Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2011 (SENIOR): Started all 11 games at middle linebacker... finished season with 79 tackles (43 solo)... tied for team lead in tackles for loss with 7.5... had 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries... season high 15 tackles against Tennessee State... added 11 tackles at Northwestern... had two quarterback hurries and a pass break-up at Austin Peay... finished career with 224 tackles (110 solo) and 22.5 tackles for loss... team captain for 2011 season... 2010 (JUNIOR): Appeared in 10 games missing the Central Arkansas contest... started nine games at middle linebacker... ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 72 (31 solo)... was third on the team in tackles for loss with 7.5... had three games with double figure tackles - 12 at UT Martin, 11 at Tennessee Tech and 10 vs. Austin Peay... lone interception of the season was returned for 65 yards in season finale against Illinois State... credited with a sack in overtime win at Tennessee State... ranked 10th in the OVC in tackles at 7.2 per game... 2009 (SOPHOMORE): Played and started in 11 games missing Jacksonville State game due to injury… finished season with 62 tackles to rank third on the team… made 30 solo tackles… season high eight tackles in three different games including back-to-back weekends against Tennessee State and in the FCS playoff game against Southern Illinois... had two pass break-ups versus Austin Peay… recorded one sack against Eastern Kentucky... 2008 (FRESHMAN): Played in 11 games primarily on special teams and as a reserve linebacker... made 11 tackles (6 solo) with three tackles for loss... best effort was a three tackle game against Indiana State. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated No. 79 linebacker by Scout.com playing for coach Eric Michaelsen at Lemont HS… had 136 tackles as a senior with 92 solo, 8 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.… honorable mention All-State… two forced fumbles returning one for a touchdown… as a junior registered 148 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and intercepted a pass … as a sophomore made 128 total tackles… three time first team All-Suburban Conference… three time first team All-Area… team posted an 11-3 record losing in IHSA Class 6A championship game… also an All-State wrestler. 

PERSONAL: Majoring in industrial technology... son of Mike and Louise Kickels.