EricSMALL
player biographies
CAREER NOTES: Hard-nosed defensive tackle who has been a mainstay in the Gophers’ defensive line rotation since arriving at Minnesota • has seen action in 25 games with 19 starts • has collected 43 tackles, seven for losses, including 3.5 sacks.
2008 • JUNIOR SEASON: Started 12 games and saw extensive action in all 13 • ranked third among defensive linemen with 25 total tackles, including a pair of sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss • recorded one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one pass breakup • also appeared as a blocking fullback on offense in goal-line situations • scholar-athlete award winner • Academic All-Big Ten selection • earned second letter. Game-by-Game: recorded a solo tackle in the season opener against Northern Illinois (8/30) • also had a pass breakup vs. the Huskies • in the Gophers’ starting lineup at Bowling Green (9/6), vs. Montana State (9/13) and Florida Atlantic (9/20) but did not register any statistics • turned in a big game at Ohio State (9/27), totaling four tackles (three unassisted) and his first sack of the season • also ripped the ball from Buckeye running back Beanie Wells for his first career forced fumble and fumble recovery • had two solo tackles and made his first appearance as a member of the Gophers offense vs. Indiana (10/4), leading the way for Shady Salamon’s 1-yard touchdown plunge • recorded four total tackles and recovered a fumble that led to a touchdown at Illinois (10/11) • started but did not record any statistics at Purdue (10/25) • collected three total tackles, with a 10-yard sack, against Northwestern (11/1) • had for total tackles, including a TFL, against Michigan (11/8) • equaled a career high with a season-best five total tackles at Wisconsin (11/15) • started vs. Iowa (11/22) but did not record any statistics • tallied two stops, including one tackle for loss vs. Kansas (12/31). 2007 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Appeared in all 12 games with six starts • Made 18 tackles on the season (11 solo) • also had 2.5 tackles for losses, including a sack, and a pass break-up • earned first letter • scholar-athlete award winner • Game-by-Game: made his first career start in the season opener vs. Bowling Green (9/1) and finished with three tackles • collected a season-high five stops at Florida Atlantic (9/15) • had two tackles vs. both Purdue (9/22) and Ohio State (9/29) • recorded two solo stops vs. both North Dakota State
(10/20) and Illinois (11/3) • had one assisted tackle at Michigan (10/27) and Iowa (11/10). 2005-06: Spent one season at Joliet Junior College after transfering from Missouri State • head coach was Tom Minnick • received honorable-mention recognition on the 2006 National Junior College Athletic Association All-America Team as a defensive lineman • also named a first-team NJCAA All-Region IV selection and was a first-team All-Midwest Football Conference performer • was the runner-up for the Midwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2006 • finished the 2006 season ranked fourth on the team in total tackles with 35, including 27 solo stops and six quarterback sacks.
132 * Minnesota Football
98 defensive tackle senior (RS) 6.2 | 295 Naperville, Ill. Joliet Junior College Naperville Central High School
DT
98
ericSMALL’S CAREER STATISTICS Year 2007 2008 Totals
G/GS Solo Asst Total TFL INT PBU 12/6 11 7 18 2.5-14 0 1 13/12 14 11 25 4.5-21 0 1 25/18 25 18 43 7.0-35 0 2
FR 0 2 2
ericSMALL’S GAME DEFENSIVE BESTS Tackles Sacks
5 1
FF Sacks 0 1.0-12 1 2-16 1 3.5-28
Two times; last: at Wisconsin 11-15-2008 Three times; last vs. Northwestern 11-1-2008
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2005 graduate of Naperville Central High School • high school coach was John Gutrich • earned all-state honors as a senior • three-time all conference and all-area selection • was also a two-year letterwinner in basketball. PERSONAL: Son of Ken and Sally Small • born November 19, 1986 • business marketing education major.