Greg Romeus Greg Romeus ( born April 29 , 1988 ) is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League . He played as a defensive end for the Pittsburgh Panthers at the University of Pittsburgh . Romeus played football for just one year before entering college . During high school , he was considered a top college prospect in basketball . Early life . Romeus was born on April 29 , 1988 in Coral Springs , Florida to parents Sadrac and Fanie Romeus . He attended Coral Glades High School . He played basketball there and was considered a top college prospect . He played his only season of high school football during his senior year as a defensive end and wide receiver He recorded five receptions for 54 yards and one touchdown . Romeus was named the team ' s most valuable player and selected for the Broward County All - Star Game . College career . Romeus enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh where he is studying sociology . He sat out the 2006 season as on redshirt status . In 2007 , he saw action in all 12 games and recorded 41 tackle s . He ranked second on the team in tackles for loss with 11 . 5 and tied for second with four quarterback sack s . In an upset win in the Backyard Brawl rivalry game against West Virginia , he compiled four tackles and recovered one fumble . Romeus also recorded a sack against Pat White for a seven - yard loss on third down , which prevented a West Virginia comeback bid . That season , he was named a " College Football News " , Football Writers Association of America ( FWAA ) , " The Sporting News " , Rivals . com , and Scout . com freshman All - American . In 2008 , he recorded 51 tackles , including 26 solo , 15 . 5 tackles for loss , and 7 . 5 sacks . Romeus was named to the Second - team All - Big East Conference . He was also named a Rivals . com Second - team All - Big East , Phil Steele ' s Second - team All - Big East , and " College Football News " First - team All - Big East . ESPN named him the eighth - best player in the Big East Conference . He was selected as the Big East Co - Defensive Player of the Year along with teammate Mick Williams in 2009 . He finished the regular season playing 12 games making 40 tackles ( 10 . 5 for losses ) and 8 sacks . He also intercepted a pass , forced 2 fumbles , recovered one , broke up four passes , had 11 hurries and blocked a kick . In April 2010 , Romeus was placed on the watch list for the upcoming season ' s Lott Trophy awarded to country ' s top defensive player . Heading into the 2010 season , Romeus was also listed by the " Sporting News " as a second - team preseason All - American . NFL Combine / College Pro Day . Outside of getting his basic measurements – height ( 6 ' 5 " ) , weight ( 264 lbs ) , arms ( 35 " ) , and hands ( 10 7 / 8 " ) – Romeus didn ' t participate in any of the other activities due to back and knee injuries . Pro career . New Orleans Saints . In the 2011 NFL draft , Romeus was selected with the 226th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints . Having been injured in college , he spent his rookie season on the injured reserve list . Romeus was again injured before the start of the 2012 NFL season , and after he cleared waivers , the Saints placed him on the injured reserve list on June 25 , 2012 .