Countdown to Kickoff - 89 days

To get ready for the 2011 football season, BlueRaiderZone is doing an in-depth look at Middle Tennessee's roster. One player per day, we're counting down the days until kickoff. Today's featured player is freshman r-So. DE Dearco Nolan.

Dearco Nolan

Class: r-So.
Position: DE
Height: 6-2
Weight: 248 pounds
Previous School: Westlake
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

2010: Played in 11 games and was in on 129 plays ... Earned four winning grades from the coaches ... For the year, registered six tackles, two TFLs, a sack, and a hurry ... Had one stop against APSU and WKU ... Registered a hurry in 20 snaps against ULM ... Tallied two tackles in win at FIU ... Turned in two TFLs and a sack in the bowl game against Miami.

2009: Took a redshirt year.

High School: Ranked as one of the top five defensive ends in the state his senior year at Westlake ... Rated one of the top ten fastest defensive ends in the nation and the fastest in the state ... A five-time defensive player of the week winner ... An all-Region 4-AAAAA selection at Westlake after making 11 sacks and forcing six fumbles in 2008 to go along with 50 total tackles ... For his career, he registered 183 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and 23 quarterback hurries ... Played for Coach Greg Minnis ... Runs a 4.48 40.

Full Name: Dearco La'mark Nolan ... Parent: Teresa Allen ... Born: 2/7/90 ... Major: Undecided.