Darius Fleming Class: Sophomore Hometown: Chicago, IL High School: St. Rita Height / Weight: 6-1 / 240 Position: Linebacker Birthdate: 07/19/1989

CAREER:Outstanding young player that should challenge the linebacker rotation this fall and could also earn playing time as an edge rusher in passing situations ... during his first year he played in all 13 games and started three contests ... notched 24 tackles, including 2.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry ... has the flexibility to play both outside linebacker and defensive end ... key special teams performer recorded second-most special teams appearances in 2008.

2008 (FRESHMAN): Played in all 13 games for the Irish on defense and special teams and started three games (Washington, Boston College and Hawai'i) ... posted 24 tackles on the season, including 2.5 for a loss ... also had 2.5 sacks on the year and one quarterback hurry ... made his career debut in the season opener against San Diego State and notched his first tackle (solo) against the Aztecs in the victory ... logged valuable minutes on both special teams and defense vs. Michigan and ended the day with four tackles (solo, three assists) against the Wolverines ... continued to see considerable time in the linebacker rotation and on special teams, notching two tackles (both assists) in win vs. Purdue ... saw increased action in the linebacker rotation vs. Stanford and racked up three tackles (two solo, assist) and also recorded his first career sack in the win against the Cardinal ... registered his first career start at linebacker vs. Washington and made two solo tackles on the night ... helped hold the Huskies rushing attack to just 1.1 yards per carry ... started for the second time in his career vs. Boston College and recorded a tackle (solo) ... helped hold the Eagles offense to under 250 yards on the night ... racked up two tackles (solo; assist) vs. Navy in an increased defensive role ... aided the Irish effort allowing the Midshipmen to their lowest rushing total on the season ... tallied two tackles (both assists) vs. Syracuse ... also assisted on a sack and recorded a quarterback hurry against the Orange ... started for the third time in his career in the bowl game against Hawai'i and recorded three solo tackles ... also notched a sack vs. the Warriors ... logged 91:32 of playing time with 198 special teams appearances - second-most on team (Steve Quinn, 239).

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio ... selected to the Scout.com All-America second team ... named to the Detroit Free Press' Best in the Midwest Top 20 team as the 17th-best prospect and second-best linebacker on the list behind teammate Steve Filer ... placed on Chicago Tribune first-team all-state squad ... rated the 34th-best player in the country by Tom Lemming and CSTV ... Scout.com ranked him the 56th-best prospect in the nation ... Scout.com also rated him the second-best strongside linebacker in the country and the second-best player in Illinois ... considered the 89th-best player according to Rivals.com and ranks 94th on the ESPN 150 list ... Rivals.com also rates him as the third-best player in Illinois and eighth-best outside linebacker in the nation ... as a senior, led his high school to the Chicago Prep Bowl city championship ... helped lead the Mustangs to a 6-3 regular-season record as a senior and a trip to the playoffs ... named to Chicago Tribune all-state special mention team following junior season ... recorded 105 tackles including 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a junior ... helped lead St. Rita to the Class 7A state championship in his junior season ... St. Rita's original football stadium was used in the beginning of the movie "Rudy" ... played for coach Todd Kuska ... bowls in his free time and has a high game of 279 ... born July 19, 1989 ... son of Larry Fleming and Leona Nelson ... enrolled in Mendoza College of Business.

Fleming's Career Statistics