University of South Alabama Athletics

Jaguar Highlights: Expected to start at the “MIKE” linebacker slot in the fall ... Earned preseason fourth-team all-Sun Belt Conference honors from Athlon Sports ... One of three captains for the Red team, which won the annual spring game by a field goal; he had one unassisted tackle in the contest.

As A Senior (2014): Had to sit out after transferring into the program ... Was selected the coaches’ defensive scout team award winner following win at Idaho, also collecting special teams scout team honors after the Jags defeated Texas State to earn postseason bowl eligibility.

Texas Tech Highlights (2011-13): Played three years at Texas Tech, recording a total of 77 stops including eight behind the line ... Helped the Red Raiders to an 8-5 finish and a 37-23 win over No. 16 Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl his final season ... Appeared in seven games in 2013, making 11 tackles — eight of those were unassisted — including two for loss ... Credited with a season-best six stops, all solo, in win over Texas State ... Collected a pair of tackles in Big 12 opener against 24th-ranked TCU ... Recorded a stop against No. 12 Oklahoma ... TTU was also 8-5 when he was a sophomore after concluding the season with a 34-31, come-from-behind victory over Minnesota in the Meineke Car Care Bowl ... Played in 13 games, starting twice, posting 34 total stops including 27 solo ... Posted five tackles in the Red Raiders’ bowl win ... Had six stops — including five unassisted —  against Baylor ... Credited with five solo tackles against No. 4 West Virginia ... Tied for team-high honors with five stops in New Mexico victory ... Collected three tackles in conference win at Iowa State, adding two including one behind the line of scrimmage in Big 12 victory over Kansas ... Made an unassisted stop in contests against nationally-ranked opponents Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas ... Named to the Rivals.com Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2011 after collecting 32 tackles (28 unassisted) with four for loss, an interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in just eight contests ... Paced the squad with nine tackles — a career-high total — with one for a loss of two yards against 17th-ranked Kansas State ... Started in his collegiate debut, finishing second on the team with eight tackles — including one for loss — to go along with one forced fumble and recovered a fumble against Texas State; it was the most stops recorded by a Tech true freshman in a season opener in more than 11 years as well as the most by a freshman in the Big 12 Conference during Week 1 ... Collected four solo tackles, with one four yards behind the line of scrimmage, in Nevada win ... Finished with three stops against No. 24 Texas A&M, matching that total and also forcing a fumble in victory at KU ... Had a trio of tackles and his first career interception in defeat of New Mexico ... Credited with unassisted tackles in match-ups with No. 2 Oklahoma State and 18th-rated Baylor.

High School Highlights: Received three stars from Rivals.com after lettering for four years at Spanish Fort High ... Was rated the 39th-best prospect in the state and also was named to the PrepStar All-Southeast team ... Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game at the conclusion of his prep career ... Led the Toros to their first-ever state 5A championship as a senior — SFHS finished the year 13-2 — with seven tackles in the title game against Briarwood Christian School ... Helped the school to an 11-3 mark after reaching the semifinals of the state playoffs as a junior ... Part of a Toro squad that advanced to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs en route to an 11-2 finish when he was a sophomore.

Personal: Full name is William Blake Dees ... Born Aug. 29, 1992, in Opelika, Ala. ... Son of Jon and Donna Dees ... Is the youngest of three boys ... Likes to hunt and work out in his spare time ... An interdisciplinary studies major.