98 DAYS TO 2016 KICKOFF: Craig Settles Jr.

NOTE: Today is actually 97 days until kickoff, but since I didn't post yesterday and there currently is not a #97 on the roster because Demonte Hood transferred, I'll just fudge things today. Regular scheduling will resume tomorrow.

Craig Steven Settles Jr. (b. Jan. 23, 1994) is a late community college signee who saw limited action as a junior in 2015. In the wake of Travis Britz's graduation, Settles will compete for a starting spot at defensive tackle as a senior.

Settles played in two games last season. He had his first career sack at Kansas and saw action in a majority of the 2016 AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Arkansas, recording three tackles. He started for the White team this spring.

Prior to redshirting during a year off in 2014, Settles played the 2012 and 2013 seasons at Pasadena City College under head coach Fred Fimbres. He totaled 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks in his two-year career.

Settles tallied 28 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks as a sophomore in 2013, when he earned Southern California Football Association (SCFA) second-team All-Northern Conference honors.

But he had little Power Five interest until at least a month after National Signing Day, when it became apparent that his decision to take a year off from football to redshirt and focus on his academics was going to pay off after all.

Nor was this his first break from football. He played two seasons for the Herbert Hoover High School Tornadoes under head coach Chris Long, but elected not to go out for varsity football in either his junior or senior years.

Nevertheless, Settles was selected to play in the Hall of Fame All-Star Game following his senior year in 2012.

His father, Craig Settles Sr., also was an All-American, but in wrestling, at San Francisco State University.