Mike McKibben - #53 - LB - Kent State - Profile

PRO: "Mike took the opportunity to become a starter and performed well," Michaels said. "He's a good tackler and quick learner. He got better as the season progressed, particularly on his pass defense." ...began training camp as the fifth string right linebacker and wound up starting the last 10 games of the season at that position ...he and Woody Bennett were the only rookie free agents on the Jets' opening day roster ...was the club's special teams leader through the first six games (including the previous three contests in a row) before his first start vs. Vikings on Monday night TV...got the chance to play when Mark Merrill was waived ...even though he played just 12 minutes at RLB in the previous six weeks, he came through with 13 tackles vs. Minnesota ...led the team vs. Oakland with 22 tackles (11 solo), the second best single-game effort of the year for the Jets finished tied for fifth on the club with 108 tackles (46 unassisted) retu rned interception five yards at Miami ...cited in the The Sporting News as the best free agent in the AFC East...played in all 16 games ... was one of three rookie defensive starters on right side (RDE Marty Lyons and RCB Johnny Lynn).

COLLEGE: Selected first team All-Mid American Conference as a senior and second team as a junior ...also chosen academic All-MAC in 1975 and 1978...four-year starter ...injured knee vs. Colorado in 1977 and played in only two games was granted NCAA hardship and allowed to play an extra season was captain both as a junior and senior ...led team in tackles as a soph had seven OB sacks and three fumble recoveries as a senior was 1978 recipient of Don McCafferty Memorial Scholarship Award for his achievements as a scholar-athlete ...was a teammate of Jets' defensive tackle Abdul Salaam (then Larry Faulk) in 1974 and 1975.

PERSONAL: Married last June ...wife Randi ...has degree in accounting ...worked as accountant for Alexander Grant Co. in Cleveland during offseason ...all-state in football and baseball at Lewis County High in his hometown of Weston, W. Va.... selected state's top defensive lineman as asenior ...also competed in track and basketball ...birthplace: Mt. Carmel, III.