One of five 300-pounders on Appalachian’s defensive line ... is in his second and final season with the Mountaineers after transferring from Blinn College following a five-year stint in the U.S. Army, which included two tours of duty in Iraq ... possesses tremendous athleticism for his size ... is expected to be a primary part of ASU’s defensive-line rotation and see extensive playing time for the second-straight season ... enters the campaign penciled in as the top reserve behind starter Dan Wyile at nose tackle.

2010: Played in all 13 games as a member of the Mountaineers’ regular defensive-line rotation at defensive tackle ... tallied 17 tackles and a sack on the campaign ... began the season making the adjustment to Division I football and recorded just one tackle over the first five games ... made 14 stops over the next five games ... notched his first-career multi-tackle game with three versus The Citadel ... turned in his finest performance of the campaign with six stops, including his only sack of the year, and a pass break-up at Western Carolina ... closed out the SoCon slate with two tackles versus Furman and Georgia Southern and one against Wofford ... blocked an extra point versus Wofford that was returned for a defensive two-point conversion by teammate Troy Sanders ... was held without a tackle in the regular-season finale at Florida and postseason opener versus Western Illinois but made two stops in ASU’s season-ending loss to Villanova.

Previous College: Recorded 27 tackles and a sack in eight games at Blinn College (Brenham, Texas) as a sophomore in 2009 ... highlighted his two-year stint at Blinn by helping lead squad to the 2009 National Junior College Athletic Association national championship ... was teammates with 2010 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft Cam Newton ... coached by Brad Franchione.

High School: Helped lead Reagan H.S. to Texas 4A Division II state semifinals as a senior in 2001 ... earned team’s scholar-athlete award ... coached by Andrew Jackson.

Personal: Full name is Christopher Isaiah Aiken ... born Sept. 18, 1984 (turns 27 during season) ... son of Patricia Calhoun ... mother, Patricia, is a high-school principal ... spent five years in the U.S. Army (Military Police) and served two tours of duty in Iraq prior to his enrollment at Blinn ... is the third Iraq war veteran to join the ASU football program following his military service, joining Marine Corps vets Wayne Norman (2005) and Brian Stokes (2005-06) ... majoring in criminal justice.