T.J. is coming off an impressive first year in the Jackrabbit program and will be in the hunt for a starting spot at linebacker ... honored as Scout Defense Player of the Week prior to matchup with Northern Iowa and shared Scout Offense Player of the Week honors leading up to game versus North Dakota State ... member of Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll for academics

BEFORE SDSU
Developed into one of the top all-around players in the Chicagoland area, earning first-team all-state honors from the Chicago Tribune, as well as player of the year honors from the Aurora Beacon and Kane County Chronicle ... defensively, he recorded 152 tackles in 2010 for Marmion Academy, including 16 tackles for loss and six sacks, along with four forced fumbles and an interception ... was named to the Illinois Coaches Association All-State Team two times ... coached by Dan Thorpe, he  also averaged 9.4 yards per carry en route to 1,389 yards and 17 touchdowns out of the backfield ... added to his all-around athletic accomplishments by competing in track and field, where he clocked a time of 11 seconds in the 100-meter dash and threw the shot put 52 feet ... honor roll student