Dedrick has shown marked improvements during his first three seasons, and is at the point where he will be challenging for the starting assignment at Anchor...provides Tech with excellent one-two punch at the noseguard spot...vocal leader on the defensive front line...an athletic player who has good work habits...a physical and intense player...slowed during '09 Spring drills with a hamstring pull, but showed he had increased his speed before the injury...working to improve his lateral quickness...made the move a year ago from defensive end to noseguard...has a high motor and a great love for the game...two years experience on the field...going through an important summer for his development...comes into the 2009 campaign with 48 total tackles and 4.5 tackles-for-loss.

At TECH - (In 2008): Quietly went about his work in the defensive line, playing in all 12 games, all of them in a backup role...finished with 33 total tackles, including six solo stops...had 2.5 tackles-for-loss for 15 yards, and credited with 2.0 quarterback sacks...forced a fumble and broke up one pass...made career-high seven tackles against Jacksonville State and also broke up a Gamecock pass attempt...busy night against UT Martin with three tackles, one tackle-for-loss, one quarterback sack and caused a fumble...had five stops at Austin Peay and four against Eastern Illinois...averaged four tackles per game over the final six contests.

(In 2007): Dedrick saw action in 10 of Tech's 11 games as a redshirt freshman, finishing with 15 total tackles...also notched two tackles-for-loss for three yards and broke up a pass...best game was at Auburn when he made four tackles including one in the backfield...had three tackles against both Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky.

(In 2006): In his first season on the roster, Dedrick was a redshirt to give him an additional year to develop skills.

HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterman for coach Wayne Coffee at Valdosta High School...lined up as both tight end and defensive end...helped his team to the region championship as a sophomore and second place in the state playoffs...finished his stellar senior season with 95 total tackles, including a team-best 38 solo stops...registered 8.5 quarterback sacks...also intercepted one pass which he returned for a touchdown.

PERSONAL: The son of Samuel and Karen Thomas...born August 6, 1988 in Valdosta, Ga....full name is Dedrick Curtis Miley...enrolled in general curriculum.