Part of a strong linebacker corps that includes Khary Campbell and Garry Fisher...trio makes one of the best linebacker corps in the MAC...with extensive game action, could have his best campaign.
Weight room: Bench (345), squat (595), hang clean (320).
As a redshirt junior in 1999
Played in nine games ... despite limited playing time was tied for third on the team in sacks ... also forced a fumble...had two tackles for loss at Central Florida.
As a redshirt sophomore in 1998
Started all five of his games at middle linebacker ... started the last five contests of the season ... was seventh on the team in tackles despite seeing limited action in the early part of the year ... had at least one tackle in every game ... had 29 tackles in his starting assignments, including his high of 11 against Western Michigan.
As a redshirt freshman in 1997
Played in all 11 games in a limited role on defense and special teams ... did not earn a letter ... was credited with four tackles, all of those coming in the Northern Illinois game ... one of his four stops in the game was a sack ... also recovered a fumble in the Marshall game playing on defense.
St. Ignatius H.S.
Earned three letters for coach Chuck Kyle, helping the Wildcats to three consecutive Division I state titles ... shared Defensive Player of the Year honors (from Associated Press) in the state with Westerville South's Andy Katzenmoyer as a senior ... was also the Northeast District Player of the Year and the top player in his area as picked by the Cleveland Plain Dealer ... was credited with 168 tackles as a senior, 101 of those solos ... also had nine sacks and 25 tackles for loss ... helped the team to the #1 ranking in the state and in the prep poll by ESPN ... were the #2 team in the country in the USA Today poll ... selected to participate in the Ohio North-South all-star game and the Big 33 contest ... was credited with 105 tackles as a junior, 67 solos.
Personal
An interpersonal communication major ... son of Charles and Lora Della Vella ... born June 11, 1978.
Della Vella's Career Scorecard
Year Solo Ast. Total TFL Int. PBU FR
1999 10 3 13 2/5 0 1 0
1998 29 16 45 1/6 0 0 0
1997 3 1 4 1/7 0 0 1
1996 REDSHIRTED
Career 42 20 62 4/18 0 1 1
