Michael Boley

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Transactions
Selected as the first of two fifth round (160th pick overall) draft choices by Atlanta in 2005.

Career
Posted his best season in 2007 after setting numerous career highs in total tackles (125), solo tackles (88) and forced fumbles (three).

Has become a continual playmaker in his first three NFL seasons, playing in 48 games with 41 starts.

Voted to the All-Rookie team by Pro Football Weekly and the Professional Football Writers of America as a special-teamer.

2007 (Falcons)
Started all 16 games of the season at linebacker while finishing second on the team in tackles with a career-high 125, while tallying a career-best 88 solo tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles. Finished tied for 15th in the NFC in tackles and led the Falcons in double-digit stop performances with five.

Logged a team-high 13 tackles vs. Houston (9/30) in addition to one forced fumble.

Registered a career-high 17 tackles at Tennessee (10/7) in addition to posting one interception, one pass defensed and one tackle on special teams for a defense that posted a season-high five turnovers.

Tallied a career-high three sacks vs. Indianapolis (11/22) in addition to posting nine tackles and one forced fumble. His three sacks in the first half marked the first time in Falcons history a player had accomplished the feat.

2006 (Falcons)
Saw action in 16 games with 14 starts and ranked third on the team with 90 tackles in addition to posting three sacks, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, one forced fumble and seven passes defensed, while adding three tackles on special teams.

Led the team with a season-high 13 tackles at New Orleans (9/25) in addition to recording one passes defensed.

Posted seven tackles, one sack, one interception, two pass defensed and a forced fumble vs. Arizona (10/1).

2005 (Falcons)
Played in all 16 games with 11 starts, taking over at the starting linebacker position in Week 6. Recorded 60 tackles, five passes defensed and one forced fumble on the season in addition to posting nine tackles and one blocked field goal on special teams.

Made first career start at outside linebacker and accounted for five tackles and a forced fumble, which was recovered by CB DeAngelo Hall and returned 66 yards for the Falcons first touchdown of the game, at New Orleans (10/16). On the Saints next possession, Boley blocked a 39-yard field goal attempt by K John Carney with four seconds left in the first half, which was then recovered by LB Demorrio Williams and returned 59 yards for a touchdown as time expired.

Established a then career-high 14 tackles at Tampa Bay (12/24) in addition to one pass defensed and one special teams tackle.

College
Recorded 423 tackles, 28.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles, starting 38 of 47 contests for the Golden Eagles. His 423 career tackles rank sixth in school history, while his nine forced fumbles rank first and 28.5 sacks rank second.

Became the first three-time All Conference USA first-team selection.

Conference USA’s Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Lott, Butkus and Bednarik awards after totaling 125 tackles, nine sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions as a senior. Also presented with the Conerly Trophy, presented annually to the best college football player in Mississippi.

Personal
Competed at free safety, wide receiver and running back at Elkmont (AL) High School. Rushed for 1,015 yards as a senior on 126 carries and posted another 746 yards receiving.

Graduated in May, 2005 from Southern Miss with a degree in Coaching and Sports Administration.

Heavily involved in the Atlanta community as a mentor to young children.

Born Michael Jerome Boley on August 24, 1982 in Gadsen, Alabama.

He is married (Chantelle) and has four children Michael Jr., McKale, Josh, and Tyler.