blacksaint

NAME: DeMario Pressley (DT)
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 301

Overview
Pressley hoped the 2007 season would be a banner final campaign, but it turned into a weekly visit to the team's training room. Ever since dislocating his left wrist late in the 2006 season, Pressley has been a regular under the doctor's care, as he suffered a left big toe fracture in spring camp and had a gruesome left elbow injury that resulted in three ligament tears in August camp.

He played with his elbow heavily taped in the 2007 season opener, but then tore cartilage in his knee in an early September non-contact drill, undergoing arthroscopic surgery that sidelined him for several games. Upon his return, he ending up twisting his ankle in the Louisville clash, as his litany of injuries was uncommon for a player that was never hurt throughout his entire football career until his recent misfortunes.

Pressley was a Parade All-American and first-team All-USA selection by USA Today at Dudley High School. He was a two-time All-State choice and named the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003. He was also a two-time All-Conference and All-Area pick, adding 2003 Conference Player of the Year honors, as he was also chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

He was listed as the best player in North Carolina, the nation's seventh overall player and the premier defensive lineman in the country by Super Prep. He was also selected the nation's top-ranked defensive tackle and 11th overall player by Rivals.com. He added 2003 EA Sports High School All-American, Fox Sports Net's first-team All-South Team and Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team honors as that service's top-rated defensive lineman.

As a senior, Pressley notched 90 tackles and 14 sacks. He collected 97 tackles and 14 sacks as a junior. He also played center for school's basketball team and earned two letters in track-and-field, competing in the shot put.

Pressley was the only true freshman on the North Carolina State 2004 squad to start any games, as he appeared in 12 contests, earning that starting assignment in the Maryland clash as a left defensive end. He came up with 15 tackles (9 solos) with a stop for a 5-yard loss that year.

Named the team's Most Improved Defensive Lineman, he was also an Academic All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2005, going on to start all 12 games at right defensive tackle. He collected 43 tackles (27 solos) with a sack, six stops for losses and four quarterback pressures. He also caused and recovered a fumble while starring as the defensive unit's youngest starter.

A toe injury limited Pressley's playing time during spring drills, but he went on to start the team's first 11 games, lining up at right defensive tackle in 10 of those contests and at left defensive end vs. Virginia, but suffered a left wrist dislocation vs. North Carolina. He underwent surgery, missing the team's season finale, finishing with 46 tackles (30 solos), two sacks and seven stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Throughout his rash of injuries in 2007, Pressley started seven of the 10 games he appeared in at left defensive tackle. He was in on 41 tackles (28 solos) with 1.5 sacks, seven stops for losses and eight pressures. He broke up one pass and intercepted two others.

Career Notes
In 42 games at North Carolina State, Pressley started 31 contests -- 21 at right tackle, seven at left tackle and three at left end...Recorded 145 tackles (94 solos) with 4.5 sacks for minus-24 yards, 21 stops for losses of 56 yards and 14 quarterback pressures...Caused a pair of fumbles and recovered another...Deflected three passes and gained three yards on two interception returns.

High School
Attended Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.) High School, playing football for head coach Victor Floyd...Parade All-American and first-team All-USA selection by USA Today...Two-time All-State choice and named the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003...Also a two-time All-Conference and All-Area pick, adding 2003 Conference Player of the Year honors, as he was also chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl...Listed as the best player in North Carolina, the nation's seventh overall player and the premier defensive lineman in the country by Super Prep...Selected the nation's top-ranked defensive tackle and 11th overall player by Rivals.com...Added 2003 EA Sports High School All-American, Fox Sports Net's first-team All-South Team and Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team honors as that service's top-rated defensive lineman...As a senior, Pressley notched 90 tackles and 14 sacks...Collected 97 tackles and 14 sacks as a junior...Also played center for school's basketball team and earned two letters in track-and-field, competing in the shot put.

NFL Events: Draft Player Profiles - DeMario Pressley

saint4life
(504)