OVERVIEW
A gifted athlete who also excelled on the Hurricanes' track team, performing in the shot put … Family illnesses affected his play in 2002, but his agility and power allowed him to display flashes of brilliance during his brief career … Nicknamed "Baby Sapp" as he has drawn comparisons to former Miami Hurricane and present Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout Warren Sapp, for his ability to clog the rush lanes and defeat combo blocks … Recorded 148 tackles (73 solos) with 14 sacks for minus-60 yards and 37½ stops for losses of 110 yards during his career … Also credited with 42 quarterback pressures, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 36 games at Miami.
ANALYSIS
Positives: Big-boned with broad shoulders, a thick chest, long arms and good thigh development … Normal-to-short strider who flashes good speed and a short burst to close … Despite his size, he has the foot quickness and change-of-direction agility to flash power and explosion down the line … Has good functional strength at the point of attack … Shows the arm power and hand usage to create separation, stuff and shed … Will strike and explode into blockers … Has the raw strength to collapse the pocket and gives a solid second effort to disengage … Displays good desire to get to the passer through his backside pursuit … Has a great motor, getting into the backfield in an instant … Shows the foot speed to stalk the ball carriers turning the corner and the quickness to mirror receivers in the short area passing game … Has an aggressive nature, doing an excellent job to defeat combo blocks and double teams with forceful rip, swim and club moves … His lateral agility, change-of-direction quickness, low-pad level and massive frame could be ideal plugging the middle in a 3-4 defensive alignment.
Negatives: Did not play up to par in 2002 due to family issues (mother's and father's illnesses) … Needs to improve his eating habits, as he has to shed at least 25-30 pounds to retain his stamina and quickness … Despite his power, he shows inconsistency when trying to stack, mostly due to his narrow leg base … Short-arms at times, which lets blockers get into his chest too much … Plays too high in his stance due to his soft midsection preventing him from getting down in a three-point … Must be in front of the ball carrier in order to make the tackles, as he lacks the proper arm technique to stalk, wrap and secure … Lacks good cross-face moves needed to get gap penetration and his high stance makes him appear sluggish when combating the low blocks … Good tackler, but his inability to properly extend his arms prevents him from wrapping when tackling … Not the most "determined" student, whose aversion to academics caused him to miss the 2000 season.
AGILITY TESTS
5.21 in the 40-yard dash … 375-pound bench press … 505-pound squat … 343-pound power clean … 32 ?-inch arm length … 10-inch hands … Right-handed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Santaluces (Lantana, Fla.) High … Regarded as one of Florida's top three defensive linemen after the 1999 season … USA Today second-team All-American, adding SuperPrep first-team All-American honors, as he was rated the No. 10 defensive lineman nationally by that publication and the No. 10 defensive lineman in the Southeast Region by PrepStar … Listed as the No. 7 overall prospect in Florida by SuperPrep … Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Dallas Morning News National Top 100, listed as one of the South's top players by recruiting analyst Bill Buchalter of the Orlando Sentinel … Named the No. 2 defensive tackle in Florida on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list and listed as a National Blue Chip All-American nose tackle by recruiting analyst Max Emfinger … Made 88 tackles as a junior, while being double-teamed … Finished his senior season with 72 tackles, with 11 sacks … Also lettered in track, finishing second in the state in the Class 6A shot put and discus.
PERSONAL
Liberal Arts major … Son of the late Barbara and David Wilfolk … His mother passed away on Dec. 18th, 2002 from complications from a stroke she suffered on Nov. 7th … His father had recently passed away in June 5, 2002 from kidney failure brought upon by diabetes … Wilfork wears medallion around neck with prom picture of his mother and father. Has tattoo that says "Mom Rest in Peace; Dad Rest In Peace." … Born Vincent Lamar Wilfork on Nov. 4, 1981 … Resides in Latana, Fla.