As a senior at Orlando, Fla. Cypress Creek High School, Jammie Kirlew was voted one of the state's top 100 prospects by the Orlando Sentinel.

But while he earned second-team all-state honors at defensive end and tight end, at 217 pounds, Kirlew was considered undersized and did not draw much recruiting interest from the in-state powers.

With only four offers on the table, Kirlew opted to head north to Big Ten country and accepted a scholarship to Indiana.

Four years, and 50 pounds later, Kirlew has developed into one of the most feared pass-rushers not only in the conference, but in the country as well.

His 18.5 tackles for loss leads the Big Ten and is second nationally, and with 10.5 sacks, Kirlew trails only Aaron Maybin for the league lead.

But before the season, Kirlew wasn't the Hoosier projected to be wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. Fellow end Greg Middleton registered 16 sacks as a sophomore last season on his way to earning first-team all-Big Ten honors.

But when Middleton was suspended for the season-opener, Kirlew became Indiana's main pass-rushing threat and registered two sacks in that game.

Since then, Kirlew's game has, according to coach Bill Lynch, improved each week.

"Every game, when I get a sack, I get more confidence," Kirlew said. "I learn from my mistakes and experiences."

Currently in the middle of a six-game sack streak, Kirlew was named to the Hendricks Award watch list Tuesday.

The Hendricks Award is given annually to the nation's top defensive end.

Kirlew was productive last season, finishing with 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, but Lynch said the amount of work Kirlew put in during the offseason is starting to translate into increased production on the field.

What makes him even more impressive, Lynch said, is Kirlew's versatility.

Not only does he lead the team in sacks and tackles for loss, but he's also second on the squad with 58 tackles, a rarity for a defensive lineman.

"Jammie has had an unbelievable year for us. It's a great credit to a guy who has really, really worked hard," Lynch said of the Hendricks nomination. "He's been a good player but he worked extremely hard and was determined from day one and it's shown on the field, not only the numbers, but the effort and the way he's played and the toughness. I'm happy for him because he really has played well."

Kirlew said his weight training is what has made the biggest difference.

Playing around 255 pounds last season, he said he had to rely mainly on technique and moves to get to the quarterback.

But now that he's tacked on an extra 10 pounds of muscle, he said he's able to just go right at blockers.

"Every week I get a different offensive lineman so a move that worked last week might not work on him.

"But a move I used two or three weeks ago might work on him," Kirlew said. "And sometimes if a move doesn't work out like I want to, I can just use my strength and power through it."

While the accolades and award lists are nice, they also mean Kirlew's success is no longer a secret.

He's seen more and more double teams as offensive coordinators have game planned to stop him and, in turn, keep their quarterbacks safe.

But Kirlew said he doesn't mind the added attention. It's just another challenge and another way to test his skill, he said.

Besides, when gameday comes, there's one thing Kirlew enjoys more than anything, and for a defensive end it couldn't be much simpler.

"I just love the opportunity to get out there and rush," he said. "And hopefully I can get there."