Jovan Haye life and biography

PRO:
Jovan Haye enters 2010 as a key member of the Tennessee defensive tackle rotation. Haye is a versatile defender using his quickness and burst off the ball to create inside pressure on the pocket while utilizing his strength and leverage to hold up against the run. A high-effort defensive lineman and skilled pass rusher, he started 15 games at defensive tackle in his first season with the Titans and posted 55 tackles, a half sack and nine quarterback pressures.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• In 2007 with Tampa Bay, collected a career-best 97 tackles, a career-high six sacks and tied for the NFL lead with four fumble recoveries.

TITANS TIDBITS:
• Haye is a native of Jamaica. He moved to the United States when he was six years old and did not start playing football until his junior year in high school.
• Haye is a huge fan of singer Celin Dion. He got front row tickets for a concert during Super Bowl week in Tampa in 2008.
• Haye suffered from dyslexia when he was younger and fought through the disorder during middle school. He overcame the condition and was on the honor roll four straight years in high school on his way to earning a scholarship to Vanderbilt. He says graduating high school was “his winning moment.”

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native was originally selected by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round (189th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft.
• After appearing in just two games as a rookie, was released by the Panthers in 2006 and signed with the Cleveland Browns.
• Following a short stint on the Browns’ practice squad, was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 25, 2006.
• Signed by the Titans as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 2009.

COLLEGE:

• Entered NFL Draft following junior season. Started 34 of 35 games at Vanderbilt and recorded 149 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and one interception.
• As a junior, started all 11 games at defensive end in 2004 and totaled 48 tackles and one sack. Part of squad that ranked third in the SEC with a plus-four turnover margin.
• Named second-team All-SEC as a sophomore and was elected team defensive captain. Started all 12 games at defensive end and was a conference co-leader with 8.5 sacks, the most by a Vanderbilt player since 1994. Also, tied for seventh in the conference with 12.5 tackles for loss and led the defensive line with 76 tackles, three forced fumbles, 10 quarterback hurries and three passes defensed.
• Recorded two or more sacks in three games in 2003 and amassed three sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception at TCU.
• Started 11 of 12 games at defensive end as a freshman in 2002 and contributed 25 tackles, one sack, three quarterback pressures and one forced fumble. Limited for much of the second half of the season with an injured foot, with the contest at Georgia representing the only missed start of his college career, but he played against the Bulldogs with an injured ankle.
• Redshirted as a true freshman in 2001.
• Majored in human and organizational development at Vanderbilt.

PERSONAL:
• Was a teammate of NFL players Chris Gamble and Stanley McClover at Dillard High School (Sunrise, Fla.).
• Earned first-team All-State honors at offensive guard as a junior and senior at Dillard. Also was a letterwinner in basketball, and threw shot put and discus.
• Graduated from high school with a 4.5 GPA and was a member of National Honor Society.
• Participated in Read Across America Day, where he made students laugh by reading tongue twisting Dr. Seuss books and was also a guest speaker at Harris Teeter/Kraft Kids Camp, where he spoke on the importance of education and team work, ran skill stations and signed autographs.
• Moved to the United States from Jamaica when he was six years old and did not start playing football until his junior year in high school.
• List of favorites: (movie) “Spiderman 1, 2 and 3”; (TV show) “Martin”; (actor) Martin Lawrence; (music artist or group) Celine Dion; (food) jerk chicken; (vacation spot) Nashville; (school subject) physical education; (car) Chevy Corvette; (video game) Call of Duty; (sports hero) Steve Young; and (book) “Who Moved My Cheese?”
• Born Jovan Haye on June 21, 1982 in Mandeville, Jamaica.

Read more