Curtis Lofton Curtis Tremayne Lofton ( born June 2 , 1986 ) is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Oklahoma , and earned All - American honors . He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft . Early years . 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 team in tackles with 168 his senior year and 505 over his career , his team won the 3A state championship in 2003 and advanced to semifinals in 2004 . Curtis was coached during high school , including his junior year where he led Kingfisher to its first and only state championship , by Rick Vancleave , Mark Redwine , Larry Hart , and Doug Jech . He rushed for 12 touchdowns as a senior . Was ranked No . 8 inside LB 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 ) . 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 competed on the basketball and track teams . He was an honors student and was coached during his final season by Jeff Myers . In high school and earlier years , Curtis readily identified himself as either " Black 40 " or " Big Dino . " College career . Lofton attended the University of Oklahoma , where he played for coach Bob Stoops ' Oklahoma Sooners football team from 2005 to 2007 . 2005 . He went to Oklahoma to play college football with the Oklahoma Sooners . 2006 . 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 . 2007 . 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 . Was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week by his performance against Utah State after recording 12 tackles and one interception which was returned 45 yards for a touchdown and also credited for 16 tackles and one pass defensed at Colorado . In the 2007 Big 12 Championship Game , Lofton picked off a Chase Daniel pass and returned it 26 yards to the Tiger 7 - yard line . The Sooner offense cashed in the takeaway with a touchdown to expand OU lead to 28 - 14 . The play tipped the momentum and Oklahoma cruised in with a 38 - 17 triumph . Lofton announced on January 14 , 2008 that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2008 NFL Draft . Professional career . Atlanta Falcons . Lofton was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft . Lofton became a starter in his rookie 2008 season and ranked fourth on the team with 94 tackles ( 67 solo ) . Since 2010 , Curtis Lofton led the team in tackles and had been an integral part of the defense . New Orleans Saints . Lofton signed with the New Orleans Saints on March 24 , 2012 with a 5 year deal , worth up to $ 27 . 5 million . Lofton led the Saints in tackles in the 2012 season ( 123 ) and also recorded one sack , two forced fumbles , and two fumble recoveries . He is expected to start at one of the ILB spots in the Saints 3 - 4 defense in the 2013 season .