Miami Redhawks

SCOUTING REPORT: The two-time RedHawk co-captain is rebounding from off-season surgery ... coach call him 'a coach on the field' ... when he got hurt in game eight against Northern Illinois, Miami[apos]s defense was considerably weakened ... represented Miami along with Zac Dysert at the 2010 MAC Kickoff in Detroit. 2009: Served as co-captain of the `09 RedHawks ... he was the team[apos]s starting strong safety the first eight games of the season, then sat out the last four contests due to an injury ... recorded 64 tackles, fourth-best for Miami ... had three TFLs for minus 18 yards, including one quarterback sack for minus 14 yards ... broke up five opponent passes and caused two fumbles ... accumulated a season- and career-best 13 tackles vs. both Kentucky and Western Michigan. 2008: Suffered a season-ending injury in game two at Michigan ... he hopes to gain an extra season in 2010. ... had a good effort in the season opener vs. Vanderbilt, collecting five tackles and forcing a fumble. 2007: Miami[apos]s top tackler among non-linebackers, finishing fourth in stops behind Clayton Mullins, Caleb Bostic and Joey Hudson ... his 89 stops included 54 solo tackles ... also recorded an interception and two tackles for loss ... a key component to a Miami defense that paced MAC teams in virtually every category ... a starter in all 13 games, his top effort came at Minnesota when he led all RedHawks with 13 tackles. 2006: Played in 10 games, recording a total of nine tackles ... season statistics also included a tackle for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt. HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain as a quarterback, defensive back and kicker at Worthington Kilbourne ... twice earned first-team all-state honors ... coached by his dad, Jeff Gafford. PERSONAL: Born September 17, 1987 ... son of Jeff and Susie Gafford ... majoring in sociology, he has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0+.