Hamilton made a name for himself as a playmaker in the Cavaliers' secondary the last three seasons. His 15 interceptions rank third among active NCAA players ands also placed him third on the school's career record list. He joined Steve Sroba (1971-73), Keith McMeans (1987-88, 90) and Keith Lyle (1991-93) to lead the team in interceptions three times in a career.

Hamilton lettered three times in football at Centreville High School, where he was a Super Prep and Prep Star All-American, and rated the No. 24 defensive back in the nation by Super Prep. He was listed as the No. 9 player in Virginia by the Roanoke Times and the No. 10 player by Super Prep, adding a five-star rating from Max Emfinger.

Hamilton broke up 39 passes during his career, including 18 during his senior season. He allowed only eight completions and no touchdowns that year. The team captain made 16 tackles and had one interception and also returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown as a senior, adding first-team Group AAA all-state, all-district and all-region honors. As a junior, he had 43 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass break-ups to help his team to a state championship.

Hamilton played in the 2002 Florida State game, but suffered a leg contusion on a kickoff return and was redshirted. He played in 12 games as a reserve cornerback in 2003, making 29 tackles (21 solos) with three pass deflections. He started nine contests at boundary corner in 2004, as he collected 54 tackles (36 solos), batted away five passes and led the team with four interceptions.

He again led the team with six interceptions while deflecting seven other passes in 2005, earning second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. He also delivered 63 tackles (46 solos) with five stops for losses while starting all 12 games. Hamilton was a repeat second-team All-ACC pick in 2006. He recorded 39 tackles (27 solos) with 3.5 stops for losses and a fumble recovery. He led the Cavaliers with five pass thefts and broke up four other throws.

In 50 games at Virginia, Hamilton started 32 times. He registered 185 tackles (130 solos) with 10.5 stops for minus-26 yards, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He batted away 19 passes and intercepted 15 others for 127 yards in returns (8.5 avg.).

Positives: Has a lean, yet cut frame with tapered thighs, knotted calves and a tight abdomen … Has natural hands, good leaping ability and above-average timing competing for the ball in flight … Very competitive, showing good mental alertness, doing a good job of framing the quarterback and receiver at the same time … Hard worker with a great ethic and practice habits … Shows the ability to easily diagnose and react to the plays … Uses his hands effectively to jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage … Has the open-field quickness to mirror the receivers' moves … Shows the recovery speed needed handling the switch-offs in the zone and that explosive drive coming out of his backpedal to run down receivers anywhere on the field … Gives a solid effort in run force, staying low in his stance to extend, wrap and secure the ball carrier … Has good hip flexibility turning out of his backpedal, which gives him better quickness in his turn-and-go … Shows timing and leaping ability going up for the pass … Displays soft hands to pluck and snatch the ball … Has a fearless attitude and a willingness to play with pain.

Negatives: Needs to add more bulk to his frame and more power in the weight room … Will lunge at the ball at times in run force, as he tries to compensate for the strength needed to handle the more physical blockers … Smart and instinctive, but there are times where he will bite on fakes, but he utilizes his quickness to recover … Best in the short area, as he lacks the second gear to get back on the route when beaten deep … Uses a shuffle-and-bail technique in his backpedal, but will take false steps at times … Loses relationship with the receiver when training up the seam (adequate acceleration).

Compares To: Daven Holly, Cleveland -- Hamilton might fall off some deep routes and needs to refine his backpedal technique, but there is no questioning his hands and ability to make plays on the ball … He is better when plays are in front of him than when trailing, but in nickel and dime packages, his ability to elevate and come down with the ball will make him an efficient reserve.

2002: Suffered a leg contusion in the season opener vs. Florida State and missed the rest of the season.

Campus: 4.55 in the 40-yard dash … 295-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 11 times … 490-pound squat … 292-pound power clean … 36-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-4 broad jump … 4.26 20-yard shuttle … 6.86 three-cone drill … 31 5/8-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands … Right-handed … Wears contacts.

Attended Centreville (Va.) High School, playing football for head coach Mike Skinner … Lettered three times in football … Super Prep and Prep Star All-American, and rated the No. 24 defensive back in the nation by Super Prep … Listed as the No. 9 player in Virginia by the Roanoke Times and the No. 10 player by Super Prep, adding a five-star rating from Max Emfinger … Broke up 39 passes during his career, including 18 during his senior season … Allowed only eight completions and no touchdowns that year … The team captain made 16 tackles and had one interception and also returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown as a senior, adding first-team Group AAA all-state, all-district and all-region honors … As a junior, he had 43 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass break-ups to help his team to a state championship … Added 41 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass break-ups his sophomore season … Honor Roll student.

Graduated in December 2005, a semester early, with a degree in Sociology and was enrolled in graduate school this season … Son of Christina and Gregory Hamilton, Sr. … Father played football at Boston University in the mid 1970s … Born Marcus Christopher David Hamilton on Feb. 17, 1984 in Fairfax, Va.