Kyler Elsworth Class: Junior Hometown: Goodrich, Mich. High School: Goodrich Height / Weight: 6-1 / 215 Position: LB Experience: 2L

Career Stats | Game-by-Game Statistics: 2010 | 2011

Enters spring practice listed as the back-up Sam linebacker, behind Denicos Allen.

2011 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Earned his second letter after appearing in all 14 games, primarily on special teams . . . former walk-on was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2011 season . . . collected 37 tackles, including 2.5 for losses (11 yards) . . . led team with 15 tackles on special teams . . . . . . recorded a 3-yard tackle for loss and had two stops overall against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game . . . had two tackles and two quarterback hurries vs. Indiana . . . compiled seven stops against Minnesota, including a half tackle for loss (3 yards) . . . produced a career-high 10 tackles and forced a fumble at No. 13 Nebraska; saw extended playing time against the Cornhuskers due to injury to starter Chris Norman . . . named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt in the second quarter against Wisconsin that resulted in a touchdown; had three tackles in the win over the Badgers, including a key third-down stop against James White on third-and-2, which led to a blocked field goal by the Spartans on the next play . . . compiled five tackles against Central Michigan . . . had three stops against Florida Atlantic . . . presented the Jim Adams Award (unsung hero) in 2010 after being selected the Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year.

2010 SEASON (RED-SHIRT FRESHMAN): Presented the Jim Adams Award (unsung hero) after being selected Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year . . . saw action in all 13 games in 2010, primarily on special teams . . . totaled 12 tackles (7 solos, 5 assists) . . . recorded a season-best three tackles - all solos - at Penn State . . . made stops each vs. Northern Colorado and Wisconsin . . . selected Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week vs. Northern Colorado.

2009 SEASON: Redshirted . . . named Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Illinois.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Earned special mention all-state (Division 3-4) recognition as an all-purpose player in 2008 . . . named to The Flint Journal's All-Area Team and The (Lapeer) County Press Dream Team (Division 1-4) as a senior . . . first-team all-conference selection in 2008 . . . two-way starter (wide receiver and outside linebacker) for Coach Tom Alward at Goodrich (Mich.) High School . . . led the Martians in receptions as a senior, with 40 for 559 yards (14.0 avg.) and five touchdowns . . . recorded 121 tackles, including three sacks, and an interception in 2008 . . . rushed 40 times for 222 yards (5.6 avg.) and nine TDs as a junior . . . produced 153 tackles in 2007 . . . earned All-America honors as a wrestler, compiling a 165-31 career record . . . rated among the nation's best at 189 pounds in the final rankings for 2008-09: No. 7 by Wrestling USA Magazine and No. 14 by ConnectWrestling.com . . . won back-to-back Division 3 state titles at 189 pounds (2008-09) . . . pinned Dundee's Justin Heiseman at the 4:38 mark in the 2009 championship bout . . . named to The Flint Journal's All-Area Wrestling Team . . . selected Co-Wrestler of the Year (upper-weight class) by The County Press . . . went 134-1 over his final two seasons, including 67-1 in 2008 and a perfect 67-0 in 2009 . . . his 67 victories represent the school's single-season record . . . four-sport athlete also lettered in baseball and track . . . son of Richard and Rebecca Elsworth . . . born Aug. 28, 1991 . . . participated in the July 2010 Heroes for Kids golf outing, benefiting Saginaw (Mich.) youth recreation programs . . . majoring in zoology.