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SCOUT'S TAKE

Skinny: Fitzgerald is the complete package. He is fast, strong, instinctive and has great hands. He sat out the entire 2008 season because of his transfer from Virginia. In 2007, he started all 13 games as a sophomore totaling 73 tackles, 11.5 for loss, seven sacks, two pass breakups, and two interceptions. One of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown. In 2006 he started all 12 games as a red-shirt freshman. He accumulated 64 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, two interceptions, six sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. He led the nation among freshmen with 5.3 tackles per game. After sitting out all of 2008, Fitzgerald should be primed to end his college career with a bang.

2009: An honorable mention All-Big 12 selection this season, Fitzgerald collected 40 total tackles from his defensive end position, 10.0 of which went for losses. The Richmond, Va., native also led the team in sacks with 7.0, forced three fumbles while recovering two and also returned one interception for a touchdown.

VITALS

Medical Examiner: Missed most of his high school senior season due to a knee injury.

Honor Roll: In 2006, Fitzgerald was a unanimous freshman All-American at Virginia and was also named to the ACC All-Freshman team by The Sporting News. He received the Bill Dudley Award as Virginia’s Most Outstanding first-year player.

High School: Fitzgerald attended Mermitage High School in Virginia where he earned accolades at both defensive end and tight end. He was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, but was unable to participate due to injury. In his junior season he was named second team All-State, first team All-Region, and first team All-District at defensive end.

Personal: Jeffrey’s older brother, Justin, was a four-year letter-winner at wide receiver for Ohio University.

Bio

Photo Credit: Kansas State Athletics