Jonathan Vilma totaled 260 tackles during his junior and senior seasons with the Hurricanes.

Years: 2000-03

Position: Linebacker

The Buzz: Once considered undersized, Vilma overcame his shortcomings to become one of the Hurricanes' finest defenders. A first-round selection by the New York Jets in 2004, he won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints and has been to two Pro Bowls.

Stats: Vilma led the Hurricanes in tackles his final three seasons. He totaled 260 tackles in his junior and senior years.

Honors: He earned first-team All-Big East honors twice and was a finalist for the Butkus Award in 2003. Vilma was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004.

Great moment: In 2005, Vilma led the NFL with 169 tackles.

Quote: "He has great instincts. The coach will put something on the board, and by the time we get out there, he'll never make a mistake. So I just watch him work, how he studies film. Mental reps. After Coach says it to him, he'll say it over and over and over again until it sticks in his head." — former teammate D.J. Williams, in 2003

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