The reason the Pirates have been successful in recent years has been the play of their defensive, led by the unheralded Kendall Langford. During his freshman year, Hampton ranked 58th in the nation in total defense (251.17 yards per game), but improved to sixth nationally in 2005 (270.92 ypg) and 15th in the Division 1-AA ranks in '06 (271.5 ypg).

Langford led Hampton in both sacks and tackles for losses as a sophomore and junior, when Hampton had success stopping the run. His dominance against the ground game stands out in his performances. In 234 running plays going directly at Langford during his career, the opposition managed only 63 yards, an average of 0.27 yards per attempt. In 47 games with the Pirates, the opposing team has produced just seven first-down runs on plays directed at Langford.

At Petersburg High School, Langford earned first-team All-District and second-team All-Metro and All-Region honors as a senior. He also added All-District first-team accolades during his junior campaign, competing as a defensive lineman.

Because of Hampton's lofty academic reputation, Langford decided to enroll at the university in 2004. Lining up at right defensive tackle as a true freshman, he earned Freshman All-American honors from the Gridiron Report. He appeared in all 12 games, forcing his way into the starting lineup for three of the team's final four contests.

That year, he made 44 tackles (15 solo), as he finished second on the squad with 4 ½ sacks and 11 ½ stops for losses. He was credited with seven quarterback pressures, a pass deflection and a blocked kick. He recovered a fumble that he returned 30 yards for a touchdown and also caused two fumbles.

Langford shifted to left defensive end as a sophomore, garnering All-Mid Eastern Athletic Conference first-team honors. He started every game for a squad that ranked second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 14 points per game. He totaled 65 tackles (31 solo) and led the team with 15 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He posted 4 ½ sacks, 12 pressures and three forced fumbles. He batted away two passes and blocked a pair of kicks.

As a junior, Langford again earned All-MEAC first-team honors, in addition to being named an All-American by The NFL Draft Report and the Sheridan Broadcasting Network. He moved to right defensive end in the team's new 3-4 alignment, finishing third on the team with 55 tackles (32 solo). He led a defense that ranked sixth nationally in scoring defense (14.5 points per game allowed), pacing the Pirates with eight sacks and 15 ½ stops for losses. He was credited with eight pressures and two forced fumbles while blocking a kick and deflecting one pass.

In 2007, offenses made it a point to steer clear of Langford. Still, he managed to lead the team with a career-high 72 tackles (32 solo), ranking second on the squad with six sacks, 13 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage and 12 pressures in 11 games. He caused two fumbles, batted away a pass and returned an interception for a touchdown. He also blocked a field goal.

In 47 games at Hampton, Langford started 38 contests, including 35 as a defensive end. He recorded 236 tackles (110 solo) with 23 ½ sacks for minus-175 yards, 56 ½ stops for losses of 266 yards and 39 quarterback pressures. He caused nine fumbles and recovered another for a 30-yard touchdown return. He also deflected five passes, returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown and was in on five of the 33 blocked kicks that Hampton produced during his four years with the team.

Positives: Has a big build, with wide waist and hips, broad shoulders, thick calves and thighs … Has the valid speed to play off the edge, but also shows the lower-body power to anchor and split double teams when lined up at defensive tackle … Smooth open-field runner with good body control and balance on the move … Quick to redirect in-line and has the running stride to chase down running backs in the second level … As a rush end, he keeps his pad level down to make plays working down the line … Plays until the whistle and gives solid effort throughout every play … When he gets that "fire in his belly," he can completely dominate a game (see 2007 Morgan State, Delaware State, Norfolk State and Florida A&M contests and 2006 Howard, Morgan State, Norfolk State, Bethune-Cookman and New Hampshire games) … Has the initial step and reach to get into the blocker's chest to stack and control … Has enough functional strength to control his side of the football in one-on-one situations, as he can hold ground at the point of attack and clog rush lanes … Plays with good leverage and, when he recovers off the initial block, he has the loose hips to redirect and work his way down the line … When he sets with a heavy anchor, he can control his man due to his ability to bend his knees and play with leverage … When he keeps his hands inside his frame, he is much more effective in attempts to recoil and reset quickly … His best hand move is his swim move to slip past blocks on the pass rush … When he shoots his hands with force, he will generally shock his opponent … For a player of his size, he does a very nice job of clearing his feet on the move … Gets through trash well due to his low pad level and is relentless chasing down ballcarriers inside the box … Has the loose hips to move from sideline to sideline and can make plays in long pursuit (see 2007 Morgan State, Delaware State and Norfolk State and 2006 Delaware State and Bethune-Cookman games) … Possesses good body control when changing direction, and is effective chasing from the backside … Has improved using his long reach to secure and drag down the opponent … Generates good lower-body power behind his hits and has made steady improvement keeping his feet to drive the lead blocker back through the rush lane … Because of his run-stuffing skills, Langford could shift to defensive tackle in a 4-3 alignment to take advantage of one of his better skills … Has short-area pursuit speed to give chase down the line and with his change-of-direction agility and field vision, he is quick to redirect and neutralize the cutback lanes … Developed a fluid spin move to clear the line of scrimmage and can generate pressure from the backside (see 2007 Howard, Delaware State and Norfolk State and 2006 Delaware State, Norfolk State and Bethune-Cookman games) … More of a bull rusher who might be better served as a tackle, as he does a good job of working on the offensive guard's edge … Has change-of-direction agility, combined with his knowledge of taking proper angles to generate good production pressuring the pocket … Uses his reach in attempts to dislodge the ball from the ballcarrier … His forward body lean and hip swerve let him deliver the spin move to slip off blockers and he shows good agility and balance in pursuit … Can penetrate the gaps and mash the pocket on a consistent basis.

Negatives: Lacks explosiveness off the snap, but uses his strength well to get through traffic, showing proper hand extension to keep blockers off his feet … Has the lower-body strength in his anchor vs. double teams, but he must show better faith in his hand placement to keep blockers off his body … Earlier in his career, he needed hard coaching, as he was not fond of the training room, but has matured over the years and takes pride in his captaincy … Has smaller-than-ideal hand size (eight inches), leading to problems in attempts to grab on to his opponent's jersey (has a tendency of not locking on when placing his hands on the blockers chest, giving up body surface coming off the snap) … Showed marked improvement in taking proper angles when shooting the inside gaps, but used to take a wide loop to compensate for a lack of explosion … Good at using his size to close down the backside, but is still developing a better feel for play action, as he will bite on them at times … Slow to shed when he fails to keep his hands active, but shows good urgency to close when he locates the ball, especially when he gets free from his initial blocker.

Compares To: TY WARREN-New England … Some scouts say Langford is more like Richard Seymour, but he is more than likely to play outside in a 3-4 alignment than to line up at under tackle. Langford is a dominant run stuffer who still needs to develop more pass-rush moves, but he has the size to clog rush lanes. He must develop better hand punch to help him combat isolated blocks and lacks ideal explosion to be much of an edge rusher, but like Warren, his ability to play a variety of roles and positions up front will help him earn a spot in a team's defensive rotation.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.94 in the 40-yard dash … 343-pound bench press … 575-pound squat … 435-pound power clean … 30.5-inch vertical jump … 33 ½-inch arm length … 8-inch hands … Right-handed … 17/33 Wonderlic score.

Attended Petersburg (Va.) High School, playing football for head coach Remus J. James … Earned first-team All-District and second-team All-Metro and All-Region honors as a senior … Added All-District first-team accolades during his junior campaign, competing as a defensive lineman.

Sports Management major … Son of Ardee and Calvin Langford … Born 1/27/86 … Resides in Petersburg, Virginia.