University of Miami Athletics
61

Tony Tella

position

Offensive Line

Height

6-4

Weight

308 lbs.

Class

Senior

Hometown

Houston, Texas

High School

Madison HS

CAREER: Only returning offensive lineman who started every game last season…New starter who took over at left guard in 2004 and manned the positionall season…Will compete with Tyler McMeans and Derrick Morse for the twostarting guard spots this year…Talented senior was a reserve lineman from2002-03…Has a quiet disposition but is mean in the trenches…Has the frameto develop into an imposing force on the line…Has impressive agility, quicknessand strength…Graduated in May 2005 with a degree in sociology and ispursuing a second major in sports administration.

 

2004 (JUNIOR): Started all 12 games at left guard…Allowed only two full andone shared sack all season…Opened the season making his first start as aHurricane against Florida State and had three pancake blocks…Had an outstandinggame against Wake Forest, with season-high four pancakes and fourmetrorails.

2003 (SOPHOMORE): Saw action in six games as a reserve tackle…was named an offensive MVP by the Miami coaching staff after helping the Hurricanes to 601 total yards and five rushing touchdowns against Temple…finished the regular season with three metrorails and three pancakes.

2002 (FRESHMAN): Played in six games (Florida A&M, Boston College, Connecticut, Rutgers, Tennessee and Syracuse).

2001 (REDSHIRT): Sat out the 2001 season with a redshirt and played on the Hurricanes’ scout team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Madison…rated the No. 91 overall prospect in Texas, regardless of position, by SuperPrep…rated as the No. 98 offensive lineman in the nation by Rivals.com…an All-District selection during his senior season…timed at 5.0 in the 40…a rare four-year starter at Houston’s Madison High who spent most of his career playing tackle…named Madison’s Most Valuable Lineman in 2000 for a 10-2 playoff team…first-team All-District in 2000…first-team Academic All-Houston Independent School District in 2000…had 15 “pancake” blocks in 2000…as a junior in 1999, had 12 “pancake” blocks and earned second-team All-District honors…helped Madison tie for the District title…finished second in District in the discus and third in the shot put in 2000…as a sophomore in 1998, helped Madison to a District title playing both guard and tackle and had six “pancake” blocks…recorded 10 “pancake” blocks as a freshman in 1997 on a 9-1 District title team at Madison…coached by Ray Seals.