TULANE: A returning squad member... heads into fall camp as the starting Strongside linebacker.

2006: Played in three games before suffering a season-ending injury at No. 10 LSU; received a medical red-shirt... prior to the injury, he registered five tackles, including an assisted tackle for lost yardage.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned all-state, all-region III, all-KOGT Defensive MVP, all-Orange Leader Defensive MVP, all-Orange County Defensive MVP, Port Arthur News Super Team and all-district honors as a senior after posting 88 tackles, including 44 solo stops, and three interceptions... a two-time Orange County Athlete of the Year with all-district and all-county honors in four sports for four years... claimed all-district Newcomer of the Year honors as a sophomore... a two-way standout as a weak-side defensive end and split end where he helped the team advance to the District 24-3A, Region III finals in 2005... helped his team register a 9-2 record during his senior season... also lettered four years in baseball, and three times in basketball and track and field... off the field, was a member of the Academic All-State Team, president of the National Honor Society, and was a Rotary International Leadership Conference Counselor and Scholarship recipient.

PERSONAL: Undecided on a major... born October 7, 1987, in Beaumont, Texas... one of four children of David and Nell Sparks... named to the 2007 C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and to Tulane's 3.0 Club.