Freeport High School

1996 Empire Challenge

Houston Texans

Morlon completed his first season with the Houston Texans in 2005 after spending four years with the Miami Dolphins. Morlon started at middle linebacker in all 16 games, registering a career-high and team-leading 144 tackles, a career-best two sacks, five passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. In 2005, Morlon also recorded double-digit tackles in seven games. On November 27 against St. Louis, Morlon had a team-best 16 tackles and recorded his first pair of sacks as a Texan. Morlon has started 68 out of 78 games and has missed just two games over his first five seasons. Morlon was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of the University of Syracuse.

Fowler was acquired by the Buffalo Bills as a free agent on March 21, 2006. Fowler is a four-year NFL veteran who saw action in 11 games, starting nine at center for the Minnesota Vikings in 2005. Melvin, who played guard in college, has 23 starts in 41 games and is expected to compete for the Bills starting center job for the 2006 season. Fowler was selected in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft out the University of Maryland by the Cleveland Browns.

Photo credit: Washington Redskins

Smith joined the Washington Redskins as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2003, seeing action in one game and recording one tackle. Smith began the 2004 season on the Redskins practice squad and was placed on Injured-Reserve with a triceps injury. He was waived by Washington at the end of training camp in 2005. Smith joined the Cleveland Browns as a free agent this past off season.

James Wyche was a standout defensive end for the Orange throughout his four year career. As a senior, Wyche was selected captain by his teammates, starting all 11 games. Wyche led the defensive linemen in tackles and was first on the team in forced fumbles in 2005. He ranks fifth in school history for all-time tackles by a down lineman and sixth for all-time tackles for a loss. Wyche was named Defensive Most Valuable Player in the 2006 East-West Shrine Game. Wyche was selected in the seventh round, 213 overall, by the Jaguars in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Will Poole

1999 Empire Challenge

University of Southern California

Miami Dolphins

In 2005 Poole underwent surgery to repair the medial meniscus and reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. Poole sustained the injury during off season workouts and was then placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, causing him to miss the 2005 season. In his rookie season, Poole competed in 15 games, including one start. Poole saw extensive action in nickel and dime sets, recording 37 tackles, a sack and six passes defended. Poole was part of a unit that finished first in the AFC and second in the NFL in pass defense, giving up an average of only 162 yards per game. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the fourth round, number 102 overall in the 2004 NFL Draft.