55  Eric Niederberger Class: Sophomore Hometown: Nevada City, Calif. High School: Nevada Union Height / Weight: 6-1 / 220 Position: LB Experience: RS

2011 (Freshman): A reserve linebacker, played in 11 games, primarily on special teams...Totaled three tackles (two solo)...Played in his first collegiate contest in home-opening win vs. Northern Colorado (Sept. 10), on the kickoff-coverage units; also saw fourth-quarter action at linebacker.

2010: Redshirted as a true freshman in his first season of college eligibility.

High School: One of the top defensive players in Northern California, helped Nevada Union to a combined 20-3 record over his junior and senior seasons...A team captain during each of those seasons, his only years on the varsity, totaled 180 tackles and 16 sacks in helping the Miners to consecutive conference titles...Started as a defensive end as a junior, playing exclusively on defense in 2008, then served as a linebacker, running back and kick returner during his senior campaign...The Delta Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, led Nevada Union to a 20-2 victory in the Sac-Joaquin Section championship before the CIF Bowl Committee denied the 13-1 program another postseason game (California is too large to have a true state champion)...A first-team all-NorCal (Rivals.com), all-metro, all-section and all-league linebacker in 2009, had 107 tackles, nine sacks, one INT returned for a touchdown, two passes broken up and two forced fumbles...In the Miners' wing-T offense, averaged 11.0 yards on 50 carries (550 yards), with eight TD, and caught 10 passes for 155 yards and two more scores...Also returned nine punts for 160 yards and a TD...In a 31-28 semifinal win over Pleasant Grove, vaulted NU to the section title by scoring on runs of 41 and 62 yards, making nine tackles and forcing a late fumble...As a junior, garnered first-team all-league honors at defensive end, leading NU to a 10-2 record, a conference title and the second round of the section playoffs...In 2008, picked up 73 tackles, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown, earning Hitter of the Year recognition from his teammates...Head football coach was Dave Humphers...Owned 4.54 speed in the 40-yard dash...School also produced NFL player Spencer Havner, who played for CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr at UCLA...Also recruited by Washington State, Wyoming, Nevada, Hawaii, San Diego and Utah State.

Personal: Given name Eric Gatlin Niederberger...Last name is pronounced NEED-er-BER-ger...Nicknamed Nasty, and ESPN...Born Jan. 26, 1992, in Grass Valley, Calif. ...Parents are Bruce and Lisa...Has an older sister and older brother...In the summer of 2011, devoted a day to meeting and playing with kids at the Boys and Girls Club in Wellington, Colo. ...Majoring in business at Colorado State...Hometown: Nevada City, Calif.