Jyles Tucker life and biography

Jyles Tucker (born September 18, 1983 in Dover, New Jersey) is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Wake Forest.

Tucker is looking to bounce back strong after a frustrating season in 2009. Plagued by a left ankle injury in training camp that caused him to miss the season opener, he returned to see spot duty in the next seven games. But two months later, Tucker injured his right ankle while covering a punt in the Chargers’ Nov. 8 game at the New York Giants and that injury was severe enough to land him on the "Reserve-Injured" list.

An undrafted free agent in 2007, Tucker saw his stock soar in the final game of his rookie season when he was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week after sacking then-Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell three times, forcing two fumbles and recovering one of them in the end zone for a touchdown.

The Chargers' brass was immediately taken by the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon and signed him to a five-year contract extension in 2008. It proved to be a fruitful move because when Shawne Merriman was lost for the ’08 season after just one game, Tucker was called upon to fill his role and he didn't disappoint, ending the season with the second-most sacks on the team (5.5) and 15 tackles for loss.

Aside from his outstanding strength and football skills, basketball has always been one of Tucker’s true loves. As a prep, he scored more than 1,600 points at Morristown-Beard High School in Dover, New Jersey, and is one of several Chargers who excelled on the hardwood in high school and/or college. A couple summers ago when Head Coach Norv Turner invited former Los Angeles Lakers guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson to speak to the team about preparing for life after sports, Tucker got to meet one of his sporting heroes.

TRANSACTION HISTORY: Signed as undrafted rookie, May 4, 2007...waived Sept. 1 and re-signed to practice squad, Sept. 3...signed to active roster, Nov. 21...signed five-year contract extension thru 2012, Aug. 25, 2008.

2009: Placed on "Reserve-Injured" Nov. 18 (ankle).

2008: Two sacks and TFL Sept. 22 vs. NYJ on ESPN MNF...inj. hamstring 2Q Sept. 28 at OAK…INA Wks 5-7 (hamstring)…TFL in Wild Card Playoffs vs. IND.

2007: AFC and GMC Defensive POW after three sacks and first-career TD Dec. 30 at OAK…sack and FF vs. JaMarcus Russell with FR in end zone...first TD since first start as frosh at Wake Forest...later sealed win with 4Q sack and FF.

COLLEGE: Honorable mention All-ACC as senior… ACC ROW after frosh contest vs. Clemson…finished career with 85 TT, nine sacks and 12.5 TFLs…played at Wake Forest from 2003- 07…majored in religion.

PERSONAL: Born in Morristown, New Jersey…attended Hargrave Military Academy after graduating from Morristown Beard High School…four year starter as DE and QB…New Jersey All-Prep School Team…started four years at SF on basketball team and competed in track, winning conference championship in shot put.

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