Chris Culliver

Senior who is an honors candidate in the secondary… earned second-team All-SEC accolades as a junior free safety in 2009… listed on the preseason third-team All-SEC squad by both Phil Steele and Athlon magazines… makes the move to cornerback for his final season in the Garnet & Black… did not participate in the spring after undergoing left shoulder surgery during the off season… has excellent speed and quickness… is the Gamecocks[apos] all-time leader in kickoff returns (94) and kickoff return yards (2,215)… the 2,215 yards ranks fifth all-time in the SEC… owns three career interceptions… ranks third on the squad with 25 career starts… was a member of the 2009 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.

2009: Second-team All-SEC pick by the AP and a third-team selection by Phil Steele as a junior free safety… started 12 games… logged 62 tackles, the team[apos]s third-highest total… also returned 26 kickoffs for 585 yards, an average of 22.5 yards per return… had four kick returns for 122 yards, including a 57-yard burst at Georgia… also logged six tackles, including five solo stops, and recovered a fumble in that contest… broke the school record for career kickoff returns against FAU… had nine tackles in the win over Ole Miss… returned three kicks for 130 yards in the win over Kentucky, breaking Dick Harris[apos] school record for kick return yards in a career in the process… had returns of 61 and 49 yards in that contest… tied for the game-high with 11 tackles against Alabama… recorded a key sack late in the Vanderbilt game to preserve the victory… injured his shoulder in the pregame warmups at Tennessee and did not make the trip to Arkansas… returned to the starting lineup against Florida and responded with five tackles including a sack.

2008: Gamecocks[apos] starting free safety and kick returner… started 12 games… logged 60 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss… credited with three interceptions, three pass break ups and forced two fumbles… forced a key fumble at Ole Miss that Emanuel Cook returned 52 yards… had six tackles and his first two career interceptions at Kentucky… his second pick came in the game[apos]s final minute, sealing the win… had a season-high nine tackles against LSU… tied for the team lead with six tackles in the win over Tennessee, including a five-yard sack… forced a fumble against Clemson… had seven tackles and his third interception of the season in the Outback Bowl against Iowa… ranked fourth in the SEC in kick returns, averaging 24.1 yards per return)… had a career-long 67 yard kickoff return in the win over Tennessee.

2007: Named to Sporting News All-SEC Freshman team as a kick returner… returned 34 kicks for 809 yards… his 23.8-yard average ranked eighth in the SEC… his 809 kick return yards ranked second in school history, behind only the 880 yards logged by Dick Harris in 1970… had a trio of 44-yard kickoff returns… made his first and only start at wide receiver against Tennessee.

HIGH SCHOOL: Accounted for over 270 tackles in his final two seasons at Garner (N.C.) High School… graduated in 2007… credited with 147 tackles and four interceptions as a senior… although he started only a handful of games on offense, logged 1,500 all-purpose yards and returned four kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns… was the MVP for the East squad in the Offense-Defense All-Star Game after catching three passes for 97 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown reception… also played in the Shrine Bowl… produced 127 tackles, seven sacks and two picks as a junior… was a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, the Gamecocks[apos] first five-star signee since Demetris Summers in 2003… considered by Rivals.com as the top player in the state of North Carolina and the third-best wide receiver in the country… Rivals.com ranked him as the 19th-best prospect in the country regardless of position, making him USC[apos]s highest-rated recruit since Greenwood linebacker Ricardo Hurley was ranked No. 17 among the class of [apos]02… a four-star prospect and rated as the No. 13 safety in the country by Scout.com… rated the 37th-best defensive back in the nation and the seventh-best player in the state of North Carolina by SuperPrep… did not play football until his sophomore year.

PERSONAL: Chris Culliver was born August 17, 1988… is a sport and entertainment management major… selected Carolina over Florida and NC State.