Stevenson Sylvester
Encyclopedia
Stevenson Ellis Sylvester (born July 18, 1988 in Las Vegas, Nevada
) is an American football
inside linebacker
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
of the National Football League
.
for four years. As a senior at Valley High School in Las Vegas, Sylvester was not highly recruited. In fact, it was not until midway through his senior year that the Utes started recruiting him, the only school that made a scholarship offer.
, Sylvester started in 3 games, but saw action in 10. He ended his freshman season with 23 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble
and an interception which he returned 45 yards for a touchdown
.
In 2007
, Sylvester played in all 13 games, starting 8. He was second on the team in tackles and tackles for loss with 86 and 10 respectively. He had his best game of the year against his home town UNLV Rebels
with 14 tackles 2.5 for a loss. He ended the year with 6 tackles in the bowl game against Navy and Honorable Mention All-MWC
and helped lead the Utes to an eventual 9-4 record.
Sylvester was named as one of the defensive captains in his junior year and helped lead the 2008 Utes
to a 13–0 record and a final ranking of #2 in the BCS rankings. Sylvester was named second-team All-MWC
with 121 tackles, 16 for loss and 7.5 sacks. He finished the season with a remarkable performance in the Sugar Bowl
, with 7 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception and a fumble recovery.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
) is an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
inside linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
Early years
Sylvester was born to parents Worrel Sylvester and Angela Levi in Las Vegas, Nevada. His mother played college basketball for the Southern Utah UniversitySouthern Utah University
Southern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. It was founded in 1897 as an extension of the Agricultural College of Utah, by the citizens of Cedar City.During its history, the school has been known as:...
for four years. As a senior at Valley High School in Las Vegas, Sylvester was not highly recruited. In fact, it was not until midway through his senior year that the Utes started recruiting him, the only school that made a scholarship offer.
College career
As a true freshman in 20062006 Utah Utes football team
The 2006 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2006–2007. The team was coached by 2nd year head football coach Kyle Whittingham. The Utes played their homes games in Rice–Eccles Stadium.-Schedule:...
, Sylvester started in 3 games, but saw action in 10. He ended his freshman season with 23 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
and an interception which he returned 45 yards for a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
.
In 2007
2007 Utah Utes football team
The 2007 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team was coached by 3rd year head football coach Kyle Whittingham...
, Sylvester played in all 13 games, starting 8. He was second on the team in tackles and tackles for loss with 86 and 10 respectively. He had his best game of the year against his home town UNLV Rebels
UNLV Rebels
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas' sports teams are called the Rebels. The Rebels participate in NCAA Division I and in the Mountain West Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The school's colors are Scarlet and Grey. The Rebels' main rival is the Wolf Pack of the University...
with 14 tackles 2.5 for a loss. He ended the year with 6 tackles in the bowl game against Navy and Honorable Mention All-MWC
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
and helped lead the Utes to an eventual 9-4 record.
Sylvester was named as one of the defensive captains in his junior year and helped lead the 2008 Utes
2008 Utah Utes football team
The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium...
to a 13–0 record and a final ranking of #2 in the BCS rankings. Sylvester was named second-team All-MWC
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
with 121 tackles, 16 for loss and 7.5 sacks. He finished the season with a remarkable performance in the Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
, with 7 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception and a fumble recovery.