Major: African-American and African Studies (2008), Undeclared (2006-07)

Weight: 205 (2008), 200 (2006-07), 180 (2005)

2008 Media Guide: Versatile veteran in the Buckeye secondary … a good athlete with outstanding speed who can literally play any of the four defensive back positions … enjoys the physical aspect of playing safety.

2007: Experienced contributor at safety and on special teams …14 tackles for the season … forced and recovered an Akron fumble … Jack Tatum hit of week: Northwestern … special teams dog tags: Penn State, Illinois … third-year letterman.

2007 Media Guide: Starting strong safety who could factor into postseason honors in 2007 … became a starter midway through his sophomore season … has played in all 25 games since arriving in Columbus as a freshman in 2005 … lettered as a true freshman on the special teams and continues to be a contributor there, but also helps hold things together in the back on defense … was moved to safety to take advantage of his speed and ability to close and hit … is a good athlete with outstanding speed who
can literally play any of the four defensive back positions.

2006: Took over the starting spot at strong safety in week six at Iowa and stayed in the starting lineup the next seven weeks to close out the season … played in all 13 games … hauled in his first collegiate interception in the win over Minnesota … finished the regular season with 30 tackles, including 14 solo.

2006 Media Guide: Very much in the mix to start at strong safety … lettered last year as a true freshman on the special teams … also got on field from time-to-time as the nickel back … was moved from cornerback to safety during two-a-days to take advantage of his speed and ability to close and hit … bigger and stronger than he was a year ago (has added 10 pounds) … enjoys the physical aspect of playing safety … is still green around the edges, but will be fun to watch as he comes of age.

2005: Ohio State coaches wasted little time deciding not to redshirt him … played in all 12 games for a total of 29 minutes … played seven minutes in the season opener against Miami and five minutes against Indiana and Northwestern … a solo stop at Indiana on kickoff coverage was his first collegiate tackle … had his first career assisted tackle against Northwestern three weeks later.

High School: Parade All-American … ranked as the No. 3 cornerback in the nation and the No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com and Scout.com … Prep Star Magazine ranked him third among the country’s defensive backs, while ESPN’s Tom Lemming listed him as the No. 5 cornerback … clocked at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash … started at cornerback in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Jan. 15 … 65 tackles, three interceptions and three quarterback sacks as a senior … 2004 first-team All-Ohio defensive back … was teammates with fellow OSU signee Freddie Lenix … that duo helped Glenville to the Ohio Div. I state semifinal in 2004 … joins former Tarblooders Donte Whitner, Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Curtis Terry at Ohio State … was Ohio State’s first verbal commitment to its 2005 recruiting class, committing before his junior season … also a track and field standout, placing fifth in the state in the 100-meter dash at the 2004 state championships … played for Ted Ginn Sr. … played his first two years of high school ball at Mansfield Senior before transferring to Glenville.

Personal: Is the son of Walter Jefferson … has six siblings, four older and two younger … enjoys listening to music and playing video games … wants to establish himself at safety and become the best in the country … favorite place on campus is The Oval … favorite music artist is Lil Wayne … favorite NFL player is Donte Whitner.