Clint Sintim

Sintim has been a model of consistency ever since arriving on campus, going on to start his final 48 contests during a 49-game career. He emerged as a pass rushing force during his last two seasons, ranking second in school history with 27.0 sacks, the 12th-best total on the Atlantic Coast Conference's all-time record list. The strong-side linebacker produced 245 tackles for the Cavaliers. Thirty-nine of those were behind the line of scrimmage, the seventh-highest career total by a Virginia player. Twenty of his career 27.0 sacks were registered since the beginning of the 2007 season. Those 27.0 sacks are the most by any active linebacker in the NCAA ranks at the conclusion of the 2008 campaign. Sintim earned All-American honors from Super Prep as a senior at Garfield High School. He was also named first-team All-State that season, producing 35 tackles and three sacks. He added All-District honors on both offense and defense that season. He also lettered on the school's basketball team. Sintim spent the 2004 season on Virginia's scout team. He had a stellar 2005 spring camp, emerging as the team's starting strong-side outside linebacker. The Freshman All-Atlantic Coast Conference and Freshman All-American choice was the recipient of the Bill Dudley Award, given to the team's most outstanding first-year player. He ranked fifth on the team with 53 tackles (26 solos). He collected three sacks with seven stops for losses, finishing fifth among the league's freshmen with an average of 4.4 tackles per game. Sintim started all 12 games in 2006. He only ranked ninth on the squad with 45 tackles (22 solos), but his 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks, ranked second on the squad in both categories. He walked home with the Cavaliers' Rock Weir Award, given to the team's most improved defensive player. As a junior, Sintim was used more often on the blitz in 2007. All nine of his stops behind the line of scrimmage were sacks, good for losses totaling 48 yards. He added three pressures with a pair of forced fumbles, as he finished third on the team with a career-high 77 tackles (44 solos). The All-American honorable mention and All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team choice ranked second in the league with 11 sacks for minus 86 yards, the fifth-best season total in school history. He also made four pressures in 2008 and finished third on the team with 70 tackles (38 solos), picking up All-State first-team recognition. The finalist for the Dudley Award, given to the top player in the state of Virginia, he was credited with a career-high 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, as he recovered two fumbles, caused another and broke up three passes.

positives

Good height and strong lower- and upper-body build. ... Often plays as the elephant linebacker in the 3-4, where he will likely play in the pros. ... Good straight-line speed and will hustle to get downfield angles. ... Closes on quarterbacks quickly. ... Long arms and strength to secure the tackle. ... Shows versatility as a hand-down pass rusher on third down. ... Gets off the ball, can get under the pads of tackles and rip them aside. ... Generally holds up against OT blocks, and can occasionally shed to make a play. ... Takes on fullback blocks to stand his ground or create a pile.

compares to

NAPOLEAN HARRIS, ex Minnesota -- Sintim is a solid playmaker with good field awareness, but like Harris is a better fit for middle linebacker, as he lacks the loose hips, change of direction agility and second gear to give chase with receivers on the outside. He needs to develop better work habits and is politely called a "gamer" by the coaching staff. He is a good tackler playing downhill, but he needs to work on his hand placement, as blockers have success locking on and controlling him in close quarters. Still, even though some consider him a good fit at strong-side linebacker, he does not have the range or foot speed to chase down ball carriers in long pursuit and his zone coverage skills are a lot to be desired.

negatives

Might be considered an end-linebacker "tweener" by 4-3 teams, but he could fit as a strong-side linebacker if he proves the ability to handle coverage responsibilities. ... Wasn't asked to drop into coverage, and might lack the fluid hips and change-of-direction agility needed to excel in that area. ... Rarely gets into position to block passes in space or at the line. ... Needs to shed tight end blocks on the edge and make more plays.

2006: Slowed by a nagging shoulder problem that required surgery in the 2007 offseason. 2008: Left the Duke game (9/27) in the third quarter after a helmet-to-helmet collision, but returned to the game in the fourth quarter to record his third sack in the contest.

4.75 in the 40-yard dash

1.56 10-yard dash

2.71 20-yard dash

4.40 20-yard shuttle

7.37 three-cone drill

34.5-inch vertical jump

9'11" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times

33-inch arm length

9 7/8-inch hands.

Attended Garfield (Woodbridge, Va.) High School, playing football for head coach Jim Poythress

Earned All-American honors from Super Prep as a senior

Named first-team All-State that season, producing 35 tackles and three sacks

Added All-District honors on both offense and defense that season

Also lettered on the school's basketball team.

Anthropology major

Son of Doris Bismarck, and Clara and Kofi Sintim

Born Clint Kofi Sintim on 2/21/86 in Fairfax County, Virginia

Resides in Woodbridge, Virginia.