Vernon Gholston
{{Short description|American football player (born 1986)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Vernon Gholston
| image =
| caption =
| number = 56, 50
| position = Defensive end / Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|06|05}}
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 264
| high_school = Cass Technical {{nowrap|(Detroit, Michigan)}}
| college = Ohio State (2005–2007)
| draftyear = 2008
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 6
| pastteams =
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2008|2010}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2011}})*
- St. Louis Rams ({{NFL Year|2012}})*
| highlights =
- Second-team All-American (2007)
- Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year (2007)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2007)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (2006)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 42
| pfr = G/GholVe99
}}
Vernon Gholston (born June 5, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2008 NFL draft. Gholston was also a member of the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams.
Early life
As a senior at Cass 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.
College career
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 for quarterback sacks in a game when he dropped Wisconsin quarterback 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 (15.5 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 by Mike Vrabel.{{cite web| url = http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1321125| title = Defensive notes| publisher = Ohio State University Athletic Department| access-date = November 18, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was named All-America by Pro 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.
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||
| 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 | |
| style="background:#555; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| Career | 31 | 87 | 30.5 | 22.5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
=Awards and honors=
National
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=
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}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.browns247.com/content/view/1156/1/|title=Buckeyes DE Vernon Gholston turns heads at Combine|access-date=2008-03-13|publisher=browns247.com|date=February 25, 2008|author=Cabot, Mary Kay |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080503031926/http://www.browns247.com/content/view/1156/1/ |archive-date = May 3, 2008}} Gholston was one of two players 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. He drew comparisons to Kalimba Edwards.{{cite web | title=Pro Football War Room: Vernon Gholston Profile | url=http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2008/players/7888.html | work=SportingNews.com | access-date=2009-05-28 | archive-date=May 17, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517131517/http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2008/players/7888.html | url-status=dead }}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3
| weight = 266
| dash = 4.58
| ten split = 1.59
| twenty split = 2.63
| shuttle = 4.40
| cone drill = 7.12
| vertical = 42
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 5
| bench = 37
| wonderlic = 21
| arm span = 34
| hand span = 10
| note = Vertical Jump and 40-yard dash (and splits) from Ohio State's Pro Day on March 7, 2008. All others from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Vernon Gholston Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/vernon-gholston/32004748-4f39-5377-12b0-c4731f5df5df |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2008 NFL Draft Scout Vernon Gholston College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=10412&DraftYear=2008 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=New York Jets=
Gholston was selected by the New York Jets in the first round with the sixth overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2008 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{cite web|url=http://origin.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show/2154-gholston-a-jet|title=Gholston a Jet|access-date=2008-04-26|date=April 26, 2008|author=Allen, Eric}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} 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.{{cite news |first=Greg |last=Bishop |title=Jets Pick Two From the Big Ten, and One's a Big Surprise |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/sports/football/27jets.html |work=New York Times |date=April 27, 2008 }}[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5haAExzqxvvYSppATL0SoqbIxv8SgD909P3P80 AP.com]{{dead link|date=November 2012|bot=Legobot}} 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.
=Chicago Bears=
Gholston was signed to a contract by the Chicago Bears on July 29, 2011.{{cite news|title=Bears to sign former No. 6 pick Gholston |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-bears-looking-to-bring-in-former-6thround-pick-gholston-20110729,0,1381747.story |work=Chicago Tribune |author=McClure, Vaughn |date=July 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110731184222/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-bears-looking-to-bring-in-former-6thround-pick-gholston-20110729,0,1381747.story |archive-date=July 31, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} The Bears waived Gholston on August 29, 2011.{{cite news|title=Bears RB Taylor not cut – still with team for now |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/08/30/chester.taylor.ap/index.html?sct=nfl_t2_a15 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press |date=August 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104190122/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/08/30/chester.taylor.ap/index.html?sct=nfl_t2_a15 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}
=St. Louis Rams=
The St. Louis Rams signed Gholston on August 22, 2012.{{cite web|title=Rams Finish Camp on Fun Note, Gholston Signed |url=http://blog.stlouisrams.com/2012/08/22/rams-finish-camp-on-fun-note-gholston-signed/ |publisher=St. Louis Rams |author=Wagoner, Nick |date=August 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826005811/http://blog.stlouisrams.com/2012/08/22/rams-finish-camp-on-fun-note-gholston-signed/ |archive-date=August 26, 2012 |access-date=August 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} The Rams waived Gholston on August 31, 2012.{{cite news|title=Source: Rams cut Vernon Gholston|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8322341/st-louis-rams-vernon-gholston-released-source|work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=August 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903040738/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8322341/st-louis-rams-vernon-gholston-released-source|archive-date=September 3, 2012|access-date=August 31, 2012|url-status=bot: unknown}}
=NFL statistics=
Personal
His younger cousin, William, is a defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{cite web|title=Player Bio William Gholston|url=http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gholston_william00.html|work=Michigan State Football official site|access-date=October 21, 2011|archive-date=October 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017131817/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gholston_william00.html|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20101205114336/http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/roster/vernon-gholston/be5e85d7-6072-403c-ae16-191f755f0bf3/ New York Jets profile]
{{2008 NFL Draft}}
{{Jets2008DraftPicks}}
{{JetsFirstPick}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gholston, Vernon}}
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:American football outside linebackers
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:St. Louis Rams players
Category:Cass Technical High School alumni
Category:Players of American football from Detroit
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen