2009
Saw action in every game and earned starting assignments at outside linebacker against Rice, Ole Miss and Tennessee… Platooned with senior Brent Trice as starter… Also served as squad[apos]s snapper in punting situations for third consecutive year… Finished year seventh on team in total tackles (44) and eighth in solo tackles (22)… Both tackle represent single-season career bests… Concluded campaign in excellent fashion, matching his career high with eight tackles against both Kentucky and Tennessee… Posted at least two tackles in 11 games… Also added pair of tackles for loss… First career fumble recovery came against Georgia Tech.
2008
Played in all 13 games, and has participated in all 25 games of his Commodore career… Earned 10 starting assignments at strongside linebacker… Also served as team[apos]s primary snapper in punt formations… Concluded season with single-season highs in total tackles (31), unassisted stops (19), and tackles for loss (4)… Closed regular season with five-tackle efforts against Tennessee and Wake Forest… Contributed at least two tackles in seven of last eight games… Ability to long snap and aid in coverage of Commodore punts earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors after Mississippi State and Tennessee outings.
2007
One of three true freshmen to see action, Stokes played every game… Participated at second team outside linebacker… Early in season, earned team[apos]s snapping responsibilities in punt situations, and eventually became primary snapper for all special teams… Ended season with seven total tackles, including five solo stops… Posted three solo tackles in win over Ole Miss… Also had a key tackle in win at South Carolina.
HIGH SCHOOL
Senior captain and defensive MVP for powerful Memphis private school… Helped Owls to three state playoff appearances, and Division II state titles in 2004 and 2005… Named Division II-AAA Mr. Football Lineman of the Year as senior… Also included in ‘Best of the Preps’ by Memphis Commercial Appeal and ‘Tennessee Dream Team’ by Nashville Tennessean… Three-year starter at LB, helping Owls to 27-8 overall record… Played varsity as freshman… In 2006, achieved 85 tackles, five tackles of loss, an interception and one fumble recovery taken for TD… Top rebounder and double digit scorer for MUS varsity basketball team… Cum laude honors student and National Merit Semifinalist, with membership in the National Honor Society and Latin Honor Society… Recipient of Wellford Leadership Award.
PERSONAL
John Whittemore Stokes IV… Son of Jack and Carol Stokes… Born Feb. 1, 1988 in Memphis… Middle of three siblings; sister, Cameron, 21; and brother, Will, 16; Dad works in sales for Morgan Keegan investment firm; mom is a homemaker… Both parents graduated from Vanderbilt… Enjoys playing the guitar… Likes to hunt and fish… Stokes is majoring in Medicine, Health and Society, and has the distinction of having been accepted into Vanderbilt[apos]s postgraduate Medical School as a junior… Two-time All-SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient… Two-Time CoSIDA District IV Academic All-American.