The 2011 Scouting Report: Begins his fourth season as a reserve outside linebacker ... Battling for a spot on the depth chart ... Also will play a role with NU's special teams.

2010: Reserve linebacker ... Played in two games.

2009: Played in three games ... One tackle vs. Eastern Michigan and a career-best two stops against Towson.

2008: Did not see action.

High School: PrepStar All-Region linebacker ... SCISA Defensive Player of the Year for 2007 ... 3AAA all-state and all-region player ... Totaled 161 tackles in 13 games as a senior ... Also had 20 TFL's, nine sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception ... As a junior, had 120 tackles, 15 TFL's, three sacks and one forced fumble ... Registered single-game career highs of 21 tackles, three sacks and four TFL's ... Helped lead the Skyhawks to back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007 ... Hammond went unbeaten (13-0) in 2006 and 12-1 in 2007 ... Invited to play in the SCISA Oasis Shrine Bowl ... Team captain ... Also lettered one year in basketball and track ... Honor Roll all four years ... Coached by Erik Kimrey.

Personal: Born Stone Michael Pinckney ... Son of Sharon Pinckney and Michael Pinckney ... Theatre major.

The Pinckney File

Q: Name five favorite songs (and artist) on your I-Pod:
A: Rebel -- Lecrae; If You're Tryin' You Ain't -- Toby Kieth; Boombox -- The Lonely Island; I'm Only Jesus -- Tim McGraw; T.N.T -- AC/DC
Q: If you could dine with anyone from any period in history, who would it be and why?
A: Martin Luther King Jr. because he sacrificed so much for others, and I wouldn't be where I am today without him.
Q: What is the greatest lesson in life that you have learned?
A: Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Q: A song that best describes you and why?
A: I Use What I Got by Jason Aldean. It's about pushing through and keeping your dreams alive. Listen to it.
Q: Something people would be surprised to know about me is:
A: I'm a member of an on-campus improv group called Titanic Players.
Q: My favorite place to visit is and why?
A: Columbia, S.C. Because my family and some of my closest friends are there, I don't get to see them much anymore so every time I visit it's special.
Q: Which current NU football player is the biggest jokester on the team and why?
A: Quentin Davie
Q: My favorite thing about NU is and why?
A: All the great friends I've made
Q: Best part about being a Northwestern football player is:
A: The family we have
Q: Describe Coach Fitzgerald in five words or less:
A: Passionate, Motivating, Caring, Winner
Q: Describe your position coach in five words or less:
A: Funny, Intelligent, Honest
Q: Most humbling experience:
A: Winter quarter freshman year
Q: The best book I have ever read is and why?
A: My Losing Season by Pat Conroy
Q: The person that inspires me the most is:
A: My mom
Q: When I played football as a kid, I pretended to be:
A: Emmitt Smith
Q: My favorite pregame ritual is:
A: Team Prayer
Q: If you could have a starring role in any film already made, which movie would you pick and why?
A: Hancock, because Will Smith stars in it, and it's an action movie with Super Heroes. I love Super Heroes.
Q: My favorite food is:
A: Filet Mignon
Q: My favorite thing about playing at Ryan Field is:
A: The crowd.
Q: Best thing about Northwestern is:
A: The beautiful campus.
Q: My favorite television show is and why?
A: The Office, because it's hilarious and so well-written with great actors.