WE TRAIN HERE: A current look at some of D1's athletes

Below is a look at some of D1's standout athletes from the various facilities and a quick run down on how they are currently doing:

Chattanooga

Tony Brown
Defensive tackle Tony Brown will likely line up alongside Haynesworth for another strong year. Brown had 52 tackles and four sacks in 2007,

“I think this is going to be his breakout year,” Vanden Bosch said. “Me, Albert and Jevon, I think will get a lot of attention from offenses scheme-wise, blocking-wise. Tony has really worked on improving his game to being a playmaker, and I think he’s going to be one to surprise a lot of people this year.”

Greenville

Brian Bratton
Brian Bratton, wide receiver for CFL team Montreal Alouettes, has contributed greatly to his team’s three game winning streak. In game five of the season against the BC Lions, Bratton scored a 75-yard touchdown from quarterback Anthony Calvillo. During their game against the Toronto Argonauts the duo has connected successfully for the fourth time this season to put the Als in the lead. Bratton’s touchdown catch versus the Winnipeg (Blue Bombers) put the Als ahead 26-4 right before the half. This gave the team a well-earned cushion for the competition they would have to face during the second half of the game against the Blue Bombers.

Bratton’s next game will be on Friday August 29, 2008 against the BC Lions at Montreal.

Huntsville

Jason Bosley
Senior Jason Bosley will be starting this year as center for the Auburn Tigers. Jason started all 13 games in 2007 and has led the line during the transition to the spread offense.

Reshard Langford
Reshard Langford emerges this season as one of the top players for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Langford is considered one of the most respected safeties in the SEC, and was recently elected as one of three captains for the Commodores. He has not left the lineup since beginning as a redshirt freshman in 2005, and has started in 35 consecutive games. With eight career interceptions, Langford was named to the coaches’ preseason All-SEC team this summer.

Amobi Okoye
The talented defensive tackle already has a spotlight on his back for his second season with the Texans. Okoye began turning heads during his rookie season by racking up an impressive 32 tackles and 5 sacks. He is being compared to NFL great Warren Sapp for his ability to collapse the pocket and stuff the run.

Philip Rivers
With a current preseason record of 2-1, Chargers QB Philip Rivers looks to have a promising season ahead of him. Coming back from a recent knee surgery, Rivers played for three quarters in the Chargers’ third preseason game and led San Diego to ten points, completing 11 of 21 passes for 143 yards.

Knoxville

Chase Headley
Despite a disappointing run by the Padres, left fielder, Chase Headley has established himself as a solid player for the team. Headley’s multiple RBI’s and formidable hits have kept the team going in several close games that resulted in narrow losses.

Scott Stallings
Scott tied for third at the rain-shortened ComSouth Classic in Hawkinsville, Ga., for the biggest payday of his career. He earned $9,479 for his two-day total of 134, three shots off the lead.

Monica Abbott
During the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Monica Abbott wowed softball fans by pitching a perfect game to help the U.S. softball team to an 8-0 victory over the Netherlands at Fengtai Softball Field. The US Softball team brought home the silver medal after a close game against Japan which ended 3-2.

Jerome Felton

Jerome Felton, fullback for the Detroit Lions, is projected to have a great impact on the team this season. Felton made an impression on the Lions’ coaches early in the scouting process and has continued to impress them. He is a dynamic player who has the ability to carry the ball as a tailback as well as take on the traditional role of a fullback

“Jerome is a guy that had 63 touchdowns in college, so he knows how to run the ball,” said running backs coach Sam Gash. “We can possibly find short-yardage situations for him, but he’s coming in here as a fullback. Being a fullback you have to almost accept your role and know that you’re a complimentary player.”

Felton finds himself at an advantage since he ran a zone scheme in college.

Jerod Mayo
Jerod Mayo was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round (10th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=audionewsdetail&pid=33198&pcid=0

Nashville

David Thornton
A minor ankle injury has Thornton sitting out on the Titans' preseason game against Green Bay. But nonetheless, the star linebacker is looking forward to the upcoming season with the Titans. Thornton had an impressive showing in 2007, leading the Titans in tackles with 140 tackles and a career high, 2 interceptions.

Darcy Hordichuk
Former Nashville Predators forward, Darcy Hordichuk, signed with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1^st of 2008. Known for being an extremely physical player and accomplished figher, Hordichuck’s arrival is eagerly awaited by accomplished Canuck’s goalie and former teammate Roberto Luongo.

Vincent Fuller
Vincent Fuller recently discussed his role as nickel back for the Titans saying, “I relish that role because it’s a role that this defense puts a lot of responsibility on and because it helps me to contribute to the team. I think I did a suitable job last year, and in playing it again this year I’ve gotten more comfortable and tried to improve on things to help me play better this upcoming season.”

Fuller finished the year with 35 tackles last season and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. Head Coach Jeff Fisher told reporters early in training camp that another player would have to play extremely well to overtake Fuller at the nickel back spot this campaign