37  Matt Barella
	Class: Senior Hometown: Centennial, Colo. High School: Arapahoe Height / Weight: 6-2 / 228 Position: Outside Linebacker

UW This Season: Matt Barella is expected to step into a starting role at linebacker as he enters his senior season of 2009. Barella will take over at the "Buck", outside linebacker, spot. He is one of only three projected new starters on a Cowboy defense that ranked No. 38 in the nation in total defense a year ago. Barella takes over for Mike Juergens, who signed an NFL free-agent contract with the Carolina Panthers following his senior season. Although Barella missed 2009 spring drills due to offseason shoulder surgery, he gained valuable experience in `08.

2008: Barella played in eight games for the Cowboys but missed four games due to ongoing shoulder problems. His best games in `08 were versus BYU and TCU, making two tackles in each game. Barella missed much of 2008 spring practice due to injury. He entered his junior season as the backup to Mike Juergens at the "Buck", outside-linebacking position.

2007: Barella appeared in seven games in `07, primarily on special teams. He was credited with one assisted tackle on the year -- that came against Utah.

2006: He earned a football scholarship at Wyoming in the spring of 2006 after walking on to the team in the fall of `05. He appeared in seven games as a redshirt freshman. He forced one fumble on the season and was credited with one solo tackle -- both versus TCU.

2005: Redshirted.

High School: Barella was named Second Team All-State Class 5A his senior year at Arapahoe High School. He earned his team's "Strike Award," which is given to the top tackler each season at Arapahoe. As a team captain, Barella helped lead Arapahoe to a 10-2 record his senior season and the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. Not only was he an outstanding football player, but he achieved Honorable Mention All-State honors in baseball his senior season. Barella was a three-year letterman in football and baseball and lettered one season in wrestling. During his three years on the football team, he was part of teams that posted a 24-10 (.706) record. He played for head football coach Mike Campbell at Arapahoe High School.

Personal: Born Jan. 10, 1987, he is the son of Dona and Scott Barella. Barella was also recruited by Colorado State and Colorado. He is majoring in business administration.