2015 (Senior): Played in 10 games with a pair of starts along the defensive line including at home against Presbyterian (Oct. 2) and Furman (Nov. 7) ... Finished with four tackles including matching a career-best with two at VMI (Nov. 21) ... Had half a tackle for loss in the home win over Furman ... Named to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
2014 (Junior): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games, twice starting along the defensive line against both Chattanooga and Samford … Recorded five tackles with three solo stops and half a tackle for loss … Recorded a career-high two tackles against Chattanooga (Nov. 1) … Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll … Playing for the Gold squad, recorded two tackles in WCU’s annual Spring Game.
2013 (Sophomore): Saw action in 11 of Western Carolina's 12 seasonal games as a reserve on the defensive line and on special teams ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Middle Tennessee State, tallying a tackle assist ... Credited with two tackles on the year including a solo stop at Samford ... Missed WCU's annual Spring Game due to illness.
2012 (Freshman): Did not see game action.
Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year All-Central Carolina Conference selection ... Earned All-County and was tabbed the offensive player of the year runner-up as a senior ... Named to the East-West All-Star game ... Also threw the shot put in track & field as a prep, earning all-conference in the event as a sophomore and junior.
Personal: Full name is Avery Dylan Sluder ... Is the son of Darrell and Christy Sluder ... Has one younger sibling, Drake ... Was born in Buffalo, N.Y.
