Just Another First-Round Bust

Gholston is one of the biggest 1st Round busts
in recent memory.

The New York Jets have released former first-round draft pick Vernon Gholston.

After three years of disappointment the Jets decided to give up on the former Ohio State Buckeye standout. Taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2008 draft, the Jets had high hopes for Gholston.

Gholston was one of the best defensive players in his two full seasons in the NCAA.

In his first year as a starter, Gholston broken his hand and was forced to redshirt, but returning the next year, he was a force on the defensive side of the ball. He recorded 47 total tackles and sacking the quarterback eight times as a linebacker for head coach Jim Tressel.

That same year with the help of Gholston, the Buckeyes would finish 12-0, 8-0 in the Big Ten, claiming a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.

The Buckeyes would be embarrassed in Glendale, Arizona with the defense struggling, including Gholston, giving up 41 points to the Florida Gators.

In 2007, Gholston became even more of a presence of the field for the Buckeyes recording 14 sacks and winning the top defensive player honor in the Big Ten. After losing in the National Championship Game for the second straight year to an SEC opponent, Gholston declared for the NFL draft, where he had so much promise, or so we thought.

As we know now, Gholston has turned into yet another first-round bust, only recording 42 total tackles in his three seasons with the Jets. Gholston never recorded a forced fumble, interception or sack during that time. The former Buckeye was said to have an agreement in his 2010 contract that if he were to either record just one, sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, or an interception, he would have earned a $9 million bonus.

If that was not enough motivation for him than nothing ever will.

Still only 24, Gholston will probably draw interest from other teams because of his physical tools, but they have yet to translate onto the gridiron every Sunday. A prime example why the owners do not want to give first-round draft picks so much guaranteed money. Gholston signed a five-year $32 million rookie contract with $21 million guaranteed.

That is roughly $2 million per tackle in his short three-year career. Well worth it, just ask the Jets.