Michael Boley

Boley's 2007 Stats from NFL.com

TRANSACTIONS

Selected as the first of two fifth round (160th pick overall) draft choices by Atlanta in 2005.

CAREER

Has become a continual playmaker in his first two NFL seasons, playing in 32 games with 25 starts.

Voted to the All-Rookie team by Pro Football Weekly and the Professional Football Writers of America as a special-teamer.

2006 (FALCONS)

Saw action in 16 games with 14 starts and ranked third on the team with 90 tackles in addition to posting three sacks, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, one forced fumble and seven passes defensed, while adding three tackles on special teams.

Collared five tackles and one pass defensed vs. Tampa Bay (9/17) as part of a defensive unit that allowed 40 rushing yards.

Led the team with a season-high 13 tackles at New Orleans (9/25) in addition to recording one pass defensed.

Posted seven tackles, one sack, one interception, two passes defensed and a forced fumble vs. Arizona (10/1). The sack and interception marked the first of his career and helped the defense hold their opponent without a touchdown for the third time in four games.

Recorded five tackles, one pass defensed and his first-career fumble recovery vs. Pittsburgh (10/22) for a defense that allowed 55 rushing yards.

Sealed the Falcons victory with his second fumble recovery of his career on the final play at Cincinnati (10/29) in addition to three tackles and one tackle on special teams.

Collared four tackles and one sack vs. Cleveland (11/12) for a defense that allowed a season-low nine first downs.

Registered five tackles and one fumble recovery at Baltimore (11/19).

Tallied eight tackles, one interception (40 yards) and one pass defensed vs. Dallas (12/16).

Finished with six tackles and one sack (eight yards) vs. Carolina (12/24).

2005 (FALCONS)

Played in all 16 games with 11 starts, taking over at the starting linebacker position in Week 6 after a season-ending injury to LB Edgerton Hartwell (Achilles). Recorded 60 tackles, five passes defensed and one forced fumble on the season in addition to posting nine tackles and one blocked field goal on special teams.

Tallied seven special teams tackles in his first five games in a backup linebacker role.

Made first career start at outside linebacker in place of an injured Hartwell, accounting for five tackles and a forced fumble, which was recovered by CB DeAngelo Hall and returned 66 yards for the Falcons first touchdown of the game, at New Orleans (10/16). On the Saints next possession, Boley blocked a 39-yard field goal attempt by K John Carney with four seconds left in the first half, which was then recovered by LB Demorrio Williams and returned 59 yards for a touchdown as time expired.

Accounted for six tackles at Miami (11/6) in a defensive effort that held the Dolphins without a third down conversion (0 of 9).

Established a career-high 14 tackles at Tampa Bay (12/24) in addition to one pass defensed and one special teams tackle.

COLLEGE

Recorded 423 tackles, 28.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles, starting 38 of 47 contests for the Golden Eagles. His 423 career tackles rank sixth in school history, while his nine forced fumbles rank first and 28.5 sacks rank second.

Became the first three-time All Conference USA first-team selection.

Conference USA's Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Lott, Butkus and Bednarik awards after totaling 125 tackles, nine sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions as a senior. Also presented with the Conerly Trophy, presented annually to the best college football player in Mississippi.

Ranked 13th in the nation with a career-high 151 tackles as a junior, which also ranked fifth all-time in school history. Also registered career-highs with 11 sacks and three fumble recoveries as he was selected to the Conference USA first-team for the second straight season.

Earned the first of three first-team All-Conference selections in 2002, finishing second on the team with 142 tackles, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception.

Played in nine games at linebacker as a redshirt freshman and was a key contributor on special teams, posting five tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery on the season.

PERSONAL

Competed at free safety, wide receiver and running back at Elkmont (AL) High School. Rushed for 1,015 yards as a senior on 126 carries and posted another 746 yards receiving.

Graduated in May, 2005 from Southern Miss with a degree in coaching and sports administration.

Heavily involved in the Atlanta community as a mentor to young children.

Born Michael Jerome Boley on August 24, 1982 in Gadsen, Alabama.

He is married (Chantelle), has two children (Michael Jr. and McKale).