A sixth-round selection out of North Dakota State, the hard-hitting Joe Mays impressed in the preseason and will work in as the backup MIKE linebacker in 2008. An All-America selection as a senior in 2007, led Division I-AA North Dakota State with a career-high 90 tackles, 9 TFLs and 2.5 sacks, en route to being named the Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

BIRDSEED:

• Was drafted by the Eagles, graduated from ND State, and found out he was having a son all in the same week. "The Eagles are my favorite team too. It was a very good week." He heard he was having a son the day he reported to Eagles mini-camp and said, "He's going to be a football player. He'll hit before he can walk."

PERSONAL:

• He and wife, LaToyia, gave birth to a baby boy on 9/8/08 named Jai (pronounced Jay) Jevon Mays. The couple also has a daughter, Joi (pronounced Joy) who was born on 11/18/04
• Is the son of Renice Mays and Charles Williams. Also has three sisters and two brothers
• His favorite music is Rap and R&B, but he says "Going to school in Fargo, you can't help but listen to country. Even while you lift in the weight room the country music is blaring."
• His favorite player is Donovan McNabb as they share the same birthplace, Chicago, IL
• Wants to get into coaching when his playing days are over. "Being around the coaches that I had, made me want to turn around and teach others."
• A first-team all-city selection as a senior at Hyde Park HS, recorded 115 tackles, 16 sacks and 2 INTs. Also earned first-team all-conference honors in his junior and senior years, despite never playing football before his junior year
• Earned a degree physical education
• Full name: Joseph Lamont Mays

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS:
An All-America selection as a senior in 2007, led Division I-AA North Dakota State with a career-high 90 tackles, 9 TFLs and 2.5 sacks, en route to being named the Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. A three-time first-team All-Great West selection, played in 43 games (31 starts) and recorded 285 tackles, a school-record 159 solo tackles, 29.5 TFLs, 11 sacks and 3 INTs in his collegiate career.