Chris Evans, So., Running Back

As a freshman, Chris Evans became the first Bulldog to rush for more than 1,000 yards since the 1999 season, totaling 1,033 yards and five touchdowns while averaging more than 5.5 yards per carry.

Rodney Shepherd, Sr., Linebacker

Shepherd was Samford’s leading tackler for the second consecutive season in 2007, recording 88 total tackles and 68 solo stops. Shepherd also notched four tackles for loss on the season.

After spending the past five seasons as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, Samford joined the SoCon on July 1, 2008 as the league’s 12^th member and the 43^rd in the conference’s 88-year history.

Head coach Pat Sullivan’s Bulldogs were 4-7 in 2007, including a 2-6 mark in the OVC. Leading rusher Chris Evans returns for his sophomore season after accumulating 1,033 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman. Paving the way for Evans will be 6’6”, 308-lbs. offensive lineman Mitchell Waters.

The Bulldogs return seven starters on offense and eight on defense, including senior linebackers Rodney Shepherd and Quinton Smith, the team’s leading tacklers in 2007.

After opening the season at home with a pair of non-Division I opponents, Samford visits Mississippi before traveling to Elon on Sept. 27 for its first-ever SoCon contest. Appalachian State, The Citadel, Furman and Wofford all visit Birmingham during Samford’s inaugural SoCon season.