Overview
OverviewOne of the elite pass thieves in college football, Demps' 17 interceptions were the most among active players in the NCAA in 2007 and rank second in Conference USA and school history. He is one of only seven players in college history to gain more than 400 yards (404) in returns on interceptions in a career, setting the league all-time record (331 yards in Conference USA competition).
The free safety has been a huge problem for not only opposing offensive coordinators, but also opposing special team coaches. In addition to his 17 interceptions, he ranks second in school annals with 24 pass deflections. He also ranks eighth in UTEP history with an average of 22.1 yards per kickoff return. Finding the end zone has become a fact of life for Demps, who scored on interceptions, kickoffs and fumble recoveries during his time with the Miners.At Roosevelt High School, Demps was a unanimous All-District 26-5A, All-Greater San Antonio and honorable mention All-State honoree as a senior. He split time at defensive back, wide receiver and punter that year, recording 65 tackles and five interceptions (two for touchdowns). He also picked up 10 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 40.5 yards on punts. During his last two seasons, he helped Roosevelt High School to a 16-6 record, including a district title in 2001.
Demps added second-team All-District accolades as a junior. He recorded 23 tackles and had two interceptions that campaign, competing as a defensive back and wide receiver. He also lettered at cornerback as a sophomore. He was a two-year letter-winner in track, where he was a regional qualifier in the 100 as a junior and a member of the 1,600 relay that advanced to State.Demps red-shirted at Texas-El Paso in 2003. He earned Freshman All-American honors and was chosen the Western Athletic Conference's co-Freshman of the Year in 2004. He started 10 of 11 games at free safety, sitting out vs. San Jose State with a hamstring pull. He posted 58 tackles (42 solos), caused two fumbles, recovered one for a score and broke up four passes. He also blocked a kick and had one touchdown on a pair of interception returns.
As a sophomore, Demps started all 12 games at free safety, finishing fourth on the squad with 78 tackles (47 solos) in the Miners' first season in Conference USA. He picked off three passes, deflected six others and averaged 16.5 yards on four kickoff returns. He also recovered two fumbles.In 2006, Demps was named to the All-Conference USA first-team. He led the league and tied for fifth nationally with seven interceptions and broke up five other throws. He ranked third on the team with 67 tackles (31 solos), caused two fumbles and averaged 23.9 yards on nine kickoff returns, including one for a score.
As a senior, Demps split time between free safety and right cornerback. The team captain was a first-team All-Conference USA defensive pick, adding second-team honors on special teams. His 220 yards gained on five interception returns set school and league single-season records, ranking second in the nation. He totaled 72 tackles (55 solos) with nine pass break-ups and recovered two fumbles. He ranked 15th in the nation and led the conference with a 13.3-yard average on 15 punt returns. He also averaged 22.4 yards on 22 kickoff returns and blocked one kick.Demps appeared in 47 games at Texas-El Paso, starting 40 contests at free safety and six at right cornerback. He recorded 275 tackles (175 solos) with 5.5 stops for losses of 15 yards and two quarterback pressures. He caused four fumbles and recovered five others, returning two for a total of 57 yards, including a 51-yard score. He blocked two kicks and deflected 24 passes.
Demps intercepted 17 passes for 404 yards (23.8 avg) in returns with three touchdowns. He gained 773 yards with a score on 35 kickoff returns (22.1 avg) and 200 yards on 15 punt returns (13.3 avg). On 69 touches, he amassed 1,434 all-purpose yards, an average of 20.78 yards per attempt.Career Notes
His 17 interceptions rank second in school history, topped only by Charlie West (19, 1965-67)...His 15 pass thefts are surpassed only by Louisville's Anthony Floyd (18, 1999-2002) in Conference USA history (UTEP did not join the league until 2005, and Demps had two interceptions in 2004 while the school competed in the Western Athletic Conference)...Holds the school career record with 404 yards gained on interception returns, shattering the previous mark of 256 yards by Richie Wright (1986-88)...He also became only the seventh player in NCAA annals to gain more than 400 interception yards in a career, joining Terrell Buckley of Florida State (501 yards, 1989-91), John Provost of Holy Cross (470, 1972-74), Jamar Fletcher of Wisconsin (459, 1998-2000), Tom Curtis of Michigan (440, 1967-69), Tracy Saul of Texas Tech (425, 1989-92) and Lynn Chandnois of Michigan State (410, 1946-49). Tracy Porter of Indiana (413, 2004-07) became the eighth player to join that list...Demps' 331 yards on interception returns (gained 73 in 2004) set the Conference USA all-time record, breaking the previous mark of 254 yards by Leo Barnes of Southern Mississippi (1997-2000)...His 220 yards on interception returns in 2007 set the school and conference season record, topping the old UTEP mark of 183 yards by Ron Bostwick in 1965 and the previous league record of 152 yards by Anthony Floyd of Louisville in 2000...Became the first player in school and Conference USA history to have more than one 100-yard interception return in both a season and career (100-yarder also tied the Miners' and league records for longest return), as he returned pass thefts that distance vs. New Mexico State and Central Florida in 2007...Only Shawn Ferguson of Cincinnati (123 vs. Memphis in 1998) gained more yards on interception returns in a game in Conference USA history...His 24 pass deflections tied Robert Murray (1983-86) for second on the school career record list behind Jahmal Fenner (25, 2001-04).
High SchoolAttended Roosevelt (San Antonio, Texas) High School, playing football for head coach Glen Hill...Unanimous All-District 26-5A, All-Greater San Antonio and honorable mention All-State honoree as a senior...Split time at defensive back, wide receiver and punter that year, recording 65 tackles and five interceptions (two for touchdowns)...Also picked up 10 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 40.5 yards on punts... During his last two seasons, he helped Roosevelt High to a 16-6 record, including a district title in 2001...Added second-team All-District accolades as a junior...Recorded 23 tackles and had two interceptions that campaign, competing as a defensive back and receiver... Also lettered at cornerback as a sophomore...Two-year letter-winner in track, where he was a regional qualifier in the 100 as a junior and a member of the 1,600 relay that advanced to State.
Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.
No comments:
Post a Comment