Jimmy Laughlin

Bio

A veteran defender for the Golden Eagles who has played in 33 games in three seasons, Jimmy enters his senior year projected to return to his starting spot at rover...a speedy, sure-footed defensive back...had to work all year to play through injuries in 2014, but a mainstay in the defense and a real team leader...plays rover and effective nickel in passing situations...excellent weapon in a blitz...solid tackler...excellent at underneath coverage...one of the most accomplished playmakers...has been on the field since his freshman season...should emerge as one of the team's leaders...a real threat in Tech’s pass defense, and effective at getting to the quarterback...has seen plenty of action in the defensive rotation...continued to show an outstanding work ethic in spring drills.

AT TECH (IN 2014): Jimmy played in 10 games in 2014, including starts in seven, but battled injuries throughout the year...suffered a stinger at Indiana State which nagged him for the remainder of the season...started the first six games, then missed two before returning for one more start...relinquished his starting role to Cory Webber for the final three games, but saw extensive action in a backup role...finished seventh on the team in total tackles with 45 stops, including 26 solo tackles...had 4.0 tackles-for-loss for 22 yards and 2.5 quarterback sacks for 19 yards...forced one fumble and broke up one pass...made career-high 10 tackles in Tech's overtime victory over Murray State...had eight stops against Eastern Illinois...was busy during the Chattanooga game, with three trackles, one QB sack, two tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble.

(In 2013): Played in all 12 games...recorded season-high of six tackles in four different games... notched six tackles and a quarterback sack in the season opener against Cumberland...against Indiana State he recorded six tackles, one tackle-for-loss, two pass break-ups and an interception that he returned for 14 yards...against Murray State, Jimmy finished with six tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss...finished the season 10th on the team in total tackles with 41, second on the team in sacks with four, and second in pass breakups with six.

(IN 2012): Played in all 11 games...came off the bench in the first five games, then saw his first career start against Jacksonville State...started the final six games of the season...had six total tackles in the first four games, then began to show up higher on the tackle charts when he made five stops at Murray State...the following week he was in the starting lineup and had five tackles in games against Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky...posted a career-best six tackles against Tennessee State, then matched that number in games against both UT Martin and Austin Peay...finished with 40 total to rank 10th overall on the team and fifth among all defensive backs...had 16 unassisted tackles in his total...tracked down ball carriers for lost yardage in back-to-back games against JSU and EKU.

IN HIGH SCHOOL: A team captain for coach Buddy Anderson, Jimmy was a three-year starter at Vestavia Hills High School where he was named honorable mention All-Hoover South and earned a spot on the Over-The-Mountain team...led the Rebels with 101 total tackles...also had three interceptions, broke up five passes and forced three fumbles.

PERSONAL: The son of Jim and Karen Laughlin... born September 20, 1993, in Long Island, N.Y.... full name is James Roy Laughlin (Jimmy)... majoring in marketing.