William Middleton Class: Junior Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. High School: Marist Height / Weight: 5-11 / 190 Position: CB Experience: 2L

Furman: Superb athlete who returns for his second season of starting duty at right cornerback...may also again figure into Furman's plans as a kickoff return specialist...combines with All-Southern Conference cornerback Austin Holmes and strong safety Andrew Thacker in helping form a contingent of three returning starters in the secondary...part of a Paladin defensive unit that returns eight regulars...clocked a team best 4.28 40-yard dash on the track in spring testing. 2006 -- Took over the starting job at right cornerback and helped Furman to an 8-4 campaign that included a third straight playoff appearance and No. 12 national ranking in The Sports Network's final poll...compiled 38 tackles, including four for-loss, four pass breakups, and a pair of fumble recoveries...notched a season high seven tackles, including one for-loss, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery against The Citadel (23-17 win)...was Furman's primary kickoff return specialist, averaging 23.1 yards on 25 returns, good for fourth in the SoCon...tied a Furman record held by four others with a 100-yard return versus Wofford (35-21 win). 2005 -- Registered playing time as both a backup cornerback and kickoff return specialist...averaged 22.0 yards on 32 returns...had a season high four tackles in a 48-31 win over Gardner-Webb...forced fumble came against Elon (45-6 win)...had a season best 67-yard kickoff return versus Chattanooga (56-35 win)...ranked fourth in the SoCon in kickoff return average. 2004 -- Member of scout team...awarded redshirt and extra year of eligibility.

High School: 2004 graduate of Marist (4A) High School...football coach was Alan Chadwick...saw action as a cornerback, wide receiver, and return specialist...totaled 148 tackles, 10 interceptions, six pass deflections, two kickoff returns for touchdowns, and two blocked punts during his prep career...also recorded a school record 103-yard interception return and averaged 27.0 yards on 21 kickoff returns...earned first team all-county and all-region honors in 2003 after helping his squad to a 14-1 record and state championship with 21-6 triumph over Statesboro in title contest...two-time Marist Defensive Player-of-the-Year selection...stole second and third base and then scored the go-ahead run on a bunt in 5-3 state title game victory in 2003.

Personal: Full name is William Albert Middleton...son of Karen and Albert Middleton...born July 28, 1986, in New York, New York...has three siblings: Kellie, Dana, and Wyatt...father played basketball at Gannon University and sister Kellie played softball at Notre Dame...bother Wyatt plays football at Navy...biology major.