By Bill Smith

    The legend of Deion Sanders started in Indianapolis at the Combine.  He was walking down the hall and was stopped by an NFL executive that will remain unnamed for what will become obvious reasons.

            “We would like to schedule you for an interview.  When...”  Sanders cut him off.
            “Where do you draft?”
            “Fifteen, why?”
            “Forget it.  I won't be available that late.”  Sanders walked off.

    Vernon Gholston is too much of a nice guy to do that, but he won't last to the 15^th choice either.  Gholston is a top 5 prospect.  There are a lot of reasons that is the case.

    First, Gholston may have had the quickest first step on the defensive side of the ball in all of college football in 2007.  If you have a tape of an OSU game, stop the tape at the snap of the ball.  The very first player to move after the center is Gholston.  The average college tackle doesn't have a chance to stop him getting to the quarterback on a pass play.

    The rule that governs line play in every level of football is “fast man—low man wins.”  Getting into the offensive lineman first and getting under his shoulder pads gives Gholston the leverage he needs to drive the opponent back to the QB.  As an honorable mention All American in 2006, he used his strength and leverage to bull rush almost exclusively.  This year, he refined his pass rush moves and often dips his shoulder to get around the blocker and get to the QB faster.

    He is not a natural knee bender and at times struggles to sink his hips to change direction.  However, Gholston does get low enough to get around the blocker.  While you usually hear that quality with respect to offensive linemen, it is just as important to D linemen.  By getting low, it prevents the OL from getting their hands on his chest and limits the amount of control a tackle or guard has in pushing him beyond the QB.  It also gives him the use of his hands and arms to grab any running back coming his way. 

    His football instincts are excellent.  He reacts well to screen passes and reverses.  His speed allows him to run down plays to the opposite side before a back can turn the corner.  He is perhaps the most athletic player in the draft for any of the front 7 positions.  He knocks down passes if he can not get to the passer.

    He is much better than most at his weight at defending the run.  He uses his hands well to avoid blockers and is an excellent tackler.  He can take down an opponent with one hand if necessary.  Whether he plays defensive end or outside linebacker, he will be a 3 down player. 

    There are a couple of areas he needs to work on.  If a massive tackle gets his hands on him, Gholston has trouble getting off the block and getting to the play.  The only other negative is that he is so fast and quick he sometimes lacks control as he gets to the QB.  These are both technique issues that will be handled by his pro coach.  He has made progress in those areas while at OSU.

    Gholston showed his competitive nature by refusing to rest on what had been an outstanding performance at the combine.  At the OSU Pro day, he ran the 40 yard dash in under 4.6 seconds and jumped 42 inches.  He has moved from a top 10 to a top 5 choice.  He could well go second overall to the Rams.  I have a feeling you could win a Super Bowl if you had 53 Vernon Gholstons.