16 games/9 starts
Joined Vikings CB Cedrc Griffin (2006, 2nd round) as the 2nd CB selected on the 1st day of the draft in consecutive seasons...Carved out a role on special teams where he had a pair of blocked kicks and kickoff return experience as a collegian.
• Tied with RB Adrian Peterson for the lead among 2007 Vikings rookies with 9 starts. • Started 4 of the final 6 games of 2007 in place of Antoine Winfield at LCB.• Joined by Brian Robison as the only 2007 Vikings rookies to play in all 16 games. • Started @ Green Bay (11/11) in place of Antoine Winfield and notched a season-high 8 tackles. • Started 1st career game @ Detroit (9/16) when team opened in nickel package. • Played in nickel-back role in 2007 season opener vs. Atlanta (9/9), his 1st career game. • Slated to step into nickel-back role for the Vikings in 2007 as a rookie.
Key part of the Fresno football turnaround in recent years and helped the Bulldogs to 3 straight bowl games in his opening 3 seasons...Fresno played in 2003 Silicon Valley Bowl against UCLA, 2004 MPC Computers Bowl againts Virginia and 2005 AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Tulsa...Played in 51 career games and started 32 during his career...Started 29 straight games at a point in his career...Named 2nd-Team All-Western Athletic Conference as a junior when he started a career-high 13 games.
2006 Started 9 games as a senior and led Fresno with 7 passes defensed...Had best performance of the season in his final collegiate game in the finale against San Jose State with 8 tackles, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss...Ended season ranked 5th on the team with a careerhigh 55 tackles.
2005 Named 2nd-Team All-WAC and started all 13 games...Concluded 8-5 season in Liberty Bowl against Tulsa...Had career-high 10 tackles in 50-42 shootout loss to defending national champions USC in the LA Coliseum...Broke up 7 passes and forced a pair of fumbles...Intercepted pass against Boise State in 27-7 win.
2004 Stepped in as a sophomore to a full-time starters’ role, opening 10 of the 12 games...Team hit its stride at midseason after a 3-3 start to go 9-3 and win thrilling MPC Computers Bowl over Virginia 37-34 in OT...Snared career-best 3 INTs, returning a pick against Portland State 15 yards for a TD...Rambled 63 yards with an interception against Rice, taking the ball back to the 1-yard line...Led team with 8 passes defensed.
2003 Played in all 14 games and made his 1st career start against Nevada...Standout on special teams blocked a pair of kicks on the season, an extra point against Oklahoma and a 40-yard FG against San Jose State...Bulldogs ended season 9-5 and topped UCLA in the Silicon Valley Football Classic IV 17-9.
2002 Redshirted as a freshman.
Became the 1st member of his family to earn a college degree when he completed his bachelor’s in sociology in fall 2006...Went through graduation ceremonies...Will be across the field twice in 2008 from one of his favorite athletes growing up, Packers CB Charles Woodson...Owes his success to the lessons his father, Marcus Sr., taught him growing up...Is the eldest of 5 step brothers and sisters.