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 during senior year.
Personal: Born Dec. 14, 1992 ... 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.
