BOONEVILLE, Miss. – Former Northeast Tiger Mario Addison has adjusted to his new surroundings quite nicely.
In his first game as an Indianapolis Colts, Addison recorded five tackles in a 31-24 loss to the New England Patriots.
Addison has made a quick impact on his new club. With his five total tackles (one solo and four assists), Addison bypassed 16 Colts on the defensive tackle chart in his first game with the organization.
Addison, a 6-3 252-pound defensive end, will next help lead the Colts against Joe Flacko and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 11 at 1 p.m. EST
Addison appeared in four games for the Chicago Bears earlier in the season against the New Orleans Saints on September 18, Minnesota Vikings on October 16, Detroit Lions on November 13 and San Diego Chargers on November 20 before being placed on waivers in late November.
Earlier this year, Addison survived the final round of cuts by the Bears to become just one of five undrafted rookie free agents on the Bears 53-man roster when Chicago opened the season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 11.
Addison, who agreed to a deal with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League(NFL) on Tuesday, July 26, made the most of his preseason opportunity with the National Football Conference (NFC) North champions.
In four preseason games, Addison recorded seven tackles from his defensive end position and drew a start in Chicago's final preseason contest against the Cleveland Browns where the former Northeast Tiger notched four total tackles.
During the four-game preseason, Addison came away with at least a tackle in every game including stops against the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
Addison donned the black and gold for a pair of seasons in Booneville.
During the 2007 season, the Northeast sophomore appeared in nine games for the Tigers registering 60 tackles including 45 solo stops.
Addison led the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) in tackles for loss recording 21.5 TFLs for 68 yards and had 3.5 sacks his sophomore year.
In his final season with the Tigers, Addison also was credited with a pass break-up and two forced fumbles.
Addison made an impact his first year at Northeast registering 46 total tackles and 26 solo stops while being a force behind the line for the Tigers with 10 tackles for loss accounting for 53.5 yards.
During his freshman year in Booneville, Addison also had four sacks, two forced fumbles, a pair of interceptions – including one that was returned for a touchdown.
Addison parlayed his play at Northeast into a scholarship with the Troy University Trojans where after being redshirted during the 2008 season, the Birmingham, Ala., native came on the national scene.
Addison appeared in 13 games for the Trojans during the 2009 season registering 32 total tackles including 15 unassisted stops and six tackles for loss.
However, it was during his final season in Troy, Ala., that Addison put on a show for the Trojan fans.
In just 12 games, Addison recorded 47 total tackles – 35 solos – but registered 15.5 tackles for loss and forced three fumbles and recovered one.
During his senior season, Addison also was credited for 10.5 sacks – nine solos – that accounted for 50 yards.