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 -- 6/28/2009
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Height: 6'1"
Weight: 230 lbs
Birthday: 4-16-1982
Years in NFL: 3
College: Miami, FL

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

  • Selected by the Jets in the first round (12th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft.

CAREER

  • Has played in 32 games, starting 30, collecting 305 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, four INT for 60 yards, eight PD, five FF and two FR in two seasons.
  • Became only the third Jet to earn AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and first since DE Hugh Douglas captured the award in 1995.
  • Also named Football Digest's Defensive Rookie of the Year and to the Pro Football Writer's All Rookie team.
  • Earned AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for November after he recorded 48 tackles, an INT, one PD and a FR.

2005 SEASON (JETS)

  • Started his 30th game and collected eight tackles (six solo) and a QB pressure in the week 17 win vs. BUF.
  • Led the team in tackles for the fourth consecutive week with 17 (14 solo, his second best career performance) and notched his first sack of the season shared with DT Lance Legree in the week 16 loss vs. NE.
  • Led the team along with S Erik Coleman in tackles notching seven (five solo) and had a QB pressure in the week 15 loss at MIA.
  • In the week 14 win vs. OAK he led the team with 10 tackles (eight solo), a QB pressure, a PD and a FF.
  • In the week 13 loss at NE he led the team with 14 tackles (10 solo), had two TFL for a total loss of three yards and FF.
  • Credited with eight tackles (four solo) in the week 12 loss vs. NO.
  • In the week 11 loss at DEN he had his career and season-high 18 tackles (14 solo), two PD and a FF.
  • Tied WE John Abraham for most tackles of the game with nine (six solo) and surpassed 100 tackles in the week 10 loss at CAR.
  • Led the team with 10 tackles (eight solo) and recovered a Drew Brees fumble late in the fourth quarter on the SD 30 yard line in the final three minutes of the week nine loss vs. SD.
  • In the week seven loss at ATL he made nine stops (seven solo) and notched a QB pressure, a PD, a TFL of three yards and his only INT of the season after S Erik Coleman tipped the ball.
  • Credited with 12 tackles (nine solo) in the week six loss at BUF.
  • In the week five win vs. TB he led the team with 14 tackles (11 solo), a QB pressure and a FF.
  • Led the team with 15 tackles (13 solo), one for a loss of four yards in the week four loss at BAL.
  • Credited with a season-high 13 tackles (11 solo) and three TFL totaling seven yards in the week three loss vs. JAX.
  • Tallied 11 tackles, one for a loss, in the week two division win vs. MIA.
  • Led the team with 12 tackles, one for a loss, in the week one loss at KC.

2004 SEASON (JETS)

  • In his rookie season Vilma played in 16 games and made 14 starts finishing the season with the second most tackles on the Club with 118, two sacks, three INT (one returned for a TD), four PD, one FF and one FR. He also added eight special teams' tackles on the season. In the postseason, Vilma recorded 30 tackles (16 solo) and a sack in two starts.
  • Notched a postseason team and career-high 17 tackles in the Jets' third consecutive OT game, a 20-17 Divisional playoff loss at PIT.
  • Started his first postseason game and led the team with 12 tackles and one sack in the Jets' 20-17 OT Wild Card victory at SD. Sacked QB Drew Brees for a five-yard loss in the second quarter. Also added one tackle on special teams.
  • Recorded seven tackles, two PD and an INT in the Jets' regular-season finale, a 32-29 OT loss at STL. Intercepted a QB Marc Bulger pass that was tipped by teammate DE Shaun Ellis and returned it 38 yards for a TD, his first career TD. Also added two tackles on special teams.
  • Led the team in tackles with 11, including one for a loss, and also posted a sack of QB Tom Brady for minus six yards on third-and-three to force a Patriot punt in the Jets' 23-7 game 15 loss to NE.
  • Registered seven tackles and helped the Jets hold their ninth opponent under 100 total yards rushing in the Jets' 37-14 win over SEA.

  

  • Tied for the team lead with 10 tackles and added one QB pressure, one FR and one INT in the game 11 win at ARI. Intercepted a QB Shaun King pass at the Jets' five-yard line and returned it six yards at the beginning of the fourth quarter before recovering a fumble forced by CB David Barrett on the Cardinals' next drive. Also added a tackle on special teams.
  • Ranked second on the team with 14 stops, including one for a loss, in the game eight loss at BUF. Also notched a tackle on special teams.
  • Posted a team-high nine tackles, including two for a loss, in the game seven Monday Night Football victory over MIA.
  • Started at MLB and recorded his first career NFL INT when he picked off a QB Tim Rattay pass on a first-and-ten with 1:44 left to play and returned it 14 yards to end the 49er comeback attempt as the Jets led 15-14. Also added six tackles in the game five win vs. SF.
  • Made his second consecutive career start in place of the injured Sam Cowart and recorded his first NFL career sack of QB Drew Bledsoe for a loss of seven yards. Also tallied nine tackles, including one for a loss, in the game four win over BUF.
  • Notched his first career start at MLB in place of the injured Sam Cowart and tied the team high with seven tackles in the game three win at MIA. Also registered one PD and a QB pressure.
  • Made his professional debut in game one vs. CIN and posted two tackles, including one of RB Rudi Johnson on a misdirection play, along with one special teams tackle.

COLLEGE/HIGH SCHOOL

  • Played in 47 games, starting 37 contests, and recorded 371 tackles (234 solo), three sacks, 30 stops for losses, seven FR, four FF, one INT and 12 PD.
  • His 371 tackles rank seventh on the school's career-record list behind LB Ray Lewis (388, 1993-95), Darrin Smith (401, 1989-92), Michael Barrow (423, 1989-92), Scott Nicholas (456, 1978-80), George Mira Jr. (490, 1984-87) and Dan Morgan (532, 1997-2000).
  • Three-time Academic All-Big East Conference and two-time Butkus Award nominee (semi-finalist in 2002 and finalist in 2003).
  • Selected All-American first-team by The NFL Draft Report, American Football Coaches Association and Walter Camp, added second-team honors from Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press. Also named CoSIDA Academic All-American and All-District choice, added first-team All-Big East Conference and Academic All-Big East choice as a senior.
  • Led the team for the third-straight year with 127 tackles (81 solo), one sack, 12 stops for losses, three PD, a FF and three FR.
  • Unanimous All-Big East Conference and Academic All-Big East first-team choice and a semi-finalist for the Butkus Award as a junior.
  • Selected Verizon Academic All-American and All-District III first-team selection, also named the University of Miami's Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the 2002-03 academic year.
  • Recipient of the 10th Annual Walter Kichefski Football Scholarship Endowment Award, presented annually to the top scholar-athlete of the football program by the Kichefski family and the UM Athletic Hall of Fame.
  • Started every game at MLB as a junior, leading the team with a career-high 133 tackles (75 solos), including two sacks, eight stops for losses, five PD, two FR and a FF while serving as defensive team captain.
  • All-Big East Conference and Academic All-Big East first-team choice as a sophomore.
  • Led team with 79 tackles (49 solo), five PD, an INT, and two FR.
  • Freshman All-American selection by Rivals.com.
  • Recorded 38 tackles (29 solo) and a PD in 10 games.
  • Made his collegiate debut with a season-high 10 tackles (eight solo) vs. McNeese State.
  • Listed as the No. 83 overall prospect in Florida by Super Prep while attending Coral Gables (Fla.) High.
  • Credited with 11 sacks and 138 tackles as a senior.
  • Set a school record with 109 solo tackles as a senior.
  • Miami Herald Class 6A-5A All-Dade first-team selection.
  • Rated the sixth-best overall player in Dade County and 20th-best player in the state of Florida by the Miami Herald.
  • Named the No. 4 outside linebacker in Florida by the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list.
  • Regarded as one of the nation's top-60 players by Florida Prep Football.
  • Three-year letter winner and two-year team captain in football.

OFF-THE-FIELD

  • Majored in Finance.
  • Son of Fritz Vilma and Nelly Banatte.
  • Born Jonathan Polynice Vilma.
  • Resides in Coral Gables, FL.