Curtis Lofton

Curtis Tremayne Lofton (born June 2, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, earning All-American honors. Lofton was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders.

Lofton was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He attended Kingfisher High School, where he was a standout player for the Kingfisher Yellowjackets high school football team. A three-year letterman and starter, he also played fullback. He led his team in tackles with 168 during his senior year and 505 over his career, helping lead his team to the 3A state championship in 2003 and helping them advance to the semifinals in 2004. Curtis was coached during high school, including his junior year where he led Kingfisher to its first state championship, by Rick Vancleave, Stan Blundell, Mark Redwine, Larry Hart, and Doug Jech. He rushed for 12 touchdowns as a senior. Lofton was a Parade first-team All-American (2004), The Oklahoman All-State (2004), first-team coaches All-state 2004 and also nominated for the March of Dimes Oklahoma Headliners Banquet as one of the top scholar-athletes in the state of Oklahoma.

Lofton also competed on the track & field team, where he was a 100-meter dash state runner up, running a personal-best of 10.73 seconds, and was also a starter on the basketball team.

Lofton was ranked as the No. 8 inside linebacker in the nation (ESPN.com), No. 2 in the Midlands (SuperPrep and Scout.com), No. 9 linebacker in the nation (Scout.com), No. 2 player in Oklahoma (Scout.com), No. 4 inside LB in the nation (Rivals.com) and No. 62 player in the nation (Rivals.com). He went to Oklahoma to play college football with the Sooners.

Lofton attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played for coach Bob Stoops's Oklahoma Sooners football team from 2005 to 2007.

Lofton saw spot duty at middle linebacker, but got most of his action on the Sooners' special teams.

Lofton totaled five tackles and one tackle for loss in the 2006 Big 12 Championship Game against Nebraska . He closed out the year with four solo tackles and a 14-yard kickoff return against Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl he also recovered a fumble and was ranked second on the team in special teams tackles with 10. He finished the season with 14 games played and recorded 37 tackles (20 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

Lofton earned first-team All-American honors from The NFL Draft Report, Football Writers Association of America, Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News adding second-team accolades from the Associated Press. He totaled 157 tackles, which ranked third in the nation, three interceptions, 10 tackles for loss and one sack while compiling eight games of at least 10 tackles, and added first-team All-Big 12 Conference recognition from the league coaches and was selected as the Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. His 11.2 tackles per game ranked seventh nationally and second in the conference.