Tony Straughter

Former junior college transfer… regarded as one of the squad[apos]s better ‘pure’ linebackers… listed with the second team unit at the Will linebacker position entering the spring behind Shaq Wilson… expected to be more of a contributor in 2010 after gaining a better knowledge of the defensive schemes… has made three career starts.

2009: Junior college transfer who enrolled at Carolina in January… played in 10 of 13 games, making three starts… recovered a fumble on kick coverage at Georgia… earned his first career start against Florida Atlantic and responded with a season-best five tackles… added three solo tackles against both Kentucky and Vanderbilt… also started at Arkansas and vs. Florida when Carolina opened in a three-man front.

2007-08: Played linebacker for coach Bert Williams at Georgia Military College… logged 44.5 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2008… named to the first-team JC Gridwire All-America team… helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-1 regular-season finish and a spot in the Mississippi Bowl… had 10 tackles, including three for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the bowl game, earning Defensive Player of the Game honors… as a freshman he recorded 30 tackles in 10 games… was a Rivals.com four-star prospect and given three stars by Scout.com.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Madison County High School in Florida in 2007.

PERSONAL: Tony Straughter was born November 2, 1988… majoring in sociology.