West Virginia University Athletics

Returning starter at middle linebacker who will be a leader on defense ... shows a great understanding of the overall scheme ... can also help as an edge rusher on third down ... did not participate in spring drills after off-season shoulder surgery ... ranked 33rd nationally in total tackles (10.7 per game) ... second on the team with 139 tackles, five sacks, 13 TFL last year ... 11 tackles in the Wisconsin game ... recovered an East Carolina fumble and nabbed an interception with a TFL and two pass breakups against the Pirates ... 6-yard sack and recovered a Cincinnati fumble on the goal line, along with 15 tackles vs. the Bearcats ... nine tackles in the Maryland game ... nine tackles at Miami and tipped a Hurricane pass that was intercepted by Leandre Washington ... team-best 12 tackles against Rutgers, with a sack ... led team with 14 tackles in Virginia Tech victory ... 10 tackles in UCF win ... nine tackles and a sack in the win at Boston College ... 14 tackles with a 12-yard sack and two near-interceptions in the Pitt win ... 11 tackles in the win at Syracuse ... team-best 15 tackles in the Temple victory with a sack and two TFL ... four stops in the Gator Bowl ... Defensive Champion: Virginia Tech, Pitt ... coaches gave him the Ideal Mountaineer Man award ... recorded 63 tackles in 2002 playing behind Ben Collins at MLB ... seven tackles at Wisconsin ... seven tackles in the win at Cincinnati ... five tackles against East Carolina ... recovered a Maryland fumble and had six tackles vs. the Terps ... two of his four tackles in win at Rutgers were for losses ... three assists vs. Syracuse ... seven tackles against Miami ... suffered a left knee bruise in the Temple game ... recorded five tackles in the win over Boston College ... eight tackles in victory at Virginia Tech ... four tackles at Pitt ... played behind Angel Estrada at the rover spot during 2001 ... eight tackles and a TFL against Boston College ... suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb in the Boston College game ... did not play against Ohio ... pair of special teams tackles against Virginia Tech ... seven tackles at Notre Dame ... four special teams tackles at Miami ... five tackles in Rutgers win ... two special teams tackles at Syracuse ... Special Teams Award: Syracuse ... did not see varsity action in 2000 ... one of the best outside linebackers in the Pennsylvania prep ranks ... also played tight end at Oil City ... unanimous all-Northwest Conference selection at both positions ... 87 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks, while catching 20 passes for 372 yards as a senior ... selected for Big 33 all-star game ... named to the all-state Supreme Team at OLB ... selected second team all-state at tight end ... high school teammate Ben Lynch is also at West Virginia ... lettered in basketball and baseball ... born October 27, 1981 ... son of Laura and the late Larry Lehnortt ... one of three children ... a double major in marketing and management ... named first team academic all-district by CoSIDA and was on the Academic All-America ballot ... BIG EAST academic all-star team (2002-03) ... Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll