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LB DESMOND BISHOP #55 6' 2" • 235 lbs. • California Exp: 2nd NFL Season, 2nd Packers Season Age: 23 Acquired: Draft 2007 (6b) Current Status: Active Roster   Likely to get a look at outside linebacker and on special teams Led the Pac-10 in tackles last year with 126, the first Cal player to lead the conference in 13 years Spent two seasons at Cal after transferring there from City College of San Francisco, a junior college where he was named the state's JC defensive player of the year in 2004 Physically strong and powerful, having bench-pressed 225 pounds 33 times at the NFL Scouting Combine Father Dennis played football collegiately at Illinois and professionally in the USFL Junior College A Two-time letterman at City College of San Francisco (2003-04), was a teammate of present California quarterback, Joe Ayoob Ranked by SuperPrep as the fourth-best community college player in the nation and was voted California's 2004 Junior College Defensive Player of the Year by the JC Athletic Bureau/California Community College Football Coaches Association Named the Northern California Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player First-team JC Gridwire All-American, averaging almost 12 tackles per game with 118 stops in 10 regular-season contests in 2004 Was virtually unstoppable in the state's championship game with 14 tackles (including eight solo stops), one sack and two tackles for loss vs. College of the Canyons Driving force behind a Ram defense that ranked seventh in points allowed (15.4 ppg) and ninth in yards allowed (249.7 ypg) in the state Also played on CCSF's undefeated (13-0) team that won the national championship in 2003 College Summary Was the second of three consecutive sixth-round draft choices, 192nd overall and the 27th linebacker selected Chosen with selection from Pittsburgh acquired along with the Steelers' fourth-round pick (119) for Green Bay's fourth-round choice (112) Became a dominant inside linebacker for two years at California after transferring there from junior college Will likely be given a look as an outside linebacker and special teams contributor for the Packers Led Cal in tackles both his seasons there, leading the Pac-10 Conference last year with 126, the most tackles recorded by a Cal player since Jerrott Willard in 1993 and the first player to lead the conference in tackles since then A physical inside run plugger who shows good timing on the blitz Instincts and anticipation help make up for less-than-ideal speed at the position, which was the most likely reason he wasn't drafted higher than the sixth round Effective at keeping his hands active to take on blocks and make plays on the ball Started all 25 games he appeared in at Cal, collecting 215 tackles (125 solo), 21 stops for loss, three sacks, three interceptions, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries Physically strong, having done 33 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the combine, using that strength to take on a lead blocker when necessary Reads plays quickly and takes the best route to the ball Is the ninth player from Cal drafted by the Packers and second in three years, joining QB Aaron Rodgers (D1-05) Majored in interdisciplinary studies 2006 College Started all 13 games and was a third-team All-American choice by Rivals.com, earning honorable mention from The NFL Draft Report Garnered All-Pac 10 first-team accolades, leading the conference in tackles and leading his team for the second straight year with 126 (63 solo) Became the first California player to lead the Pac-10 in tackles since Willard posted 147 in 1993 His 126 tackles were also the most by a Cal player since Willard's 1993 season Also had three sacks, a team-high 15 stops for loss (fourth in Pac-10), two pass break-ups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries Ranked 14th nationally, averaging 9.69 tackles per game Had at least seven tackles in 11 of 13 contests, and was in double digits five times Posted a then-career high 13 tackles vs. Minnesota (Sept. 9) Had a fumble recovery to set up a TD and a sack to force a punt vs. Arizona State (Sept. 23) among nine tackles Forced a fumble that led to a TD among six tackles at Oregon State (Sept. 30) Registered 10 tackles (eight solo) plus an interception, a sack and two stops for loss vs. Oregon (Oct. 7) In perhaps his best collegiate performance, posted a career-high 16 tackles (seven solo), with 3 ½ tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a game-clinching interception vs. Washington (Oct. 21); intercepted a pass and returned it 79 yards in overtime to seal 31-24 win Notched his third INT of the season the next game vs. UCLA (Nov. 4) and his third sack the following week at Arizona (Nov. 11) Had 13 tackles, including a season-high nine solo, with 1 ½ stops for loss at USC (Nov. 18) Closed career with 12 tackles (eight solo), with one for loss, in 45-10 rout of Texas A&M in Holiday Bowl (Dec. 28) 2005 College Immediately won a starting job at California upon his arrival and picked up second-team All-Pac 10 honors Started all 12 games at middle linebacker and led the team with 89 tackles (62 solo), with six stops for loss, one quarterback pressure, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections Made his Cal debut with seven solo tackles vs. Sacramento State (Sept. 3) Posted the first of seven double-digit tackle performances in his two years at Cal with 11 tackles (eight solo) vs. Illinois (Sept. 17) Had two tackles for loss at Oregon (Nov. 5) Tallied 12 tackles, including a career-high 11 solo, vs. USC (Nov. 12) Closed season with eight tackles (six solo), a pass break-up and a tackle for loss vs. Brigham Young in Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 22) High School Attended Fairfield (Calif.) High School, earning second-team all-state recognition from Calhisports.com Played in the California North-South Shrine All-Star Game as a senior in 2002 Played fullback and linebacker Also lettered in basketball Personal Given name Desmond Lamont Bishop Nicknamed 'Dez' Born in San Francisco, Calif. Single Father Dennis played football collegiately at Illinois and professionally in the USFL In high school, played against fellow Packers player Jarrett Bush, as the two were from rival schools Along with several Cal teammates, served food to the homeless Enjoys reading, writing poetry, and watching movies Residence: Sacramento, Calif. Player Stats Back To Top Tackles Sacks Interceptions Fumbles Year GP GS Total UT AT No Yds No Yds LG TD PD FR FF 2005 California 12 12 89 62 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 2006 California 13 13 126 63 63 3 18 3 79 79 0 2 2 2 D-I College totals (two years) 25 25 215 125 90 3 18 3 79 79 0 4 2 3 Tackles for loss: 6 in 2005, 15 in 2006; D-I college totals: 21.