Adds depth as the primary backup at the tight end position .... The team's best blocking tight end ... Used primarily on special teams and in blocking situations ... Coaching staff is counting on him to provide leadership to the team ... Smart player who plays hard and gives everything he has on the field ... Enjoyed a healthy 2005, after being plagued by injuries in his first two seasons ... Came to Southern Miss as a tight end in 2002, moved to defensive line in 2003, before moving back to tight end last season ... Conference USA Academic Medalist ... Awarded the 2005 New Orleans Bowl Scholar Athlete Award ... Athletic Director's Honor Roll ... 2005 (r-Jr.): Played in 11 games ... Used in a season-high 31 plays against McNeese State (9/17) ... Saw action in 20 plays at Alabama (9/10) ... Caught his first career pass against McNeese State on a nine-yard reception ... Had an assist against Alabama (9/10) and made a solo tackle against Tulane (11/26) ... 2004 (r-So.): Saw action in nine games ... Played in more than 70 snaps, including a season-best 14 against East Carolina (10/23) and Cincinnati (11/6) ... Used in double tight end situations ... Participated in 10 plays against Cal (12/4) ... Had two kickoff returns against Memphis (11/12) ... Recorded a season-long kickoff return of 10 yards against Memphis (11/12) ... 2003 (r-Fr.): Played in five games and had three tackles on the year as a defensive end ... Saw action in a season-high eight plays against Louisiana-Lafayette (11/1) ... Finished that game with three tackles, two of which were unassisted ... 2002 (Fr.): Redshirted ... Prep: Played for Coach Mike Owens at Lee High School ... Three-year letterwinner and started three-years ... Finished with 24 catches for 238 yards, scored five touchdowns and scored three two-point conversions for his career ... As a sen-ior, he finished with six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown as a tight end ... Had 14 tackles, three assists, one sack, and two forced fumbles as a defensive tackle his senior year ... For his career, he finished with 68 tackles and eight sacks ... A first-team all-district selection at both tight end and defensive tackle ... An honorable-mention all-state honoree by the Texas Sportswriters at tight end ... Four-star rating and among the top 20 tight ends in the nation by Max Emfinger's Blue Chip Recruiting ... A three-star rating and 59th best defensive end by Borderwars.com ... Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine Top-300 ... Team captain ... Voted team's outstanding defen-sive lineman ... Led his team to the second round of the playoffs all three years ... In the top 10 of his class ... National Honor Society ... Fellowship of Christian Athletes ... Named to the 5A Football Academic All-State Second-Team ... Finished as a semifinalist for the Texas Christian Athlete of the Year ... U.S. Army Scholar Athlete ... Personal: Son of Ricky and Frances Palmer ... Majoring in speech communication ... Born July 11, 1983.