While I was working on a story on UConn senior safety Obi Melifonwu, set to run in tomorrow's paper my research revealed some interesting tidbits.

First, seven former UConn defensive backs are currently in the NFL (Andrew Adams, Tyvon Branch, Darius Butler, Dwayne Gratz, Byron Jones, Robert McClain and Blidi Wreh-Wilson). According to the ESPN database, that is tied for 10th.

Alabama 12
Florida 11
Clemson 10
LSU 10
Texas 10
Notre Dame 9
Ohio State 9
Auburn 8
Florida State 8
Miami 7
Oregon 7
Oregon State 7
San Jose State 7
UConn 7
USC 7
Virginia Tech 7
Also, Melifonwu's 233 career tackles ranks 18th among FBS active players and five of the top 19 in that category are from the AAC.

Nate Holley Kent 35 315

Dakota Cox New Mexico 34 312
Christian Tago San Jose State 311
Devon Edwards Duke 41 298
Zach Edwards Cincinnati 39 287
Ryan Janvion Wake Forest 35 282
Skai Moore South Carolina 37 260 (OUT FOR SEASON)
Steven Taylor Houston 39 257
Salamo Fiso Arizona State 40 253
Zack Ryan Ball State 37 250
Hardy Nickerson Cal (now at Illinois) 35 246
T.J. Neal Illinois (now at Auburn) 89 245
Quin Blanding Virginia 24 238
P.J. Davis, Georgia Tech 39 237
John Law, Appalachian State 39 236
Lucas Wacha Wyoming 35 236
Trent Martin Tulsa 40 236
Obi Melifonwu UConn 36 233
Nico Marley, Tulane 37 231
Finally, it looks like my research resulting in compiling the leading tacklers in UConn history to track where Adams stood will come in handy this season as Melifonwu is currently 27th on UConn's career tackles list and has a realistic chance  to become the 13th Husky with at least 300 tackles.

1. John Dorsey 80-83 495
2. Lawrence Wilson 07-10 449
3. Troy Ashley 86-89 428
4. Maurice Lloyd 01-04 412
5. Mike Jansen 84-87 394
6. Vernon Hargreaves 80-83 393
7. Alfred Fincher 01-04 357
8. Paul Duckworth 90-93 354
9. Dennis O'Connell 76-78 341
10. Yawin Smallwood 11-13 332
11. Paul Zenkert 91-94 312
12. Brad Keatley  94-97 311
13. Uyi Osunde 99-03 292
14. Mark Michaels 82-85 290
15. Abbott Burrell 86-89 288
16. Terrance Smith 00-03 280
17. Rob Belucore 89-92 274
17. Sio Moore 09-12 274
19. James Hargrave 02-05 271
19. Andrew Adams 12-15 271
21. Jamar Wilkins 97-00 270
22. Rich Fenton 73-75 266
23. Lou Donato 81-84 257
24. Jeff DeLucia 97-99 241
25. Kirk Ferentz 74-76 240
26. Chris Meyer 00-02 236
27. MELIFONWU 233
28. Andrew Cary 88-91 232
29. Byron Jones 11-14 222
30. Matt Donovan 78-81 221