Veteran special-teams stalwart is expected to be back at 100 percent after recovering from a thigh injury that cost him the final eight games of last season ... is a tenacious blocker who also adds valuable depth to the Mountaineers up front as a blocking tight end.

2010: Appeared in five games of the season before suffering a thigh injury that cost him the rest of the campaign ... recorded first tackle of his career on special teams at Western Carolina.

2009: Saw action in 12 games, primarily on special teams ... did not record any statistics.

2008: Appeared in the final six games of the season, beginning with the Halloween night throttling of Wofford at Kidd Brewer Stadium ... played on special teams, but did not register any statistics.

2007: Redshirted.

High School: A two-time all-county and all-conference performer ... earned all-state recognition from NCPreps.com following his junior and senior campaigns ... led the team in tackles both years ... coached by Steve Millard ... also lettered in track and field.

Personal: Full name is Phillip Kettrell Strickland ... born May 1, 1989 (22 years old) ... son of Sharon and Kettrell Strickland and Lisa and Robert Turlington ... majoring in health promotion with a minor in exercise science.