#48 Curtis Gatewood Season 2006-07

SINGLE-GAME HIGHS
SOLO TACKLES: 6, vs. Tennessee State, 9/30/2006
TOTAL TACKLES: 9, vs. Tennessee State, 9/30/2006
SACKS: 1.5, vs. Tennessee State, 9/30/2006

2006
Became one of Commodores[apos] top performers in first full year at defensive end… Co-recipient of team[apos]s postseason Most Valuable Defensive Lineman Award with DT Theo Horrocks… Started every game at DE… Topped all Commodores with seven quarterback sacks, ranking eighth in the Southeastern Conference in the statistical category… Only one former Commodore, Jovan Haye in 2003, has more sacks in the last decade… Ranked among team leaders with 36 solo tackles (T-4th), 49 total tackles (T-5th), eight quarterback sacks (2nd), three fumble recoveries (T-1st) and three forced fumbles (2nd)… Named team[apos]s Defensive Player of the Week after nine-tackle performance in win over Tennessee State… Also contributed 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry in TSU win… Also named Defensive Player of the Week after Tennessee performance that included a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery… Posted a sack, forced fumble and interception against South Carolina… Also shared Defensive Player of the Week honors with linebacker Jonathan Goff following effort to Florida.

2005
Became a key defensive line contributor after moving from linebacker during preseason camp… Ended season with 17 solo tackles, 22 total tackles, pair of quarterback hurries and 2.5 tackles for loss… Produced four tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, in win at Arkansas, then added a tackle for loss and quarterback hurry in victory over Ole Miss… Closed the season with four tackles at Florida, and a pair of stops against Kentucky and Tennessee.

2004
Played in all 11 games as reserve outside linebacker and special teams contributor… Credited with nine tackles on the season… Contributed pair of tackles against Ole Miss and LSU… Special Teams Co-Player of the Week after Mississippi State performance.

2003
Redshirted… Named scout team Defensive Player of the Week on three occasions.

High School
Starter at weakside linebacker as senior… Named 5A First Team All-Region… Credited with 45 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries as senior.. Named team[apos]s Defensive MVP… Caught nine passes for 146 yards and a TD as tight end… Also was a two-way starter as sophomore… Sat out junior season to concentrate on basketball, playing key role in Spartans[apos] 2002 state crown… In title game, beat Marshall County led by another Commodore football recruit, Stephon Johnson… In first year in track and field as junior, posted personal bests of 22.7 (200 meters), 6[apos]4′ (high jump) and 22[apos]4′ (long jump).

Academics
Gatewood is undecided on a major.

Personal
James Curtis Gatewood… Son of Beverly Burnette and James Gatewood… Board member of the Youth United Way Leadership Program in Memphis… Involved in NAACP, Pan African Studies Group and community FCA chapter… Prep basketball teammate of Tennessee sophomore Dane Bradshaw… First Commodore recruit from Memphis since CB Rushen Jones signed in 1997.