About Linkul: Undersized, but explosive athlete along the defensive line ... used as a pass-rush specialist during plebe season ... starts preseason practice as a reserve at the "quick" defensive end position.
2011: Played in eight games as a reserve along the defensive front ... made five tackles ... three of his stops were quarterback sacks ... tied for the team lead in that category ... made collegiate debut in the opener at Northern Illinois ... recorded first tackles of his career, finishing with two primary hits against Tulane ... both tackles were quarterback sacks ... posted one sack for a loss of nine yards at Temple.
High School: Dual-sport standout at St. Louis Priory School ... earned three letters as linebacker and tight end ... captained team as senior ... also earned three letters in track & field ... concentrated on shot put ... two-time all-conference selection ... all-state pick after junior year ... led league with 96 tackles in final season ... racked up 14 tackles for loss ... paced conference with 126 tackles in 2009 ... made 11 stops behind line ... named team's defensive MVP after senior campaign ... earned Priory special teams MVP after sophomore year ... two-time conference champion in shot put ... two-time Catholic school champion ... finished third in state championship as a senior ... fourth-place finisher at state meet as a junior ... personal-best throw of 51' 10.5" ... voted Priory's best athlete as a senior.
Personal: Given name is Colin James Linkul ... parents' names are Larry and Mary Linkul ... family military history dates back to Civil War ... maternal relative, John Daniel Imboden, served as general in 18th Virginia Cavalry Regiment ... fraternal grandfather, Fred Linkul, served in U.S. Navy during World War II ... maternal great uncle, John Imboden, served as lieutenant colonel in U.S. Army during World War II ... maternal great uncle, Thomas Cradick, served in U.S. Army during World War II ... Purple Heart recipient ... major is undeclared.
