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Updated: January 28, 2015

2014-15: Played in all 13 games, making five starts … Logged 469 plays, 318 on defense and 151 on special teams … Made the first start of his career and led the team with five tackles and three hurries, while also recovering a fumble and returning it 45 yards against William & Mary … Made three tackles, including two sacks, in the win at Ohio State … Broke up a pass while contributing at linebacker and on special teams against East Carolina … Saw action at linebacker and on special teams against Georgia Tech … Made two tackles against Western Michigan … Had three tackles, including a sack for a 5-yard loss, at North Carolina … Recovered a fumble and made two tackles at Pitt … Made six tackles against Miami … Recorded a 30-yard rush on a fake punt and added four tackles on defense against Boston College … Had a 51-yard interception return and added three QB hurries at Duke … Had three tackles while in at linebacker and on special teams at Wake Forest … Made two tackles and added a hurry in the win against Virginia … Saw limited action on defense in Tech’s Military Bowl win over Cincinnati.

2012-13: Played in all 13 games, appearing for 74 plays on special teams … Had one tackle … Saw action on special teams in the opener against Georgia Tech, as well as against Austin Peay and at Pittsburgh … Was in on six special teams plays against Cincinnati … Contributed on special teams at North Carolina … Saw action on special teams at Miami and against Florida State … Contributed on six special teams plays at Boston College, adding three more against Virginia … Saw time on special teams against Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl … Moved from backer to whip linebacker for spring practice … Was in on three tackles during the second spring scrimmage.

2011-12: Played in all 14 games, mostly on special teams … Played three snaps on defense and 77 on special teams for a total of 80 … Had an assisted tackle and his first collegiate interception in the win over Appalachian State … Saw action for three special teams plays in the wins against ECU, Arkansas State, and Marshall … Worked five snaps on special teams against Clemson and six more in the win over Miami … Played 11 snaps on special teams at Wake Forest … Picked up a tackle on coverage against BC … Worked three special teams plays at Duke and 12 more at Georgia Tech … Saw action for seven snaps on coverage against UNC and another at Virginia … Tallied three plays on coverage in the ACC Championship Game against Clemson.

2010-11: Initially listed as a tight end … Was moved to whip linebacker after four practices … Redshirted while working on the scout team … Bench pressed 330 pounds during off-season testing … Moved to rover briefly after the first five practices in the spring … Ended up at free safety for the last eight practices … Had four tackles during the final spring scrimmage … Intercepted a pass and added three tackles in the Maroon-White game.

High School: Was a quarterback and safety for Coach Bill Stachelski at Cox High … Named second-team all-state as a senior and was named Beach District Offensive Player of the Year … Rushed for over 900 yards and 17 touchdowns and added 366 yards passing … Posted 36 tackles, three sacks and a pair of interceptions … Picked off a school-record eight passes as a sophomore.

Personal: Derek James Di Nardo … Born 4/1/92 in Virginia Beach, VA … Son of Jimmy and Kathy Di Nardo … Father played football at William & Mary … Has two sisters and a brothers ... Sister, Casey, plays field hockey at North Carolina … Majoring in apparel, housing and resources management with a concentration in housing.