Vernon Gholston

Vernon Gholston was born on June 5, 1986 in Detroit, Michigan and is an American football linebacker and defensive end 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 where he earned the 2007 Big Ten Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year award.

Early years
Gholston attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan and was a student and a letterman in football where he played for head coach Thomas Wilcher. 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. Gholston's mother's name is Cheryl Gholston.

Gholston did not play football at Cass until his sophomore year and did not play on defense (at linebacker) until his senior year. He was originally interested in bodybuilding and working out, buying fitness magazines and working out in his basement before he was a teenager.

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 sacks in 13 games, breaking the former record of 13 sacks in a single season set in 1995 by Mike Vrabel. 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 15 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 has declared for the 2008 NFL Draft and is projected as a top 10 pick. He tied the highest bench press score at the NFL combine with 37 repetitions at 225 lb. 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)

Measurables

 * 4.58 40-yard dash
 * 42 Inch Vertical jump
 * 37 Bench reps
 * 7.12 3-Cone drill
 * 4.40 Short Shuttle
 * 10-foot-5 Broad jump
 * 455 pound bench press

New York Jets
Gholston was drafted by the New York Jets sixth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. 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. The Jets have begun contract negotiations with Gholston in hopes of avoiding a hold out.