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Position: DE
Class: 2008 Big Board
Year: Junior
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Date of Birth: 6/5/86
Height: 6030
Weight: 266
Bench Press: 37
Vertical Jump: 42
40 T: 4.67
Projection: First Round
Ordering: 4
05.25.09 - Our New York moles tell us that the Jets have been delighted with the progress of last year’s sixth overall pick, workout warrior Vernon Gholston. He has developed enhanced study-techniques, which has transferred to a more confident player on the football field said one person close to the situation. Last year, Gholston looked like a dear caught in headlights, registering a mere total of one tackle. Coach Rex Ryan even had this to say when asked about the former Ohio State standout after a recent practice: "I know one thing: He is going to be a major contributor for us."
Pros: The Ohio St. University defensive end was the star of the NFL Scouting Combine, producing off the charts numbers in terms of speed, strength and athleticism. Gholston proved he is more than a workout warrior, rushing the edge for the past two seasons on a Buckeyes team that made it to back-to-back BCS Championship games. Built like a chiseled sculpture, Gholston combines power and agility—a physical specimen who is all muscle. He anticipates the snap as well as anyone and possesses the lightning quick first step to make opponents pay. He also has the size and strength combination that allows him to use the bull-rush technique as a changeup, a potential two-way force. But he isn’t just a flashy defender—Gholston is not afraid to do the dirty work and plays with a high motor. He also has experience playing linebacker.
Cons: Not by much, but Gholston could be considered a ‘tweener by some. Recruited as a linebacker, he may still need to grow a bit into being a big time pro-caliber defensive lineman, or prove he is agile enough to move back to linebacker. As a linebacker prospect he is obviously raw, particularly in pass coverage which he did very little of at OSU. Gholston did not always play at an elite level.
Medical Examiner:
- 9/3/05—Broke left hand in the season opener and was red-shirted the rest of the season shortly thereafter. Gholston was still able to practice with the team after October, but did not play in any more games that year.
- 9/29/07—Sprained his right ankle, missed two days of practice. Gholston's playing time was slightly limited over the next couple games but he did not miss any starts.
Overall: When you play at a football school, even potential NFL stars can be overshadowed by some of their teammates. However, by draft day everyone will know who Gholston is. He had 14 sacks this past season, including a marquee effort against highly touted
Factoid: Gholston can bench press 475 pounds and was legendary in the Buckeye locker room for once squatting 455 pounds 20 times.
Murphy’s View: Gholston has a great first step off the ball, makes good use of his hands and shows a burst of closing speed that is equal to that of the top pass rushers in the NFL. He was recruited as a linebacker, so at just under 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, many 3-4 teams see him as a standup defensive end or outside linebacker. He should be among the top 10 picks.
Mogollon’s View: The former Buckeye may be the best pure pass rusher in this draft, but he is not one dimensional by any means. Although limited, Gholston was used dropping back at times. He has excellent upside as a 3-4 outside linebacker who will wreak havoc on opposing offenses. He may have to fight through some growing pains, but once he settles in, Gholston will be well worth the wait. Remember, Shawn Merriman was a defensive end at college.
Highlights of Accomplishments:
- 2007 First Team All-Big Ten
- 2007 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
- 2007 Ted Hendricks Award Finalist
- 2006 Second Team All-Big Ten
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (11/3/07, 11/17/07)
High School: Played linebacker and offensive guard for two years at
Pros: The Ohio St. University defensive end was the star of the NFL Scouting Combine, producing off the charts numbers in terms of speed, strength and athleticism. Gholston proved he is more than a workout warrior, rushing the edge for the past two seasons on a Buckeyes team that made it to back-to-back BCS Championship games. Built like a chiseled sculpture, Gholston combines power and agility—a physical specimen who is all muscle. He anticipates the snap as well as anyone and possesses the lightning quick first step to make opponents pay. He also has the size and strength combination that allows him to use the bull-rush technique as a changeup, a potential two-way force. But he isn’t just a flashy defender—Gholston is not afraid to do the dirty work and plays with a high motor. He also has experience playing linebacker.
Cons: Not by much, but Gholston could be considered a ‘tweener by some. Recruited as a linebacker, he may still need to grow a bit into being a big time pro-caliber defensive lineman, or prove he is agile enough to move back to linebacker. As a linebacker prospect he is obviously raw, particularly in pass coverage which he did very little of at OSU. Gholston did not always play at an elite level.
Medical Examiner:
- 9/3/05—Broke left hand in the season opener and was red-shirted the rest of the season shortly thereafter. Gholston was still able to practice with the team after October, but did not play in any more games that year.
- 9/29/07—Sprained his right ankle, missed two days of practice. Gholston's playing time was slightly limited over the next couple games but he did not miss any starts.
Overall: When you play at a football school, even potential NFL stars can be overshadowed by some of their teammates. However, by draft day everyone will know who Gholston is. He had 14 sacks this past season, including a marquee effort against highly touted
Factoid: Gholston can bench press 475 pounds and was legendary in the Buckeye locker room for once squatting 455 pounds 20 times.
Murphy’s View: Gholston has a great first step off the ball, makes good use of his hands and shows a burst of closing speed that is equal to that of the top pass rushers in the NFL. He was recruited as a linebacker, so at just under 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, many 3-4 teams see him as a standup defensive end or outside linebacker. He should be among the top 10 picks.
Mogollon’s View: The former Buckeye may be the best pure pass rusher in this draft, but he is not one dimensional by any means. Although limited, Gholston was used dropping back at times. He has excellent upside as a 3-4 outside linebacker who will wreak havoc on opposing offenses. He may have to fight through some growing pains, but once he settles in, Gholston will be well worth the wait. Remember, Shawn Merriman was a defensive end at college.
Highlights of Accomplishments:
- 2007 First Team All-Big Ten
- 2007 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
- 2007 Ted Hendricks Award Finalist
- 2006 Second Team All-Big Ten
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (11/3/07, 11/17/07)
High School: Played linebacker and offensive guard for two years at