UNCP Athletics

AS A JUNIOR (2008): A second team selection to the ICAA all-NCAA Independents team and a third team selection to the D2Football.com all-NCAA Independents squad … Played in all 10 games for UNCP, with seven starts to his credit … Ranked second (tied) on the team with 34 tackles (17 solo), including 8-1/2 tackles for loss (-52 yards) … Also turned in 5-1/2 sacks, six quarterback hurries and a pair of forced fumbles … Registered five or more tackles in four contests … Totaled five assisted tackles, including one on a sack, in UNCP’s season opener at Brevard … Turned in a season-best seven tackles, including a season-high five solo tackles and 2-1/2 tackles for loss (2 sacks) in the home win over Jacksonville … Amassed six tackles at Webber International, including a 13-yard sack in the first quarter … Turned in a pair of quarterback hurries against Davidson, as well as one apiece against Jacksonville, Lane, Webber International and North Greenville.

BEFORE UNCP: A two-year starter (2006-07) at Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit, Miss. … Tallied 20 tackles for loss (nine sacks), 20 quarterback hurries and five forced fumbles en route to garnering all-state laurels as a sophomore for the Bears.

HIGH SCHOOL: An all-state and all-region defensive lineman at Belton-Honea Path High School for coach Wayne Green … Registered a team-best 30 quarterback hurries, as well as 20 tackles for loss (11 sacks) in leading the Bears to a 15-0 record, their third-straight region title and the South Carolina AAA state championship as a prep senior … Earned all-state and all-region laurels, as well as most valuable defensive lineman honors, at conclusion of final campaign.

PERSONAL: The son of Daisy and Joe Groves was born on March 27, 1987 … Has two older sisters, Jody and Monica … A recreation management major at UNCP.