DT, 6-3, 314

SR-1L

Little Rock, Ark.

(Central HS)

OUTLOOK: His Razorback career has had its share of ups and downs including a switch from defense to offense and back again. He is extremely talented and has shown tremendous potential, but his struggles to demonstrate consistency have limited his time on the field. With starting right tackle Marcus Harrison still rehabilitating from an ACL injury, he is slated to step into the starting role early in the year. UA coaches are hopeful that this is the season that the talented defensive lineman puts it all together. He is listed behind Harrison on the pre-season depth chart, but with the availability of Harrison in question he may very well open the season as the starter at right tackle.

2006: He appeared in only one game in his junior campaign. He logged time at defensive tackle in the Razorbacks’ non-conference win over Louisiana-Monroe. He didn’t earn a tackle against the Warhawks.

2005: He spent time on both the defensive and offensive lines playing in seven games for the Hogs in 2005. He was a reserve defensive tackle in the Razorbacks’ first six games, playing in five contests and recording six tackles. Prior to the Georgia game, he was moved to offensive tackle to shore up the Hogs’ offensive line that had been devastated by injury. After the move, he played in two games (Georgia and Mississippi State) on offense and on special teams. – He opened the season with a season-high five tackles against Missouri State, including two solo stops. He recorded one assisted tackle in the SEC opener against Vanderbilt. He did not record a tackle against USC. Bledsoe did not play against Alabama. He played against Louisiana-Monroe and Auburn but did not make a tackle. He saw a limited number of snaps in the Georgia game as a lineman on special teams. He saw his first action at offensive tackle against Mississippi State with five snaps.

2004: He appeared in all 11 games as a true freshman with most of the time spent as a reserve behind Arrion Dixon at defensive tackle. He was also a blocker on the PAT/field goal unit. He made 10 tackles (three solo, seven assisted) on the season. He earned at least one tackle in six of 11 games. He also garnered one sack (-5) and two tackles for loss (-6). – He made his collegiate debut against New Mexico State. He earned an assisted tackle in the win over the Aggies. He tallied his first collegiate solo tackle against No. 7 Texas. He earned three assisted tackles in the Hogs’ 49-20 win over Louisiana-Monroe. He logged snaps, but failed to make a tackle for the first time on the season in the Razorbacks’ 27-10 win over Alabama. He saw extended action on the defensive front against Florida, but did not earn a tackle. He did not earn a tackle in action against No. 4 Auburn. He played on special teams against No. 6 Georgia. He played as a defensive reserve and on the PAT/field goal unit against South Carolina. He did not make a tackle against the Gamecocks. He tallied his first full career tackle for loss (-1) in the Razorbacks’ 35-3 win over Ole Miss. He tallied two assisted stops in the Razorbacks’ 24-21 win over Mississippi State. He earned two tackles and his first career sack (-5) in the Hogs’ season finale against No. 12 LSU.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER: He racked up 91 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, for Coach Bernie Cox in his senior season. He tallied three sacks and three interceptions as a defensive end. He returned an interception for a touchdown to help lead the Tigers to an undefeated season and the 5A state championship. He earned all-state honors and was named to The Associated Press’ Super Team and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Team. He also lettered twice in basketball and once in track and field during his high school career. The SuperPrep All-America selection ranked as the No. 2 prospect in Arkansas according to the same publication. The Morning News listed him as the No. 1 prospect in the state. He was a high school teammate of fellow Razorback Freddie Fairchild. He ranked as the No. 24 defensive tackle and the No. 58 defensive lineman overall by Insiders.com. Rivals.com rated him as the No. 21 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 10 prospect in Arkansas. He was also recruited by Tennessee and Oklahoma State.

PERSONAL: Born April 7, 1986, he is the son of Fred and Dorothy Bledsoe. He is a cousin of former Razorback tailback Cory Nichols (1995-97). He is enrolled in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and is majoring in sociology. He was named a Hard Working Hog for the 2005-06 academic year.