Year at WKU: 3, Year in CFB: 6, Eligibility Remaining: 1
2020 (r-Sr.) | 11/0: Staples began the season as a running back, scoring a touchdown in his return to Louisville on Sept. 12. Overall, he had seven carries for 22 yards out of the backfield. By the end of the campaign, he moved back to the linebacker room and had five tackles – including one for loss – in the LendingTree Bowl vs. Georgia State. On the year, he had four other tackles on special teams coverage units. He will retain his redshirt senior year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019 (r-Jr.) 13/2: Staples appeared in all 13 games for the Hilltoppers as a linebacker, including two starts. He made 19 total tackles (five solo, 14 assisted), including a career-high five tackles on Sept. 7 at FIU.
Before WKU: Staples went to Louisville, where he appeared in 20 games and registered nine tackles in two seasons. As a freshman in 2016, he had a career-high two tackles on Oct. 1 at Clemson.
HS/Misc.: Staples played for Mark Fleetwood at Peachtree Ridge HS. He was rated a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, 24/7Sports and Scout.com, which rated him the No. 77 running back in the nation and the No. 7 running back in the state of Georgia. Staples ranked as the No. 73 running back by ESPN.com. He rushed for 802 yards and 11 touchdowns in his prep career, including 415 yards and six touchdowns, while recording one 100-yard game as a senior. Staples rushed for 294 yards and five scores as a junior and totaled 17 stops on defense. He also received offers from Oregon State and Colorado State.
