BigBull45

LB Johnathan Vilma
(6'-0",233 Lbs,4.57 40 yd dash)

Notes: Lettered twice in basketball in highschool.Played in all 11 games as a backup middle linebacker as a true freshman in 2000,making 38 tackles,five tackles for a loss and one pass breakup.Suffered a knee injury that required surgery and caused him to miss all but two practices at spring workouts,but he still took over the middle linebacker job vacated by Dan Morgan.Started ten games in '01,missing the West Virginia game with an ankle injury,and led the team in tackles,recording 79 with five tackles for a loss,three sacks,two forced fumbles,a fumble recovery and an interception.Really stood out in national title game,when he covered the Nebraska option like a wet blanket.Started all 13 games in '02 and led the team in tackles with 133.Added eight tackles for a loss,two sacks,one forced fumble,two fumble recoveries and five pass breakups.Recorde a career high 20 tackles vs. Florida State and a team best 14 tackles vs. Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.Was named one of 11 Butkus award smifinalist.Also named a Verizon Academic All-American in '02.As a senior in '03,led the team in tackles and tackles for a loss with 127-12-1 in 13 starts.also had three pass breakups,three recovered fumbles and one forced fumble.Limited in season opener vs. Louisiana Tech with a sore hamstring.Had a season high 16 tackles vs. Tennessee.League coaches voted him first-team All-Big East the last three years.Butkus Award finalist and second-team All-American in '03 by the Associated Press.Two time team captain.

Positives: Very instinctive.Outstanding motor.Cat-like quickness.Reads and reacts in a heartbeat.Plays side-line to side-line and is a sure tackler.Plays with very good natural leverage.Plays faster than he times.Excellent football intelligence and recognition skills.Makes few mental errors.Takes good angles to the ball.Explosive hips.Slips blocks with his quickness.Shows tremendous closing speed and is solid in coverage.Excellent change of direction.Breaks on the ball quickly and has good ball skills.Smooth,fluid athlete.Has a 37 inch vertical jump.

Negatives: Doesn't have the best frame for a linebacker.Undersized.Gets engulfed and bounced around at time.Slowed by injuries and struggled making tackles during first half of senior season.Lacks great lower-body strength.Needs to do a better job staying on his feet.

Summary: If he were two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier,he'd be a top-five talent,but he still is a first round lock.Could sneak up draft boards because of his great intangibles and incredible insticts.Lacks ideal height like Broncos ILB Al Wilson but compensates for it by playing with very good pad level and natural leverage.Like Wilson,Vilma has the tools to develop into a Pro-Bowl caliber player.

turbo_dog

Really stood out in national title game,when he covered the Nebraska option like a wet blanket.

Can anyone say \"Michael Vick twice a year?\"

chRxis

know who else didn\'t have \"ideal height\".... Sam Mills, Mike Singletary, etc. i\'m not worried about the height, as much as the heart.