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Aaron Rouse | Safety | Virginia Tech | 6'4" - 223 lbs.
OVERVIEW
The Hokies have been known for their hard-hitting defensive players since Frank Beamer took
over as head coach at the school in 1987. The team's coaching staff and almost every opposing
offensive coordinator agree - pound for pound, Rouse is one of the most punishing tacklers to
ever wear a Tech uniform.
With his size, quickness and strength, several National Football League teams are also looking at
Rouse as a potential linebacker candidate. With the success that former safety, Cato June, has
had since moving to linebacker with Indianapolis, Rouse could be an ideal fit for a team utilizing a
Cover-2 scheme that relies on quickness, range and physicality from their linebacking unit.
Rouse was a Prep Star All-American selection that was named the Defensive Player of the Year
in the Beach District as a senior at First Colonial High School. He saw action as a wide receiver,
safety, linebacker, running back and cornerback during his career for coaches Sam Scarborough
and Frank Webster. For his career, he registered 176 tackles with nine interceptions and blocked
a school record eight kicks.
During his final campaign, Rouse added first-team All-District, All-Tidewater and All-Region
honors. He was named first-team Group AAA by the Associated Press and second-team by the
state coaches as a defensive back. He ranked the 32nd-best safety in the nation by Rivals.com
and the ninth-best defensive back in the Atlantic Region by Prep Star.
An All-Mid-Atlantic Region choice by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report, Rouse made 85
tackles in 2001, including a pair of sacks. He also intercepted five passes, recovered three
fumbles and blocked three kicks. He caught thirteen passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns
as a receiver.
As a junior, Rouse collected 71 tackles, eight sacks and three interceptions, including a game-
saving pass theft vs. Ocean Lakes High. He was named first-team All-District and second-team
All-Tidewater Area that year. He also lettered in basketball.
Rouse enrolled at Virginia Tech in 2002, spending the season performing on the scout team. He
was a Freshman All-American choice by Rivals.com in 2003, as he appeared in thirteen games,
starting at "field" outside linebacker vs. James Madison. He posted 46 tackles (19 solos) with
three stops for losses and a forced fumble. He also deflected a pair of passes.
In 2004, Rouse backed up James Anderson at the "field" outside linebacker position. In thirteen
games, he made 37 tackles (16 solos). He caused one fumble and had 2.5 stops behind the line
of scrimmage. Rouse earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors from The NFL Draft Report in
2005, as he started all year at the "Rover" position. He ranked third on the team with 77 tackles
while batting away five passes and picking off four others. He also caused and recovered a
fumble while totaling 4.5 stops for losses.
In 2006, Rouse finished third on the team with 57 tackles (23 solos), adding two stops for losses
and a forced fumble. He batted away two passes and picked off another. In 52 games at Virginia
Tech, Rouse started 24 contests. He recorded 217 tackles (93 solos) with twelve stops for losses
of 34 yards. He caused four fumbles and recovered another. He also deflected nine passes and
had five interceptions for 80 yards in returns.
CAREER NOTES
The recipient of the team's President's Award, given for the defensive player who showed the
most outstanding leadership, Rouse has also excelled in the team's training room...Earned Super
Iron Hokie Award honors in 2005-2006 while leading the team with a 605-pound back
squat...Also set new position records with a 360-pound power clean and a 360-pound push jerk.
2006 SEASON
Played in all thirteen games, starting ten contests at the "Rover" position...Ranked third on the
team with 57 tackles (23 solos), including two stops for losses of 4 yards...Caused one fumble
and deflected two passes...Also had a 28-yard interception return...Made eight of his tackles on
third-down plays and had five stops inside the red zone, including three on goal-line situations.
2006 GAME ANALYSIS
Northeastern...Rouse opened the season with six tackles (2 solos) and a pass break-up...
Stopped tailback Maurice Murray on a third-&-26 run that netted just one yard, forcing
Northeastern to punt on the game's opening drive...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#88-
Kendrick Ballantyne-Two catches for 18 yards.
North Carolina...Added another six tackles (4 solos) with a stop behind the line of
scrimmage...Intercepted a Joe Dailey pass in the Tech end zone, advancing the ball 28 yards
with 7:20 left in the first half...Tackled QB Cam Sexton for a 1-yard loss at the UNC 14 on a
bootleg with 2:06 remaining in the second quarter...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#86-Jon
Hamlett-One catch for 4 yards.
Duke...Collected five tackles (4 solos)...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#80-Nick Stefanow-
Three catches for 21 yards (stopped Stefanow from catching another pass).
Cincinnati...Tallied three tackles...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#85-Brent Celek-Three
catches for 45 yards.
Georgia Tech...Followed with four tackles (3 solos), including one that stopped QB Reggie Ball
after a 2-yard gain on a first-&-goal bootleg with 5:54 to go in the first quarter...Main Pass
Coverage Assignment-TE#48-Michael Matthews-No catches (stopped Matthews from getting to
two other throws).
Boston College...Delivered six tackles (3 solos)...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#85-Ryan
Thompson-Three catches for 38 yards.
Southern Mississippi...Had four tackles (3 assists) in reserve action.
Miami...In his final game he was called upon to cover tight end Greg Olsen, preventing the
opponent from getting to four of six passes thrown his way...Finished the day with a pair of
tackles, assisting in taking down tailback Tyrone Moss for a 4-yard loss at the UM 43 with 6:03
left to play...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#82-Greg Olsen-Two catches for 14 yards.
Kent State...Rouse had five assisted tackles, joining defensive end Noland Burchette in chasing
down Darren Rogers on a third-&-10 QB draw that netted 2 yards on KSU's game-opening
drive...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#8-Tom Sitko-Two catches for 29 yards (prevented
Sitko from grabbing one other pass).
Wake Forest...Caused a fumble and made four solo tackles...Stripped the ball from Kenneth
Harris at the WF 32 after a 2-yard catch and Tech linebacker Xavier Adibi recovered the ball, as
Rouse then blocked offensive tackle Steve Vallos to spring Adibi for a 35-yard touchdown return
with 3:01 remaining in the third quarter...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#84-Zac Selmon-
One catch for 6 yards (stopped Selmon from catching two other passes).
Virginia...Made three tackles, stopping tailback Jason Snelling on a 4-yard run for the game's first
play from scrimmage and two plays later on third-&-3, Rouse stopped Snelling on a 2-yard run,
forcing the Cavaliers to punt...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#86-Tom Santi-No catches.
Georgia (Chick-fil-a Bowl)...Rouse closed out his career with six tackles (3 solos) and a pass
deflection...Tackled tailback Kregg Lumpkin for no gain at the UGA 25 on a rushing attempt with
4:36 left in the first half...Chased down Milner on a 41-yard catch at the start of the fourth quarter
and later in that drive, Rouse teamed with linebacker Vince Hall to tackle Stafford for a 1-yard
loss on a first-&-goal option run...On Georgia's next series, Rouse batted a third-&-goal Stafford
pass away from Milner with 9:16 left in the game...Main Pass Coverage Assignment-TE#89-
Martrez Milner-Three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown (stopped Milner from grabbing two
other throws).
2005 SEASON
Won the President's Award for the defensive player who showed the most outstanding
leadership...Named All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team by The NFL Draft Report... Added
ACC Defensive Back of the Week vs. North Carolina State...Started all year at the "Rover"
position, ranking third on the team with a career-high 77 tackles (35 solos)...Had 4.5 stops for
losses of 7 yards, recovered one fumble and caused another...Deflected five passes and had
four interceptions for 52 yards in returns (13.0 avg).
2005 GAME ANALYSIS
North Carolina State...Rouse opened the season in explosive fashion, gaining 18 yards on two
interception returns while making eight tackles (4 solos) with two pass break-ups and a forced
fumble...With 3:24 remaining in the first quarter, he picked off a Jay Davis pass at the VT 25 for
an 18-yard return...Caused a fumble when he stripped the ball from tailback Darrell Blackmon
after a 12-yard catch at the UNC 43 with 0:37 remaining in the third quarter...Intercepted another
Davis pass at the VT 6 on the final play of the game, preserving a 20-16 decision.
Ohio University...Added three tackles, including one that stopped tight end Rudy Sylvan for a 1-
yard loss on a screen pass from QB Austen Everson as time ran out in the first half.
West Virginia...Had another three tackles and recovered a fumble by tailback Pernell Williams at
the WV 24, setting up a 10-yard touchdown run by Tech QB Marcus Vick early in the first quarter.
Marshall...Registered four tackles and assisted linebacker James Anderson in stopping tailback
Ahmad Bradshaw for a 3-yard loss on a rushing attempt during the third play of the game.
Miami...Posted a career-high thirteen tackles (4 solos) and deflected one pass.
Virginia...Gained 34 yards on two interceptions and produced eight tackles (5 solos) with a stop
behind the line of scrimmage...Intercepted a Marques Hagans pass at the VT 43 and returned it
25 yards to set up Branden Ore's 7-yard touchdown run at the 7:26 mark of the third quarter...On
Virginia's only play of the next drive, Rouse again picked off Hagans, returning the ball 9 yards to
the UVA 24 to set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Cedric Humes...At the start of the fourth quarter,
Rouse tackled tailback Wali Lundy for a 1-yard loss at the Tech 16.
North Carolina...Delivered ten tackles (4 solos) and a pass break-up...Teamed with line-backer
Xavier Adibi to tackle tailback Ronnie McGill for a 3-yard loss with 10:49 remaining on the game
clock.
Louisville (Gator Bowl)...Finished the season with four tackles (3 solos).
2004 SEASON
A Super Iron Hokie Award winner, Rouse spent the season playing behind James Anderson at
the "field" linebacker position...Recorded 37 tackles (16 solos) with 2.5 stops foand a forced fumble...Was in for 284 defensive plays and 50 on special teams.
2004 GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Played 36 snaps on defense vs. Western Michigan, recording two solo tackles, an assist and a
forced fumble...Had five total tackles vs. Duke...Was in on five tackles, including one for a loss vs.
North Carolina State...Had four tackles, including one for a loss, in the win over
Maryland...Registered five tackles in the Sugar Bowl vs. Auburn.
2003 SEASON
Earned Freshman All-American honorable mention from Rivals.com...Played in all thirteen
games behind Brandon Manning at "field" linebacker...Started in place of Manning in the James
Madison contest...Recorded 46 tackles (19 solos) with three stops for losses of 8 yards...Caused
a fumble and deflected two passes.
2003 GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Made his first collegiate start vs. James Madison, playing 39 defensive plays and three on special
teams vs. the Dukes, registering four solo tackles, seven assists and a forced fumble...Was in on
four tackles, including one behind the line, and deflected a pass vs. California in the Insight Bowl.
2002 SEASON
Spent the fall working at whip linebacker while taking a redshirt year.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.31 in the 40-yard dash...370-pound bench press...605-pound back squat...360-pound push
jerk...360-pound power clean...35-inch vertical jump...33 3/8-inch arm length...9-inch
hands...Right-handed.
COMBINE AGILITY TESTS
4.55 in the 40-yard dash...1.59 10-yard dash...2.64 20-yard dash...35-inch vertical jump... Bench
pressed 225 pounds 16 times.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended First Colonial (Virginia Beach, Va.) High School, playing football for coaches Sam
Scarborough and Frank Webster...Prep Star All-American selection that was named the
Defensive Player of the Year in the Beach District as a senior...Saw action as a wide receiver,
safety, linebacker, running back and cornerback during his career...For his career, he registered
176 tackles with nine interceptions and blocked a school record eight kicks...During his final
campaign, Rouse added first-team All-District, All-Tidewater and All-Region honors...Named first-
team Group AAA by the Associated Press and second-team by the state coaches as a defensive
back...Ranked the 32nd-best safety in the nation by Rivals.com and the ninth-best defensive back
in the Atlantic Region by Prep Star...An All-Mid-Atlantic Region choice by Tom Lemming's Prep
Football Report, Rouse made 85 tackles in 2001, including a pair of sacks...Also intercepted five
passes, recovered three fumbles and blocked three kicks...Caught thirteen passes for 390 yards
and four touch-downs as a receiver...As a junior, Rouse collected 71 tackles, eight sacks and
three interceptions, including a game-saving pass theft vs. Ocean Lakes High...Named first-team
All-District and second-team All-Tidewater Area...Also lettered in basketball.
PERSONAL
Sociology major...Son of Nadine Rouse...Born Aaron Roosevelt Rouse in Norfolk,
Virginia...Resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
| DEFENSIVE STATISTICS |
| Year |
GP |
GS |
TK |
SO |
AS |
FR |
FC |
INT |
TFL |
PBU |
SK |
BK |
| 2003 |
13 |
1 |
46 |
19 |
27 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3.0-8 |
2 |
0-0 |
0 |
| 2004 |
13 |
0 |
37 |
16 |
21 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2.5-15 |
0 |
0-0 |
0 |
| 2005 |
13 |
13 |
77 |
35 |
42 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4.5-7 |
5 |
0-0 |
0 |
| 2006 |
13 |
10 |
57 |
23 |
34 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2.0-4 |
2 |
0-0 |
0 |
| Total |
52 |
24 |
217 |
93 |
124 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
12.0-34 |
9 |
0-0 |
0 |
| INTERCEPTION RETURNS |
| Year |
NO |
YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
LONG |
| 2005 |
4 |
52 |
13.0 |
0 |
25 |
| 2006 |
1 |
28 |
28.0 |
0 |
28 |
| Total |
5 |
80 |
16.0 |
0 |
28 |
Bios courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com
distributed by The Sports Xchange
© Copyright 2006/07 - All Rights Reserved
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