AnthonyWajda

Hopes to bounce back with a strong senior year after an up-and-down junior season ? Finished the spring at the starter at free safety as he contends with Quentus Cumby ? Good height and jumping ability make it hard for receivers to get to the ball ? Has played in 29 games, starting 12.

2000 (Junior): Played in seven games and started the first two games of the season ? Made 23 tackles ? Got the team?s first interception of the season with a pickoff and 17-yard return against South Florida.

1999 (Sophomore): Remarkable season began as a reserve and ended as a second-team All-SEC selection by the league?s coaches … Played in all 11 games, starting the last 10 … Got his chance to start at free safety when Willie Gary moved to strong safety following the season opener … Rapidly emerged as a big-play performer … Garnered seven turnover plays during the season with five interceptions and two fumble recoveries … Ranked third in the SEC and 20th nationally in interceptions per game … His pickoffs against Connecticut and LSU set up touchdowns and his pick vs. Arkansas preceded a field goal … Broke open a close game at South Carolina when he scooped up a fumble and returned it for a TD … Named CNN/SI ?Unsung Hero of the Week? and SEC Defensive Player of the Week following the win over LSU when he made two interceptions, a pass breakup on the goal line, and led the team in tackles with eight … Contributed a turnover play in four of UK?s six wins during the season … Totaled 68 tackles, tied for second on the team, and had a season high of eight in four games … Also contributed eight tackles in the Music City Bowl

1998 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games on special teams and as a reserve free safety … Totaled 15 tackles, including a season-high of four at Louisville and at Arkansas … Had a pass breakup vs. Eastern Kentucky.

High School: Three-year starter at free safety for Trinity HS in Louisville … First-team all-state as a senior by the Louisville Courier-Journal … Named to the Lexington Herald-Leader ?Class of the Commonwealth? … Honorable-mention All-America by USA Today … Made 15 interceptions during his career, including seven as a senior … Started the Kentucky-Tennessee High School All-Star Game … Two-year choice on the All-Jefferson County team … Helped his team win 11 games each of his last two seasons, going to the state final four in 1996 and the state championship game in 1997 … Coached by Chuck Servino … Three-year letterman in track, competing in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles … Won state 110-meter high hurdles and place in 300-meter hurdles and 4×100-meter relay … Regional champion in the 110 as a junior and placed fourth in the state meet … Chose UK over Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, and Michgan State.

Personal: Full name is Anthony John Wajda … Born 9-28-79 in Chicago. Ill. … Son of Robert and Maurine Wajda … Major is management.

The Cats? Cause: Celebrity reader for the Read Across America school campaign (1998-99) … Visited patients at the Veterans? Hospital (1998-99) … Celebrity waiter at the Leukemia Luncheon (2001).

Wajda Career Statistics

Year PositionG-GSTackles PBUInt.-Yds.FCFR1998Free Safety11-01510001999Free Safety11-106835-98022000Free Safety7-22301-1700Totals29-1210646-11502

Wajda Game-by-Game Statistics

1999OpponentTacklesPBUInt.Louisville200Connecticut701Indiana500Florida810Arkansas801South Carolina500Louisiana State812Georgia700Missisippi St.411Vanderbilt800Tennessee600Totals6835Syracuse800(Music City Bowl)

2000OpponentTacklesPBUInt.Louisville700South Florida401IndianaDNPFlorida000Ole MissDNPSouth CarolinaDNPLouisiana StateDNPGeorgia100Mississippi State700Vanderbilt300Tennessee100Totals2301