Buckeye Bits: Will be in his second year as a starter in 2007 and a possible All-American candidate ... Ohio State's next standout at the "Leo" or drop end position like Will Smith and Mike Kudla before him ... was recruited as a linebacker and now puts those skills and speed to use when rushing the quarterback or dropping into coverage ... suffered a hand injury in the 2005 season opener against Miami (Ohio) and wound up being redshirted ... had a very impressive freshman year in which he played in six games ... took part in spring drills in 2006 and showed no lingering effects from the hand injury ... can play any of the four down lineman positions ... an excellent pass rusher with his combination of size and speed ... bench presses 455 pounds and is one of the strongest players on the team ... had an excellent spring and the coaches were right when they predicted he could be a major factor in 2006.

2006 (Sophomore): Earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the league's coaches and media ... started all 13 games ... 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage led the team and his 49 tackles led OSU's defensive front (sixth overall) ... those 15 stops accounted for 86 yards in losses and his 7.5 quarterback sacks, which ranked second on the team, resulted in a team-high 66 yards in losses ... snagged his first collegiate interception in the win over Bowling Green when he dropped into coverage along the OSU sideline and stepped in front of a Falcon aerial, which he returned eight yards ... had career-high seven tackles vs. Penn State ... had three or more tackles in eight games ... had two tackles-for-loss in four different games and his career-best 25 yards in losses came in 1.5 such stops vs. Indiana ... had two quarterback sacks in the win at Northwestern ... named OSU's defensive attack force player of the week after the win vs. Penn State and the team's defensive player of the week after the win over Bowling Green.

2005 (Redshirt): Suffered a broken left hand in the season opener ... was not ready to return until mid October and was redshirted ... was in contention for a starting spot before being hurt ... was able to practice in the spring and significantly improved all aspects of his game during those 15 practices.

2004 (Freshman): Recruited as a linebacker, but was switched to defensive end shortly after reporting to fall camp, a move designed to shore up the Buckeyes' defensive front which had lost three of its four starters to the National Football League ... impressed the coaches with his quick grasp of the game and overall athletic ability ... gradually played his way on to the depth chart and moved up to the No. 2 spot behind Mike Kudla ... made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Cincinnati ... also saw action against North Carolina State, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State and Oklahoma State ... three minutes against Iowa was his longest appearance of the year.

High School: Was a dominant player in high school and considered one of the top defensive prospects in the Midwest ... totaled 75 tackles, including six sacks, as a senior ... also an all-state selection as an offensive guard his senior year.

Personal: Son of Cheryl Gholston (his father is deceased) ... has a younger brother, Brandon, who is a high school senior ... enjoys working out, playing all sports and traveling (has been on a cruise and likes beaches and tropical climates).