Starting center on the offensive line … missed the entire spring after having shoulder surgery in February … will be back to full strength when preseason practice begins … awarded the Coaches’ Contribution Award by the coaching staff … has 13 starts in his career … Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll … previous bowl trips: 2005 Gator, 2006 Sugar, 2007 Gator, 2008 Fiesta.
2008 Preseason Honors: Named to the Rimington Trophy Award ‘Watch List” signifying the best center in college football … Lindy’s Football Magazine: second-team all-BIG EAST … named offensive line No. 4 nationally … Athlon Sports: second-team All-BIG EAST … named offensive line No. 1 nationally … Phil Steele’s Football Magazine: second-team All-BIG EAST.
2007 (r-Jr.): Earned second-team all-BIG EAST honors … saw action in more than 850 plays, including 70 or more plays in seven games … used in a season-high 88 plays at USF … finished with 35 knockdowns, including four against East Carolina, Louisville and Connecticut … helped pave the way for the offense to produce two 1,000-yard rushers … offense averaged 6.2 yards a carry, 297.2 yards a game rushing and 456.2 in total offense … Mountaineers ranked No. 3 nationally in rushing offense, tied for No. 5 for fewest sacks allowed (13), No. 9 in scoring offense and No. 15 in total offense.
2006 (r-So.): Saw action in 12 games … primary backup behind consensus All-American Dan Mozes … helped the offense average 38.8 points per game and 461.4 yards per contest … WVU ranked No. 4 nationally in rushing, averaging 272.4 yards per game.
2005 (r-Fr.): Saw limited action, making five appearances … converted to the center position after playing defensive end.
2004 (Fr.): Redshirted … did not see varsity action … scout team champion: East Carolina.
Prep: Two-sport standout at Jeannette High ... led Coach Bob Murphy’s Jayhawks to their third straight conference title and the WPIAL finals with a 12-1 record ... first team all-state from AP and Pennsylvania Football News ... recorded 120 tackles, 19 sacks, 15 TFL and five fumble recoveries as a senior ... 28 catches for 503 yards and eight scores ... three-year all-Interstate conference ... Old Spice Red Zone player of the year ... set the Jeannette High career basketball scoring record with more than 1,600 points ... honor roll student.
Personal: Birthday is Nov. 17 ... son of Bob and Joyce Dent ... one of three children … majoring in communications.
