jasper, Texas.