Vernon Gholston, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Ohio State Junior Ht: 6’ 3" Wt: 266 lbs. Speed: 4.64 Scouting Report by Daryl Breault

            Few defensive players in this draft class have the athletic ability and potential to make them as exciting a prospect as Vernon Gholston.  While Chris Long is earning all of the accolades right now, Gholston has the ability to be a true difference maker as a sack artist.  Much like Jason Taylor, Gholston is a marvel of athleticism that, while very inexperienced, can drop back as a linebacker or use his exceptional burst, strong hand punch and killer’s instinct to harass quarterbacks.  Gholston set the school record with 14 sacks in 2007 and had 22.5 sacks over his career at Ohio State.  He makes plays against the run as well as he had 15.5 tackles for loss amounting 113 lost yards for the opposition and held opponents to –41 yards on running plays directed at him.

            Gholston played linebacker in high school and was used in the “Leo” role at OSU, which gave him the versatility to rush the passer or drop back in zones, giving him some experience in coverage.  Much like Taylor, I’m not sure he would be best utilized as a 3-4 pass rusher all of the time.  In Miami, Taylor has moved around all over the field, having his hand down on one play or standing up the next.  That versatility and skill management on the part of Dom Capers (now unemployed) had made Taylor an MVP caliber player and a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year every season.  Gholston could develop into an All Pro linebacker in time, but you would be losing a Hall of Fame defensive end.

            There is just so much to like about Gholston.  He has a perfect body, large frame that can hold more weight, long arms and thick legs.  He gets excellent leverage, has a low center of gravity, and consistently holds his ground at the point of attack.  He uses his hands as well as any prospect in recent years and Gholston will fight and claw until the whistle.  His speed enables him to chase down plays and flow down the line, but he is also fast enough to play sideline to sideline as a linebacker.  He is a strong open-field tackler who can lay the lumber and dislodge ball carriers from the ball.  He has an improving pass rush repertoire with the ability swim and counter effectively and is getting comfortable with his package.  Add in a relentless motor, strong work ethic and squeaky-clean background and you have quite a prospect.

            On the other hand, there is very little not to like about Gholston.  He is an improving player with the potential to be a transcending talent who can take over the league much like Jason Taylor has over the last few seasons.  Other than his relative inexperience, Gholston rates highly in every category.  Some people have called him overrated and that’s myself included.  Sorry, but I’m a Michigan guy, Michigan State to be exact, and it’s my job to hate Buckeyes, but after reviewing more tape and getting a closer look at him, I have changed my humble opinion.  Hey, I’m allowed to do that right? 

Gholston is amazing; there is just no other way to put it.  With Parcells now in Miami, I’m a little surprised that Gholston is not considered a candidate for the Number 1 pick.  Imagine him and Taylor on the same field attacking QB’s and runners, and it seems like the team will try to switch to a full-time 3-4 defense, giving the Fish the ability to toss out multiple looks and disguise their blitzes better than any team in the league.  If Gholston slips to the Jets at #6, the Dolphins will regret it for the next decade.  Playing in the same division, Miami would have to face him twice a year.  You’d be looking at anywhere from 20-25 times that Miami could kick themselves in the butt for not taking him. See his video here

Update: Gholston put on quite a show at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine. He looked like a complete stud, chiseled in solid muscle. Gholston is as strong as an ox lifting 225 pounds 37 times, which was the best performance at the combine, actually tying 313 pound offensive tackle Jake Long for first place. Gholston also displayed excellent speed, quickness and leaping ability. He ran his forty at 4.67 with a 35.5” vertical jump and a 10.05 broad jump. he has cemented himself as a top five selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.