Overview

Sidbury, who the coaching staff at Richmond called the team's best athlete, excelled as the premier pass rusher in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. He was a valuable track and field performer, competing in the throws and the 100-meter dash. An Honor Roll student, Sidbury led the team to the national championship in 2008, the first title won by any sports program at Richmond.

No one could've scripted a better end to his college career. Facing one of the most dominating teams of the last decade, he led a spirited defense that held Montana to 34 yards rushing -- its lowest output in more than two seasons. Sidbury almost won that championship game by himself, accounting for four sacks to lead the Spiders to a 24-7 victory and the FCS title.

Sidbury earned All-State, All-Metro, All-County and All-League as a senior at Oxon Hill High School, serving as team captain his final two seasons. The three-year starter was a member of the Washington, D.C. Golden 11 team and played in the Prince Georges County All-Star Game. He also lettered in track, winning the county title and finished second at the state finals in the shot put. He received academic accolades and was an Honor Roll student as part of the Science and Vo-Tech program.

In 2004, Sidbury appeared briefly in the season opener vs. North Carolina State before sitting out the rest of the Richmond schedule, retaining freshman eligibility. He appeared in 13 games in 2006, earning on start at left defensive end, helping the team rank fourth in the Atlantic Ten Conference in total defense. He finished that year with 24 tackles (12 solos), three sacks and four stops for losses.

As a sophomore, Sidbury played in nine games for the Spiders, collecting 17 tackles (11 solos) that included 5.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also lettered on the outdoor track team, posting a season-best 41-feet 4 1/2-inch-toss in the shot put.

Sidbury moved into the starting lineup at left defensive end as a junior. He earned All-Colonial Athletic Association and All-State first-team honors. He totaled 48 tackles (22 solo) that included five sacks, making 8.5 stops for loss. He again competed on the school's track team, clocking a season-best 12.07 in the 100 meters at the Atlantic Ten Conference Championship.

As a senior, Sidbury was again an All-CAA first-team choice, as he was also named an All-American first-team choice. He registered 11.5 sacks, the third-highest season total by a Spider, as he collected a career-high 56 tackles (26 solos), along with 20 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused three fumbles and recovered another, helping the team rank 12th in the nation vs. the rush, allowing only 94.0 yards per game.

High School

Attended Oxon Hill (Cheltenham, Md.) High School, playing football for head coach Randolph Warren...Earned All-State, All-Metro, All-County and All-League as a senior...Served as team captain his final two seasons...The three-year starter was also a member of the Washington, D.C. Golden 11 team and played in the Prince Georges County All-Star Game...Lettered in track, winning the county title and finished second at the state finals in the shot put...Received academic accolades and was an Honor Roll student as part of the Science and Vo-Tech program.

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Analysis

Positives: Solidly built athlete with room for additional mass, especially in his upper body. Long arms. Flashes initial quickness off the snap to pressure the outside. Good lateral quickness to redirect back to the inside if he senses the tackle leaning outside. Good hand placement and use of leverage to bull rush the tackle into the pocket. Can close quickly with an open lane. Good effort in pursuit. Helped himself with a solid week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game.

Negatives: Lacks the height and bulk in his lower body most teams prefer in a defensive end. Marginal strength at the point of attack and can be targeted in the running game. Likes to run around blocks in space, rather than take them on and discard. Lacks explosiveness off the snap and is often late.

Compares To: HUGH DOUGLAS, ex-Philadelphia -- Sidbury could also be compared to Philadelphia's Trent Cole and Denver's Elvis Dumervil. They all might lack the size you look for in a 4-3 defensive end, but all have been able to compensate for that deficiency with their long wing span and explosion off the snap. Some scouts compare him to the Colts' Dwight Freeney, but Sidbury is not that fast or explosive and has shown more consistent leverage as a run defender at this stage in his career. His style of play is similar to that of Douglas, in that he uses leverage and natural power to defeat bigger blockers but can also pick up sacks in bunches with effort.

Injury Report

2006: Sat out the Delaware (10/14) and William & Mary (11/18) games with an ankle sprain.

2007: Missed most of the Wofford clash (12/01) and sat out the Appalachian State game (12/07) with a high ankle sprain.

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