UTAH: Arizona graduate transfer played one season at Utah … after a career spent at linebacker, moved to fullback in the fourth game of 2017. 2017–Played in 11 games with one start … made 10 appearances at fullback and three at linebacker … started at fullback against Washington State … one rush (no yards) and two receptions for nine yards and a touchdown … three tackles included 1.0 TFL.
PRIOR TO UTAH: Spent five seasons at Arizona, playing in 2012, 2014 and 2016 while missing the 2013 and 2015 seasons with injuries … played in 27 games with 11 starts … 80 tackles in Arizona career included 10.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks … also had two fumble recoveries … played in the first six games in 2016—starting five—and had 28 tackles (4.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and two fumble recoveries before a season-ending injury … selected as a captain for games against Utah and Grambling State … played in 14 games with six starts in 2014 and had 52 tackles, 6.5 TFL and a sack … career-high nine tackles against Arizona State … played in seven games on special teams and as a backup linebacker as a true freshman in 2012 … named to the Arizona Republic All-Arizona team as a senior at Chaparral HS … also named first team Arizona Football Coaches’ Association all-state Division II, first-team All-Arizona Division II and first-team all-Tribune defense in 2011 … all-region as a high school junior … 186 career tackles ranked sixth in Chaparral history and 122 tackles as a senior was the school’s fifth-best single-season total ever … 18 tackles for loss, two sacks, four passes defended, a blocked field goal, forced fumble and fumble recovery as a senior … rushed 25 times 248 yards and three touchdowns and caught three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown in 2011 … as a junior, recorded 65 tackles, five tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, a sack and one forced fumble … Chaparral won state championships from 2009-11.
PERSONAL: Son of Jerry Ippolito and Lisa Smith … one brother … bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis in sports and society from Arizona.