Meet 'The Shark': 4-Star LB Jeffrey McCulloch Earning His Nickname, Big Offers

It all started as a joke.

Jeffrey McCulloch and his Davis High School teammates and friends were watching videos of game film. McCulloch, a 4-star linebacker, made a jarring hit on an opposing player.

And then another one. And another one. And another. Every play finishing with the same result: McCulloch racing full speed to a quarterback or running back and appearing to make a tackle with the impact of a minor car crash.

And then, McCulloch said, one of his teammates—2015 defensive back Kenneth Lathan, the one McCulloch called "the jokester of the team"—said something matter-of-factly that's happened to become something of a budding phenomenon.

"He said, "Man, you're out there like a shark," McCulloch said. "I would always run down the field, always going forward. Before the quarterback would get the pass off, I was hitting him."

"It was funny, because the team we were playing was in red. What do they say about sharks smelling blood?"

"

FOR NOW ON CALL ME "SHARK" AND SHARK ONLY I WILL NO LONGER RESPOND TO JEFF OR JEFFREY 

— The Shark (@jd_veintitres) February 26, 2015"

The nickname stuck. And now, "The Shark" is preparing for the spring, the upcoming 2015 regular season at Davis and the future—college football. He's the No. 78 player in 247Sports' composite rankings and the No. 6 outside linebacker in the nation.

At 6'2" and 230 pounds, McCulloch is the type of outside linebacker every coach wants. He's a strong, physical athlete who plays each down as if it was his last. McCulloch added that he's been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.48 seconds.

Imagine a player with his size and aggressiveness running full speed into an unsuspecting player.

Shark tactics.

"I just try to be an aggressive pass rusher who can cover anybody down the field," McCulloch said. "Honestly, I didn't think [the nickname] would stick. I thought it was just us being silly at first. Then after a while, I heard teammates saying it, then friends were saying it, then teachers were saying it."

Angel Verdejo of the Houston Chronicle told Bleacher Report that McCulloch recorded 59 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his junior year. Of those 59 tackles, 18.5 were tackles for loss. He also has eight batted passes and six pass breakups, showing off his coverage skills.

Because of his play, McCulloch has landed over 20 offers and could be at 30-plus by the end of the spring. And because of his nickname, he's also been able to get some pretty cool social media edits from fans of schools interested.

McCulloch said he has a top-seven list of schools but has chosen to keep the list a secret until the spring. Currently, 247Sports has Texas, LSU, Alabama, Oregon, Michigan and Auburn as potential destinations for him. Auburn was his last offer.

"Everything is just crazy right now," he said. "My head is on a constant spin every day, but I'm just taking it day by day."

Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Baylor and Arkansas also should be considered in the running for McCulloch. He went to Texas A&M's junior day last month. On Saturday, McCullouch will be at Texas' junior day. He camped at Texas last summer.

And what will the winning school get, aside from a player who thrives on living up to his nickname?

"Whoever gets The Shark will get someone who'll play for four years and carry on the name of the program hopefully in the NFL," McCulloch said. "Some of the coaches are saying I have next-level talent and talent after that. I try to be explosive and a player who can do it all—play safety, outside linebacker, middle linebacker, defensive end, whatever."

"I just try to be relentless. I'll never stop until we have a championship. Multiple championships."

It's the perfect attitude to have for an athlete on a mission, a shark looking to make an impact in bigger waters.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles