Free Agent Spotlight: Vince Wilfork

Jul 25, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork speaks with the media at the teams practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

College Career

College: Miami (FL)

Drafted: 1st Rd, 21st Overall

Vince Wilfork made his national debut at the University of Miami (Florida), where he was a two sport athlete. Along with football, Wilfork was part of the Hurricanes’ track and field team, where he participated in the shot put.

He didn’t start early in his career, but still played in every game. He would finish the season with 41 tackles. In his sophomore season, he also did not start, but improved his  tackle total to 43 and included 7 sacks.

But Vince’s real coming out would be during his junior campaign. He started all 13 games for the Hurricanes, finishing the year with 63 tackles. This season would also be his last at The U, as he would declare for the 2004 NFL Draft afterwards.

Wilfork would go into the 2004 draft projected as the number two defensive tackle behind Tommie Harris out of Oklahoma. His stock reportedly dropped due to criticisms of his work ethic, which team staffs say were a result of Wilfork seeming to take off plays to avoid getting injured. He would still go on to be drafted by the Patriots with the 21st pick of the draft, and Vince hasn’t looked back since.

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