Vernon Gholston
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[edit] Biography
Vernon Gholston was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 5, 1986. He was a top "Leo" or drop defensive end for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
[edit] High School
Coming out of high school at Cass Technical High School Vernon was recruited to play linebacker for the Buckeyes. His senior year he recorded 75 tackles, six sacks, and was an all-state offensive guard.
[edit] Freshmen Year
Upon arriving at Ohio State Gholston was shifted to defensive end and quickly showed a grasp and the ability to handle the new position. With a lack of depth at the position and his speedy progression, Vernon soon found himself number two on the defensive end depth chart behind Mike Kudla and he made his collegiate debut as a true freshmen in the season opener against Cincinnati. Although Gholston failed to record a tackle that season, he gained invaluable experience at his new position while playing in six games.
[edit] Sophomore Year
In 2005, while battling for the starting defensive end position, Gholston suffered a broken left hand in the season opener. The severity of the injury forced him to redshirt. Vernon returned in 2006 and was the starting defensive end for all 13 games that season. That season Vernon would lead the team in tackles for loss (15) and the entire defensive line in tackles with 49. Gholston would also contribute 8.5 sacks that season and his first career interception against Bowling Green. His efforts in the BGSU game would lead to him being named the team's defensive player of the week and his efforts the entire season earned him a second team All-Big Ten selection.
[edit] Junior Year
Coming into 2007 much was expected of Gholston as a second year starter and a possible All-American candidate. With Lawrence Wilson's broken leg removing the other upperclassmen starter from the defensive line, it feel on Vernon to lead a young and inexperienced group. Despite generally being a quieter guy, Gholston rose his level of play in 2007 and let it speak volumes for him. Vernon would end the regular season for the Buckeyes with 13 sacks, 2nd in the Big Ten and 4th nationally. His 13 sacks also happened to tie the single-season school record set by Mike Vrabel in 1995. Vernon also tied the school record for sacks in a game when he was able to get to Tyler Donovan of Wisconsin four times. As a team, the Buckeyes would end up being tied for second in the Big Ten and fourth nationally with 42 sacks thanks in no small part to Vernon. As well, the defense would end the season as nation's number one scoring, total yards allowed and passing yards allowed defense. For his achievements, Gholston was named a 2007 Walter Camp Second Team All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year by both the Walter Camp and Ted Hendricks Foundations.
[edit] Scouting Report
Vernon is an physical marvel at defensive end. He is one of the strongest Buckeyes on the team boasting a 455 lb. bench press but, because he was originally recruited as a linebacker, Vernon possess outstanding speed uncommon in most defensive ends. His physical attributes allow him to use a combination of moves, both power and speed, to get to the quarterback. The bigger and stronger tackles at the next level will find it difficult to handle Gholston's quickness while the more athletic will have to do everything they can to not get run over. On top of his pass rushing duties Gholston is often called on to drop back into coverage as the "Leo" end in Ohio State's defensive scheme. This means that while he may thrive as an end in a 4-3 defensive scheme in the NFL, he also as the necessary tools to play an outside linebacker position similar to Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens.
[edit] NFL Draft
Many experts believed that Gholston would be a top overall pick, but he fell expectedly to the New York Jets at #6 overall, much to the delight of the many Jets fans at Radio City Music Hall.
[edit] Awards
- 2006 All-Big Ten Second Team
- 2007 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year - Walter Camp Foundation
- 2007 Walter Camp Second Team All-American
- 2007 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year - Ted Hendricks Foundation
[edit] Statistics
[edit] Transactions
[edit] Trivia
- Second in the Big Ten and fourth nationally in sacks (13) in 2007.
[edit] Video Gallery
[edit] Picture Gallery
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