#29 Joel Caldwell Season 2008-09
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2009
Caldwell saw the most action as a fifth-year senior since his redshirt freshman campaign… Playing in every game, Caldwell started six consecutive games as strong safety as a replacement for co-captain Ryan Hamilton, who suffered a season-ending pectoral tear at LSU… Ended career with 17 starts in 47 career appearances… Though limited last month of season with shoulder injury, Caldwell finished year as team[apos]s sixth leading tackler with career-high 47 total tackles… Also contributed 25 solo tackles, two defensed passes and a forced fumble… Earned team[apos]s Defensive Player of the Week honors after double-digit tackle total at Army… Also posted double-digit tackles against Ole Miss, and concluded career with seven-tackle effort at Tennessee.
2008
Played in every game, finishing year with 35 career appearances and 11 starts… Played reserve safety role behind free safety Ryan Hamilton… Saw most action of year in opener at Miami (Ohio) and finale at Wake Forest when Hamilton left game due to injury… Finished season with 11 total tackles, including six solo stops… Had four total tackles in win over Miami (Ohio)… Role on coverage units earned coaches[apos] Specialist of the Week honor after effort against Duke.
2007
Served different defensive role as redshirt sophomore… Moved from cornerback to safety, working into a key reserve role behind three-year starter Reshard Langford… Saw action in every game, and contributed to Commodore coverage units on special teams… Concluded year with 14 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, and forced one fumble… Shared team[apos]s Specialist of the Week honors after Tennessee game… Forced fumble came on kickoff coverage in Commodores[apos] win at South Carolina.
2006
Played in every game at cornerback as a redshirt freshman, starting the final 11 games… Played first month of season with a dislocated elbow suffered in preseason practices… First collegiate start came in his home state against Alabama… Concluded the year with 33 solo tackles, 42 total tackles and a pair of defensed passes… In second start, contributed seven solo tackles in narrow loss to Arkansas… Ended season by posting career highs in solo tackles (10) and total tackles (12) at Kentucky, then following up with five-tackle effort against Tennessee.
2005
Redshirted as freshman… Impressed coaches as cornerback in fall practices… Named team[apos]s Defensive Scout of the Week after Tennessee game.
High School
Two-year starter for Alabama powerhouse… Started two years in talented secondary… As senior, netted 62 total tackles, two interceptions and five defensed passes, helping Bucs to 15-0 record and 6A state title… As a junior, contributed 30 tackles and an interception as defensive back… Earn three varsity letters, with squad winning state championship each season… Named honorable mention All-Metro by Birmingham News… Also earned three varsity track letters, helping Hoover to three consecutive indoor state titles.
Personal
Joel Thomas Caldwell… Son of John and Charlene Caldwell… Youngest of four siblings… A brother, Jason, played wide receiver for the Commodores… Caldwell completed his undergraduate degree in Economics from the College of Arts and Science and is planning to attend law school… He is a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient… Dad is salesman for Proctor & Gamble; mom is retired junior high counselor… Served internship with local law firm; worked as carousel operator at nearby Riverchase Galleria.
Hoover Head Coach Rush Propst
‘He is just a great kid who is a pleasure to coach. He was a great player for us. He really came on his senior year and had a great year for us.
‘Joel fits the mold for what teams are looking for in cornerbacks today. He[apos]s a taller guy with good quickness, the kind of guy coaches are looking for in cornerbacks. He also has the size to play safety at the next level.’