University of Memphis Athletics
Dontari Poe Selected As One of College Football's Strongest
Apr 22, 2011 | Football
April 22, 2011
MEMPHIS, TENN. -
ESPN’s Bruce Feldman put together a listing of the 10 Strongest Players in College Football, and Memphis defensive lineman Dontari Poe made the list at No. 5.
At 6-5 and 350 pounds, the junior lineman is capable of a 700-pound squat, a 500-pound bench and a 400-pound power clean according to Ryan Cidzik, who is currently the interim director of the football strength and conditioning program. Cidzik has trained numerous NFL players while working with programs such as the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns, and he says, "I've been around some very strong defensive linemen when I was coaching in the NFL, and Poe's up there with all of them. If I have another year with him, he will probably be the strongest player I've ever been around."
Poe was one of two defensive linemen last season who started all 12 games. He was second on the defensive line in tackles with 41, and tied for second on the team in sacks with two. He was credited with three QB hurries and a pass breakup as a sophomore in 2010, and posted a seven-tackle effort against UTEP. His sacks were against UTEP and Marshall, and his sack versus the Thundering Herd was for an 11-yard loss. Poe was a 2009 C-USA All-Freshman honoree and was an honorable mention all C-USA selection in 2010. In the 2011 Blue-Gray Game, Poe was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player.
The full list of the Top 10 is below. Click HERE to see the link posted on ESPN.com.
Josh Chapman, DT Alabama
Mike Martin, NT Michigan
Brandon Boudreaux, DE Troy
Eric Richter, DL Colorado
Dontari Poe, DT Memphis
Julian Burnett, ILB Ga. Tech
Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
John Simon, DL Ohio St
Michael Ford, RB LSU
Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern
