A two-year starter — in the 4-3 scheme in 2009 and in the 3-4 in 2010… has gone from a reserve linebacker as a true freshman in 2008 to a nine-game starter as a sophomore in 2009 to a 13-game starter as a junior… could emerged as one of the top outside linebackers in the ACC… has natural tools of a linebacker but also the skills to play running back… a strong tackler who consistently knocks ball carriers backwards.

2010 (Junior):
Started all 13 games… recorded 60 tackles (29 solo tackles)… led the team in tackles for loss (10.5)… had 3.0 sacks… ranked among the ACC leaders in fumbles caused (3)… also recovered a fumble and broke up one pass… registered nine tackles, a career-high 2.0 sacks and forced a fumble at Kansas (Sept. 11)… had career highs for tackles with 10 (seven solo tackles) and tackles for loss in the win at Wake Forest (Oct. 2)… recorded four tackles and a sack in the win over Virginia (Oct. 9)… registered six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble vs. Middle Tennessee State (Oct. 23)… had seven tackles (five solo tackles) and forced a fumble vs. Miami (Nov. 13).

2009 (Sophomore)
Started eight times and played in all 14 games at outside linebacker… recorded 40 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and one fumble recovery… recorded four tackles including a career high 1.5 sacks against Iowa in the FedEx Orange Bowl… recorded four tackles, a half-tackle for loss and a fumble recovery vs. Georgia (Nov. 28)… produced four tackles and a sack of Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner (Nov. 7)… recorded six tackles, including five solo tackles, at Virginia (Oct. 24)… had seven tackles, 1.0 sacks and 0.5 tackles for loss vs. Virginia Tech (Oct. 17)… produced five tackles, including four solo tackles, at Florida State (Oct. 10).

2008 (Freshman)
Scrapped the redshirt in the second game and was a solid back-up at outside linebacker… saw action in every game (12 games) after taking off the redshirt… had 11 tackles, including eight solo tackles… recorded four tackles, including three solo tackles, vs. Gardner-Webb (Oct. 11)… recorded three tackles, including two solo tackles, vs. Mississippi State (Sept. 20)… saw significant action against Boston College (Sept. 6) and made one solo tackle.
High School
Has natural tools of a linebacker but also the skills to play running back… has good size… a strong tackler who consistently knocks ball carriers backwards… named first team all-region as a senior and second team as a sophomore and junior… selected to play in the Georgia North-South All-Star Game… scored four touchdowns in his final high school game… earned four varsity letters in football under coaches Bill Hobbs and Mike McDonald… also earned three letters in basketball as a power forward… former teammate of Georgia Tech redshirt freshman linebacker Kyle Jackson… was vice-president of the student body… homecoming king as a senior… received the Coca-Cola Award for outstanding athletic and academic achievement… chose Georgia Tech over Georgia and Alabama, among others… Sylvester said: [quote]I like Coach Johnson. He[apos]s a no-nonsense type guy and knows what he wants. He was really successful at Navy and I[apos]m happy to be able to play for him.[quote]…

No. 21 overall prospect in Georgia (SuperPrep) No. 26 overallprospect in Georgia (Rivals.com) No. 23 weakside linebacker in thenation (Scout.com)

No. 26 inside linebacker in the nation (Rivals.com)

Personal
Born October 18, 1989 in Enterprise, Ala… once lived in Seattle… given name is Steven Joseph Sylvester… one of the team comedians who can do imitations of almost anyone… majoring in sociology.

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CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 10 at Wake Forest, Oct. 2, 2010
TFL: 3.0 at Wake Forest, Oct. 2, 2010
Sacks: 2.0 at Kansas, Sept. 11, 2010
FC: 1, three times
FR: 1 vs. Georgia, Nov. 28, 2009; 1 vs. Middle Tennessee State, Oct. 16, 2010
PB: 1 at Kansas, Sept. 11, 2010

An Interview With Steven Sylvester