Vernon Gholston Vernon Gholston ( born June 5 , 1986 ) is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent . He played college football at Ohio State and was drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2008 NFL Draft . He has also been a member of the Chicago Bears and St . Louis Rams . Early years . As a senior at Cass Technical High School , Gholston emerged as one of the top prospects in the Midwest after registering 75 tackles , including six sacks , and earning an All - State selection as an offensive guard . College career . Gholston redshirted in 2005 after suffering a broken left hand in the season opener . In his freshman season he played defensive end , though recruited as a linebacker . He eventually moved up to the number 2 spot behind Mike Kudla . In 2006 he earned Second - team All - Big Ten honors from both the league ' s coaches and the media while starting 13 games . Gholston had 49 tackles and his 18 tackles behind the line of scrimmage , which led the team , included 7 . 5 quarterback sacks , ranked second on the team . He also intercepted his first pass in the win over Bowling Green . On November 3 , 2007 , Gholston tied two Ohio State team records for quarterback sack s in a game when he dropped Wisconsin quarterback 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 . 5 for a loss ) and set a school record with 14 . 5 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 . 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 21 . 5 sacks , which ranks fifth in school history . Awards and honors . National Conference Professional career . 2008 NFL Draft . Gholston declared for the 2008 NFL Draft and was projected as a top 10 pick . He tied the highest bench press score at the NFL combine with 37 repetitions at . Gholston was one of two players 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 . He drew comparisons to Kalimba Edwards . New York Jets . Gholston was drafted by the New York Jets sixth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft . He was 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 . Gholston agreed to terms on a 5 - year deal with the Jets on July 24 , 2008 . However , Gholston did not play much his rookie season after being expected to start . He saw time mainly on special teams , totalling 13 tackles , 5 solo . In his second year , Gholston was mostly a minor contributor under new coach Rex Ryan ' s defense . During the 2009 season , he tallied 17 tackles ( 12 solo and 2 tackles for loss ) . Following the 2009 season , Gholston converted from outside linebacker to his more - familiar defensive end position . Gholston was released by New York on March 2 , 2011 after three seasons with the team — a time in which he recorded no sacks ( while , according to ESPN , over 600 other players recorded at least one ) . He has widely been considered a " bust " of a draft pick . Chicago Bears . Gholston was signed to a contract by the Chicago Bears on July 29 , 2011 . The Bears waived Gholston on August 29 , 2011 . St . Louis Rams . The St . Louis Rams signed Gholston on August 22 , 2012 . The Rams waived Gholston on August 31 , 2012 . Personal . His cousin , William , is a defensive end for the Michigan State Spartans .