Dennis Link Class: RS Senior Hometown: Long Beach, CA High School: Poly Height / Weight: 6-2 / 218 Position: MLB Birthdate: 01/15/1981

UCLA — Dennis figures to compete with Justin London for the starting job at one of the inside linebacker positions … He is a very smart football player who can play either inside spot … A good, tough athlete … His experience will be a big plus in the middle of the defense … He also figures to once again be a key contributor on special teams.

2002 — Saw action in 12 games overall and made 10 tackles on the year … On the field for 40 plays in the Oklahoma State game and saw spot duty in the others … Credited with five tackles in the game against the Cowboys … Had one tackle each against Colorado, San Diego State and Washington State … Had two stops in the bowl game win over New Mexico … Member of the punt, field goal block, kickoff return and kickoff units on special teams during the season.

2001 — Saw action in 10 games overall … Appeared on the defensive side of the ball in two games (Oregon State and California) … A member of various special team units … Was not credited with a tackle.

2000 — In his first season of action, Dennis saw the majority of his action on special teams … Played nine defensive snaps in place of an injured Robert Thomas versus Oregon State … Appeared in a total of nine games on various units, including kickoff return, kickoff coverage and punt return … Made four tackles on the year, including two assists versus Oregon State.

1999 — Did not see action in his first year with the program and has one season of eligibility remaining.

HIGH SCHOOL — Lettered three years in football for coach Jerry Jaso at Long Beach Poly High … SuperPrep All-Far West selection, he was rated the No. 47 player in California/Arizona/Hawaii … A PrepStar All-American who was rated the No. 12 linebacker in the Western Region … Member of Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West second team (six votes) … Member of Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100 … Named first-team All-CIF Southern Section … Member of Orange County Register Fab 15 third team … Selected All-CIF Division I … L.A. Times South Coast/Southeast Lineman/Linebacker of the Year … First-team L.A. Times All-South Coast/Southeast … As a senior, he was selected his league’s defensive MVP after making 121 solo tackles … Also accounted for eight quarterback sacks, 25 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, six deflections and three interceptions … Named All-Moore League and Defensive MVP for the Moore League …PrepStar pre-season All-West selection … Helped Poly win the CIF Division I title as a junior and advance to the championship game as a senior … Three-time Moore League champs, 1996-98 … Also lettered in baseball (third base).

PERSONAL — Full Name: Dennis Matthew Link … Born: January 15, 1981 in San Pedro, CA … Parents: Mark and Gisella Link … Has two brothers, Miles and Jeff … Hobbies include snowboarding and body boarding … Biggest sports thrill was trying to defend the 1997 CIF title … Lists linebacker Dat Nguyen of the Dallas Cowboys as one of the athletes he admires … Political Science major.

Varsity Statistics - D. Link
Tackles

Career Highs:
Tackles: 5 vs. Oklahoma State, 2002