Vernon Gholston

Infobox NFLactive


caption=
currentteam=New York Jets
currentnumber=56
currentposition=Linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1986|6|5
birthplace=Detroit, Michigan
deathdate=death date and age|2008|4|25
deathplace=Detroit, Michigan
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=264
college=Ohio State
draftyear=2008
draftround=1
draftpick=6
debutyear=2008
debutteam=New York Jets
pastteams=
* New York Jets (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Second-team All-Big Ten (2006)
* First-team All-Big Ten (2007)
* Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year (2007)
* First-team "PFW" All-American (2007)
nfl=GHO395377

Vernon Gholston (born June 5, 1986 in city-state|Detroit|Michigan) is an American football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets sixth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.

Early years

Gholston attended Cass Technical High School. In football, as a senior, Gholston was an All-State honoree as an offensive guard while racking up 75 tackles and six sacks on defense. Gholston, whose father was deceased, was mentored by Wilcher. He also has a cousin named Dre' Gholston and many more. [cite web|url=http://www.osulsu.com/s/content/oh/osu-lsu/story.html/sports/college/osu/2008/01/05/ddn010608gholston|title=From gentle giant to OSU star|accessdate=2008-02-13|publisher=Cox Ohio Publishing and Cox Sports TV|date=2008-01-06|author=Harris, Doug] Gholston's mother's name is Cheryl Gholston. [cite web|url=http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/2110/1/DEMOLITIO-MAN-Ohio-States-Vernon-Gholston-A-one-man-wrecking-crew/Page1.html|title=DEMOLITIO MAN Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston: A one-man wrecking crew|accessdate=2008-02-13|date=2007-11-29|author=Stein, Leland|publisher=Michigan Chronicle Online]

Gholston played football at Cass until his sophomore year and did not play on defense (at linebacker) until his senior year.cite web|url=http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007711060348|title=Gholston showing he is a beast|accessdate=2008-03-13|date=2007-11-06|author=Spencer, Jon|publisher=Newark Advocate] He was originally interested in bodybuilding and working out, buying fitness magazines and working out in his basement before he was a teenager. [cite web|url=http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19025445&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21848&rfi=6|title=End is sculpting his NFL potential|accessdate=2008-02-13|date=2007-11-15|publisher=News-Herald|author=Lloyd, Jason]

College career

On November 3, 2007, Gholston tied two Ohio State team records for quarterback sacks in a game when he dropped Wisconsin QB Tyler Donovan four times for a total loss of 32 yards. Two weeks later he recorded three sacks against the Michigan Wolverines to lead Ohio State to its fourth consecutive win over the Wolverines. During the 2007 season Gholston recorded 37 tackles (15 1/2 for a loss) and set a school record with 14.5 sacks in 13 games, breaking the former record of 13 sacks in a single season set in 1995 by Mike Vrabel. cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1321125| title = Defensive notes| format = | work = | publisher = Ohio State University Athletic Department| accessdate = 18 Nov| accessyear = 2007] He was named All-America by Pro Football Weekly and was First-team All-Big Ten.

In 2006 he earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the league's coaches and media while starting 13 games. Gholston had 49 tackles and his 18 tackles behind the line of scrimmage led the team included 7.5 quarterback sacks, which ranked second on the team. He also intercepted his first pass in the win over Bowling Green.

Gholton redshirted in 2005 after suffering a broken left hand in the season opener. In his Freshman season he played defensive end (even though he was recruited as a linebacker). He played his way on to the depth chart and moved up to the No. 2 spot behind Mike Kudla.

During his tenure at Ohio State, Gholston started 25 games. He finished with 87 tackles (47 solo) and 30.5 stops for a loss. He also had 22.5 sacks, which ranks fifth in school history.

Gholston declared for the 2008 NFL Draft and was projected as a top 10 pick. He tied the highest bench press score at the NFL combine with 37 repetitions at convert|225|lb|kg st|lk=on.cite web|url=http://www.browns247.com/content/view/1156/1/|title=Buckeyes DE Vernon Gholston turns heads at Combine|accessdate=2008-03-13|publisher=www.browns247.com|date=2008-02-25|author=Cabot, Mary Kay] Gholston is the only player to record a quarterback sack against two-time consensus All-American and 2008 NFL Draft number one overall selection Jake Long in Long's NCAA career. Gholston was invited to attend the 2008 NFL Draft in New York.

Awards and honors

National
* 2007 College Football All-America Team (Pro Football Weekly)
* 2007 watch-list candidate for Chuck Bednarik Award
* 2007 watch-list candidate for Ted Hendricks Award

Conference
* 2007 Big Ten Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year (coaches)
* 2007 All-Big Ten Conference First-Team (coaches and media)
* 2006 All-Big Ten Conference Second-Team (coaches and media)

Professional career

Pre-draft

Measurables
* 4.58 40-yard dash
* 42 Inch Vertical jump
* 37 Bench reps of 225
* 7.12 3-Cone drill
* 4.40 Short Shuttle
* 10-foot-5 Broad jump
* 455 pound bench press [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/sports/football/27jets.html?ref=football New York Times.com] ]

New York Jets

Gholston was drafted by the New York Jets sixth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. [cite web|url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/2154-gholston-a-jet|title=Gholston a Jet|accessdate=2008-04-26|date=2008-04-26|author=Allen, Eric] Gholston is expected to play outside linebacker in the Jets' 3-4 defense with the Jets citing his speed, strength and “long limbs,” believing they had found the perfect outside pass rusher for their defense. [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5haAExzqxvvYSppATL0SoqbIxv8SgD909P3P80 AP.com] ] [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/sports/football/27jets.html?ref=football New York Times.com] ] Gholston agreed to terms on a 5-year, $50 million contract (with $21 million in guaranteed money) with the Jets on July 24.

References

External links

* [http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/player/1335-vernon-gholston New York Jets bio]
* [http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87746&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1059303&Q_SEASON=2007 Ohio State Buckeyes bio]