2008 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 10 games for UNCP with nine starts to his credit … Totaled 24 tackles, including six tackles for loss (3-1/2 sacks) … Also forced a pair of fumbles, recovered a fumble and tallied a trio of quarterback hurries … Registered at least three tackles against six different opponents, including four against both Jacksonville and Lane … Totaled three tackles in the season opener at Brevard, including 1-1/2 sacks, as well as a fumble recovery … Made three solo tackles against Jacksonville, as well as forced a fumble … Turned in two solo tackles and two assisted tackles at Lane, while also forcing a fumble that Matthew Fortson picked up and returned 77 yards for a touchdown … Registered a sack assist against both Webber International and Edward Waters, as well as a sack for a loss of 11 yards against Concord at home … Tallied quarterback hurries in consecutive games against Webber International, West Virginia Wesleyan and Edward Waters.
2007 (FRESHMAN): A second team selection to the ICAA all-NCAA Independent squad … A third team selection to the D2Football.com all-NCAA Independent team … Played in all 11 games for UNCP, starting each of the last five games of the season … Ranked fourth on squad with 62 tackles (41 solo), including 10 tackles for loss (6-1/2 sacks), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery … Also turned in five quarterback hurries and two passes broken up … Tallied six or more tackles against five different opponents … Amassed a season-best seven solo tackles (2 TFL) in the season opener at Davidson, as well as a forced fumble … Turned in two sacks against Greensboro in the Braves’ home opener, while tallying four other tackles as well … Tallied a season-best 10 tackles (5 solo) against Webber International … Also recorded a sack against each of UNCP’s last three opponents (Falkner, Concord, North Greenville) … Totaled three quarterback hurries against Faulkner as well … Jumped on forced fumble by James Littlejohn at Chowan in the end zone to record UNCP’s first defensive touchdown in program history.
HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year starter and two-time all-conference selection for Providence High School and coach Randy Long … Finished his prep career with 236 tackles (115 solo), 31 tackles for loss and 23 sacks … Recorded 104 tackles (58 solo), including 12 for loss, 11 sacks, two blocked punts, one forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown as a prep senior in leading Providence to a 9-5 record and a spot in the state quarterfinals … Garnered first team all-Southwestern 4A Conference and second team all-Mecklenburg County laurels, while also being named Providence’s defensive player of the year and most valuable defensive lineman … As a junior, recorded 90 tackles (38 solo), including 15 for loss, 10 sacks, three blocked punts, two interceptions, one safety, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery … Named a first team all-Southwestern 4A Conference selection.
PERSONAL: The son of Irina and Nick Kurti was born on July 7, 1989 … Has an older sister, Bojana, and an older brother, Dustin … Enrolled in pre-major studies at UNCP.
