Jay Sonnhalter

Height:
6-5
Weight:
249
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Cary, N.C.
High School:
Wingate

An unselfish, program-type player who provides exemplary leadership, attitude and effort on a daily basis ... In addition to strengths in assignment detail, has also used work ethic to enhance physical, pass-catching element of game which resulted in a significant increase in playing time on offensive side of the ball and on special teams in 2006 ... Will open senior year on preseason depth chart, listed alongside J.R. Kraemer as Davon Drew[apos]s top backup ...Lost a little leverage and momentum after suffering a season-ending ankle/lower leg injury at N.C. State and subsequently missing [apos]07 spring workouts ... Will again be counted on to continue high-level of special teams service provided as a sophomore and junior ... Has experienced significant physical development since beginning work in Mike Golden[apos]s strength program.

2006: Started five of 12 games played at tight end ... Opened contests against West Virginia, Virginia, Tulsa, Rice and N.C. State ... Pulled down four passes for 59 yards (14.8 average) ... Scored lone touchdown in regular season finale against N.C. State, catching a two-yard pass from James Pinkney early in the second quarter ... Tied for the team lead with Kyle Chase with seven special teams tackles ... Tallied tackles in six of 12 games (high of two vs. West Virginia 9/23) ... Selected as the program[apos]s 'Effort Award' winner for play on special teams ... Suffered ankle/lower leg injury against the Wolfpack which forced him out of action for the Papajohns.com Bowl against USF ... vs. Navy (9/2): Experienced action both as a tight end and on special teams ... Did not record any statistics ... vs. UAB (9/9): Played on special teams unit and recorded one tackle on kickoff coverage ... vs. Memphis (9/16): Was not credited with a tackle in limited duty on special teams ... vs. WVU (9/23): Recorded first start of season as a tight end ... Credited with two solo tackles on special teams but did not record any offensive statistics ... vs. UVA (10/7): Picked up first career reception (22 yards) in the first quarter ... Second reception of 16 yards followed in the second quarter ... Finished contest with two catches for 38 yards ... Recorded one tackle on special teams ... vs. Tulsa (10/14): Started third straight game at tight end ... Did not record any offensive statistics but did book one special teams tackle ... vs. SMU (10/21): Pulled in one reception for 19 yards and recorded one tackle on special teams ... vs. USM (10/28): Did not record any catches or tackles in dual role ... vs. UCF (11/4): Experienced game action as a member of special teams as well as a reserve tight end but did not record statistics ... vs. Marshall (11/11): Again, participated on offensive side of the ball and on special teams without compiling statistics ... vs. Rice (11/18): Started fourth game of season at tight end ... Logged one tackle on special teams ... vs. N.C. State (11/25): Started fifth and final game of the season ... Caught first career touchdown pass before sustaining a season-ending ankle/lower leg injury ... Also returned a kickoff for 14 yards as 'up-back' on return squad before departure ... vs. USF (12/23): DNP-INJ (ankle/lower leg).

2005: Played in all 11 games ... Made one start (Rice) when Pirates opened contest in double-tight end package ... Logged three tackles as special teams participant (Duke, Marshall and UAB) ... Returned a total of three kickoffs as 'up-back' (1-5 vs. Wake Forest, 2-15 vs. Southern Miss) ... Had long single return of 10 yards against Golden Eagles ... Also called for fair catch on two short kicks in season opener vs. Duke at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

2004: Sat out the season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules ... Joined the ECU program during the spring after beginning his career at Wingate College.

2003: Played in all 11 games at Wingate but did not record any statistics as member of offensive unit and special teams.

High School: A four-sport athlete (football, basketball, track and baseball) for the Wolverines at Wakefield High School ... Prep football coach was Steve Rivers, father of former N.C. State great and NFL quarterback Phillip Rivers.

Personal: Full name is Jay Christopher Sonnhalter ... Born Dec. 13, 1984 at Oceanside, Calif. ... A health fitness specialist major ... Earned selection to ECU Honor Roll for academic performance ... Father John played football at Cornell ... Lists all sports and weightlifting as top hobbies.