Jasper Brinkley life and biography

Jasper Brinkley is a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.

GAMES/STARTS (regular season, playoffs) 2009 (16/4, 2/0). Total- 16/4, 2/0.

• Stepped in to start at MLB as a rookie in final 4 regular season games of 2009 for injured E.J. Henderson. Saw extensive playing time in both of the Vikings playoff games.
• Played with his twin brother, Casper, at South Carolina.

OFF THE FIELD
Majored in African-American studies at South Carolina…Played with twin brother, Casper, at USC…Casper signed as a rookie free agent in 2007 with Carolina Panthers and spent 13 weeks in 2008 on Panthers practice squad…Teammates with Sidney Rice at South Carolina...Enjoys working on cars and fishing in his free time...Has participated in a football camp in his hometown and worked with Relay For Life and Habitat For Humanity...Aspires to career in high school coaching when his playing days are over.

PRO
Took over as starter at MLB after E.J. Henderson was injured for the final 4 games of the regular season and saw significiant playing time in both playoff games...Part of a talented Vikings 2009 rookie class that saw all 5 members start a game during the season...Acquired after trade up with Washington to move from #158 to #150 to make the selection…The only LB drafted by the Vikings in 2009 and 1 of 3 defensive players selected…One of 4 SEC players drafted by the Vikings, joining collegiate rivals Percy Harvin (Florida), Asher Allen (Georgia) and Jamarca Sanford (Mississippi)…Part of 7 South Carolina Gamecocks drafted in 2009, the most players by any SEC squad…Was the 2nd USC player drafted by the Vikings in the past 3 drafts, joining WR Sidney Rice in 2007.

2009
Started final 4 games of regular season and saw action in both playoff games...Played in all 16 games, a regular on special teams in the opening 12 games of the season...Had back-to-back 10-tackle games at Carolina (12/20) and at Chicago (12/28) in prime-time games...Started 1st career game vs. Cincinnati (12/13)...Saw action in 1st career playoff game vs. Dallas (1/17/10) in the NFC Divisional Round game, helping limit the high-powered Cowboys offense to 3 points in the game, a Vikings record for fewest points allowed in a playoff game...Playen in first NFC Championship game at New Orleans (1/24/10), holding the NFL’s #1 ranked offense to 257 total yards in the game...Notched 12 tackles on special teams with a season-best 3 vs. Baltimore (10/18).

COLLEGE
Started all 30 games he played at South Carolina…Earned 2nd-Team All-SEC honors as a senior when he ranked 3rd on team in tackles…Wrapped up college career with 11 tackles against Iowa in Outback Bowl…Entered 2007 highly touted as a preseason All-SEC choice and on the watch list for several national awards…Played in only 4 games in 2007 before suffering knee injury that ended season…Made immediate impact for the Gamecock defense in 2006 in his 1st season on campus after transferring from Georgia Military College…Spent 2004 and 2005 at Georgia Military College…Was honored as the team MVP in both seasons.

Earned All-State honors at Thomson High in Thomson, GA…Standout basketball and baseball player.

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