USF Athletics

A promising linebacker, he gained his first action last season after utilizing a redshirt in 2003...Heads into the 2005 fall as the backup to Ben Moffitt at middle linebacker, but his versatility could see him play at any of the linebacker spots.

SOUTH FLORIDA ? 2004: Played in all 11 games and started the final game of the year against Pittsburgh (Dec. 4)...A regular on special teams...Had eight tackles on the year, including seven solo stops...Season-high three tackles at Louisville (Oct. 22).

2003: Utilized his redshirt season.

JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL - Class 4A first team all-state in 2002 and a member of two consecutive Jefferson teams to reach the state championship game...Ranked 42nd in Florida by Larry Bluestein of FloridaKids.net...Ranked 75th by Orlando Sentinel...Ranked 14th in Tampa Bay by St. Petersburg Times, who also named him first team all-Suncoast and all-county...Also named all-county by Tampa Tribune...Had 130 tackles for a team that reached the Class 4A state championship game for a second straight season in 2002...Also had 866 yards rushing...Team went 24-4 in his final two years...Had over 1,400 rushing yards in his final two years.

PERSONAL ? Born February 14, 1985 in Tampa...Son of Ulus and Nathalie Balloon...Has three brothers and one sister.