Chris Rocco

Class:
Senior
Position:
DB
Height:
5-10
Weight:
200
Prev School:
Liberty Christian Academy
Hometown:
Forest, Va.

An Inside Look from the Coaching Staff: The quarterback in the Flames' defensive backfield … a solid football player … student of the game … great range … very physical and all-conference performer … the voice of the defense and tremendous leader.
2008 (Jr.): Named to the Big South Presidential Honor Roll … started all 12 games … nearly tripled his career tackle total coming into the year, as he recorded 22 tackles during his first two seasons at Liberty … ranked second on the team and 10th overall in the Big South in total tackles (78) … tied for the Big South lead in fumble recoveries, which ranks fourth best in single-season program history (3) … tied for seventh in the Big South in passes defended (7) … ranked second in the Big South in tackles per game by a defensive back (6.5) … finished seven out of 12 games with seven or more stops, including the last four of the year … finished the year tied for the team lead in pass breakups … helped Liberty seal up its second Big South title with a career-best 11 tackles against Gardner-Webb … also added two fumble recoveries against the Bulldogs, tying for the fourth highest single game total in program history … five tackles, including four solo, against Glenville State … seven tackles against No. 23 Youngstown State, including four assisted tackles, helping the Flames to a 31-28 road victory over the ranked opponent … seven tackles in a Big South win over Coastal Carolina, including five solo stops … 10 tackles against Lafayette, including six solo stops … three assisted stops, an interception and two pass breakups in Liberty's 42-0 shutout victory over Charleston Southern … 10 stops against Presbyterian, including a season-high seven solo tackles … eight tackles against both VMI and Elon, evenly splitting them between solo (4) and assisted (4) tackles … helped the Flames rank No. 13 in scoring defense (18.67 point per game), posting two shutouts and holding three opponents without a touchdown.
2007 (So.): Named to the Big South Presidential Honor Roll … stepped onto the playing field for all but one game … did not see action against VMI … ranked No. 15 on the squad with 22 tackles … finished the year with an even 11 solo stops and 11 assisted tackles, both marking new career highs … added an assisted tackle for a loss of two yards … solo stop against Tusculum … two assisted tackles against Shippensburg … two solo stops in a double overtime game at William & Mary … finished with a season-best six tackles against Elon, recording three solo stops, three assisted tackles and a shared tackled for a loss of two yards … three solo tackles at Toledo … four stops against Presbyterian, two solo and two assisted … also was the Flames holder on field goal attempts.
2006 (Fr.): Member of the Big South Presidential Honor Roll … saw playing time in all 11 games … started against Savannah State, Gardner-Webb and No. 22 Coastal Carolina … finished the year with six tackles … four solo and two assisted stops … had an assisted tackle for a loss (two yards) against Savannah State, while adding three solo stops to finish the road contest with a season-best four tackles … also contributed an interception (three-yard return) and a pass break-up against Savannah State, earning him Big South Freshman of the Week honors … added a solo tackle at Wake Forest and an assisted stop against Coastal Carolina.
Prep: Graduated from Liberty Christian Academy … four-year starter, posting a 37-2-1 career record … played both quarterback and defensive back in high school … finished his career with 5,496 yards passing and 58 touchdowns … four-time all-conference honoree … two-time all-area and all-state selection … led Liberty Christian Academy to two state championships (2004 and 2005) … nominated for the Wendy's High School Heisman as a senior after leading LCA to its second-straight state title and passing for 1,427 yards and 22 touchdowns … valedictorian.
Personal: Son of Frank, Jr. and Leslie Rocco … father was a former assistant football coach at Liberty (2000-03 – Wide Receivers/Offensive Coordinator) … nephew of Flames' head football coach Danny Rocco ... birthday is Dec. 25 … majoring in kinesiology.