| No. 56, 50 | |||||
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| Position | Defensive end /Linebacker | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born | (1986-06-05)June 5, 1986 (age 39) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | ||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||
| Weight | 264 lb (120 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school | Cass Technical(Detroit, Michigan) | ||||
| College | Ohio State (2005–2007) | ||||
| NFL draft | 2008: 1st round, 6th overall pick | ||||
| Career history | |||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Vernon Gholston (born June 5, 1986) is an American former professionalfootball player who was adefensive end andlinebacker in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theOhio State Buckeyes and was selected sixth overall by theNew York Jets in the2008 NFL draft. Gholston was also a member of theChicago Bears andSt. Louis Rams.
As a senior atCass Technical High School, Gholston emerged as one of the top prospects in the Midwest after registering 75 tackles, including six sacks, as a linebacker and also earning an All-State selection as an offensive guard.
Gholston attended Ohio State University,redshirting in 2005 after suffering a broken left hand in the season opener. In his freshman season he played defensive end, though recruited as a linebacker. He eventually moved up to the number 2 spot behind Mike Kudla.
In 2006, he earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the league's coaches and the media while starting 13 games. Gholston had 49 tackles and his 18 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, which 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.
On November 3, 2007, Gholston tied two Ohio State team records forquarterback sacks in a game when he droppedWisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan four times for a total loss of 32 yards. Two weeks later, he recorded three sacks against theMichigan Wolverines to lead Ohio State to its fourth consecutive win over the Wolverines. During the 2007 season, Gholston recorded 37 tackles (15.5 for a loss) and set a school record with 14 sacks in 13 games, breaking the former record of 13 sacks in a single season set in 1995 byMike Vrabel.[1] He was namedAll-America byPro Football Weekly and was First-team All-Big Ten.
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 sixth in school history.
| Year | GP | Tackles | For Loss | Sacks | Int | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 13 | 49 | 15 | 8.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 13 | 37 | 15.5 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 31 | 87 | 30.5 | 22.5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
National
Conference
Gholston declared for the2008 NFL draft and was projected as a top 10 pick. He tied the highestbench press score at the NFL combine with 37repetitions at 225 pounds (102 kg; 16.1 st).[2] Gholston was one of two players to record aquarterback sack against two-time consensusAll-American and 2008 NFL Draft number one overall selectionJake Long in Long'sNCAA career.[2] Gholston was invited to attend the2008 NFL draft in New York. He drew comparisons toKalimba Edwards.[3]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 266 lb (121 kg) | 34 in (0.86 m) | 10 in (0.25 m) | 4.58 s | 1.59 s | 2.63 s | 4.40 s | 7.12 s | 42 in (1.07 m) | 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) | 37 reps | 21 |
| Vertical Jump and 40-yard dash (and splits) fromOhio State'sPro Day on March 7, 2008. All others fromNFL Combine[4][5] | ||||||||||||
Gholston was selected by theNew York Jets in the first round with the sixth overall pick in the2008 NFL draft.[6][7] He was 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.[8][9] Gholston agreed to terms on a 5-year deal with the Jets on July 24, 2008 reportedly for $32 million, with $21 million guaranteed.
However, Gholston did not play much his rookie season after being expected to start. He saw time mainly on special teams, totalling 13 tackles, 5 solo. In his second year, During the 2009 season, he tallied 17 tackles (12 solo and 2 tackles for loss). Following the 2009 season, Gholston converted from outside linebacker to his more-familiar defensive end position.
Gholston was released by New York on March 2, 2011 after three seasons with the team.[10]
Gholston was signed to a contract by theChicago Bears on July 29, 2011.[11] The Bears waived Gholston on August 29, 2011.[12]
TheSt. Louis Rams signed Gholston on August 22, 2012.[13] The Rams waived Gholston on August 31, 2012.[14]
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Solo | Assisted | Sacks | Forced fumbles | Fumble recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | NYJ | 15 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | NYJ | 14 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | NYJ | 16 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 45 | 42 | 24 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
His younger cousin,William, is a defensive end for theTampa Bay Buccaneers.[15]
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