Matt Wilhelm

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Matt Wilhelm
San Diego Chargers — No. 57
Inside Linebacker
Date of birth: February 2, 1981 (1981-02-02) (age 27)
Place of birth: Oberlin, Ohio
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
National Football League debut
2003 for the San Diego Chargers
Career history
College: Ohio State
NFL Draft: 2003 / Round: 4 / Pick: 112
 Teams:
Career highlights and awards
  • No notable achievements
Stats at NFL.com

Matt Wilhelm (born February 2, 1981 in Oberlin, Ohio) is an American football player who currently plays Inside Linebacker in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers.

Contents

[edit] Early years

Wilhelm attended Elyria Catholic High School in Elyria, Ohio. He amassed 100 tackles, 26 for loss, and 11 sacks as a senior and was named a 1st Team All-Ohio selection. Wilhelm also played tight end and running back.[1] In 2002, he had his #34 jersey retired at Elyria.

[edit] College career

Matt Wilhelm played for the Ohio State University football team from 1999 to 2002. Wilhelm was moved to middle linebacker before his sophomore season and started every game. In his first game as a starter against Fresno State, Wilhelm intercepted a David Carr pass and ran it 25 yards for a touchdown.[2] The following year, he earned the coveted Randy Gradishar Award as the team’s top linebacker and made all of the defensive calls. As a senior, Wilhelm helped his team to a national championship with a team-leading 11 tackles in one of the most memorable games in college history against the University of Miami. Wilhelm is most remembered for knocking Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey out for one play on the games final drive when Dorsey was unable to score.[3] Wilhelm ended the year with a career high 121 tackles and ended his career with the 6th most career tackles for loss for Ohio State all-time.[4]

[edit] NFL career

[edit] 2003 NFL Draft

Wilhelm was drafted by the Chargers 112th overall in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Pre-draft measureables
Weight 40 yd 20 ss 3-cone Vert BP Wonderlic
245 lb (111 kg)* 4.80s* X X X X 27*[5]

(* represents NFL Combine)

[edit] San Diego Chargers

So far Wilhelm's career has been comprised of being a reserve and a special teams terror. In a feature article by Jay Paris of the North County Times, Wilhelm says he is ready to become "the man". Former linebacker Steve Foley said, "If his number is going to be called for the season, he is getting the things done to be part of something special... He'll be that guy that is kind of the leader in the huddle, as far as getting the calls out and getting us where we need to be. You have to have respect for the guy." Speaking of Wilhelm's instincts, former head coach Marty Schottenheimer said "He's done a nice job for us... One of his strengths is he is very, very knowledgeable. He is bright."[6]

On December 25, 2006, AJ Smith rewarded Wilhelm with his first big contract, a 5yr extension paying about $6.5 million the first two years.[7] The contract runs through the 2011 season. "Matt is one of this team's rising young defensive players," general manager A.J. Smith said, "He has played solid football when called upon ... and has been very productive as a special teams player. We are pleased that we will have Matt with us for years to come."[8]

This extension put the writing on the wall that Wilhelm would be first in line to replace Donnie Edwards not only at right inside linebacker but also as a leader and playmaker in the linebacking core for the 07-08 season.

[edit] Trivia

  • Wilhelm is very superstitious and wore the same game shoes for his final three seasons at Ohio State. The night before gameday, Wilhelm would also always choose the bed closest to the window.[9]

Wilhelm initially wore #56 for the Chargers but made a deal with Shawne Merriman so that Merriman could wear the number.

  • He and his wife Vanessa are currently expecting their first child, a boy, due in March.

[edit] References

  1. ^ CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports
  2. ^ NCAA Football - Fresno State vs. Ohio State
  3. ^ Turnovers mar end to Dorsey's college career
  4. ^ Chargers.com - Team » Roster » #57 Matt Wilhelm | LB
  5. ^ Matt Wilhelm, ILB, Ohio State - 2003 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange
  6. ^ North County Times - Chargers - Wilhelm's wait could be worth it
  7. ^ Bolts Planet
  8. ^ ESPN - Chargers give promising LB Wilhelm 5-year extension - NFL
  9. ^ Chargers.com - Team » Roster » #57 Matt Wilhelm | LB

[edit] External links