He accepted a football scholarship from Syracuse University.[1] As a redshirt freshman in 1993, he was named the started at inside linebacker and led the team in total tackles with 81, while also tallying 2 tackles for loss, 2 passes defensed and one blocked kick.[2]
In1994, he was lost for the season with a knee injury he suffered in the season opener against the University of Oklahoma, where he had 10 tackles and one fumble recovery.[3] As a junior, he started 11 games at outside linebacker, making 119 tackles (second on the team), 3.5 sacks.
As a senior, in 1996, he posted 106 tackles (led the team), 6 tackles for loss (third on the team), 3 sacks, 4 quarterback pressures, 3 passes defensed,[2] while being named First-team All-Big East.[4]
On September 3, 1997, he was signed to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. On December 10, he was promoted to the active roster for the last 2 games to play on special teams. On August 31, 1998, he was re-signed by the Cowboys. After appearing in three games playing on the short-yardage defense and on special teams, he was injured while covering a punt and was placed on the injured reserve list with a dislocated right ankle and a broken leg on October 5.[7] He was cut by the Cowboys on October 27, 1999.
Over a year later, on November 14, 2000, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins to their practice squad.[8] On February 19, 2001, he was re-signed to a two-year contract. He was then cut on August 28.[9]
