* Linebackers Coach Keith Butler on Worilds - Transcript - Video* Worilds Conference Call - Transcript - AudioJASON WORILDS
Outside LinebackerVirginia Polytechnic (Tech) Institute Hokies6:02.1-262Carteret, New JerseyCarteret High School
OVERVIEW
Jason Worilds is the latest in the Hokies' long tradition of pass rushers at Virginia Tech, but he may be one of the most athletic. In 41 games, he had 15.5 sacks, 75 pressures, 34.5 tackles for loss and caused five fumbles. In 2009, he joined Darryl Tapp (35 in 2005) and Chris Ellis (38 in 2007) as the only Hokies to register more than 30 QB pressures in a season during the coach Frank Beamer era. There is much more to Worilds' game than just attacking the quarterback. He has proven to be a very capable run stuffer. In 117 run plays, he limited the opposition to just 44 yards, an average of 0.38 yards per attempt. No running back has ever scored against him since he joined the varsity for two games as a freshman. On those 117 plays, he stopped those runners for a loss 43 times, took down ball carriers at the line of scrimmage for no gain 14 times, made 25 third-down hits and three more on fourth-down snaps. Worilds has made 84 plays vs. the aerial attack, as the opposition completed just 10 of those attempts (11.90 pass completion percentage) for 62 yards, which translates to 6.2 yards per completion and 0.74 yards per attempt, the lowest figure for any major college down lineman. He delivered 30 third-down stops and three more on fourth down.
At Carteret High School, Worilds became the first player in school history to receive all-state first-team honors in consecutive seasons. The Super Prep and Prep Star All-American selection was rated the seventh-best strong-side defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com and was ranked eighth at his position in the country by Scout.com. He picked up Associated Press all-state honors twice as a defensive end, but also competed as a fullback and outside linebacker. He also competed as a sprinter and in the weight events for the school's track team. The Rivals-250 selection as a senior, Worilds registered 107 tackles, including 10.0 sacks and 18 other stops for loss that season. He added four fumble recoveries, as he forced five fumbles and came up with one interception. On offense, he collected 468 yards on the ground as a fullback, scoring 11 touchdowns. Against Perth Amboy, he amassed 183 yards on 11 carries with two TDs, adding two sacks, three stops for loss and caused a fumble that he recovered for another score. As a junior, he delivered 87 tackles, along with 12.0 sacks and 22 stops behind the line of scrimmage to garner first-team all-state accolades. He also scored four times while picking up 330 yards on 61 carries that season. He would close out his gridiron career with 15 touchdowns and 849 yards on the ground, recording 292 tackles with 31 sacks, 42 stops for loss, 14 forced fumbles and three interceptions. Recruited by Virginia Tech, Jason went by the surname of Adjepong as a freshman, but legally changed his last name to Worilds in the summer of 2007. In 2006, he appeared in the team's first two games vs. Northeastern and North Carolina as a reserve at weak-side defensive end, recording four tackles and two pressures. The first-year player also advanced a blocked punt seven yards vs. UNC. He was granted a medical hardship, missing the rest of the schedule after undergoing right shoulder surgery. In 2007, he appeared in 13 games. He shifted to the boundary side and ranked fourth on the squad with 14 pressures. The redshirt freshman also posted 17 tackles (nine solos) with 2.5 sacks and 4.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Worilds garnered All-ACC second-team honors in 2008. He ranked third in the conference with a team-high eight sacks and also paced the Hokies with 18.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 21 pressures. He blocked a field goal, caused three fumbles and also broke up one pass to help the team rank seventh in the nation, as Tech allowed just 279.43 yards per game. Called the team's "Most Important Player" by the Hokies' defensive captain and fellow defensive end, Orion Martin, Worilds was largely responsible for the 2008 squad's dominance in the trenches. From 240 pounds two seasons prior, Worilds arrived at 2009 fall camp a muscular 262-pounder. The preseason All-American continued his stellar play. He finished the campaign with 50 tackles, along with 5.0 sacks, 11.5 stops for loss and a forced fumble. His 38 quarterback pressures are the most of any major college defensive player.
CAREER NOTES
Started 25-of-41 games, recording 133 tackles (64 solos) with 15.5 sacks for minus 113 yards, 34.5 stops for losses totaling 165 yards and 75 pressures, caused five fumbles, deflected two passes, returned a blocked punt 7 yards and blocked one field goal attempt…on 117 plays vs. the ground game, he has held those ball carriers to just 44 yards (0.38 ypc) and no TDs, as he made 25 third-down stops and three more on fourth-down while allowing just nine first downs vs. the rushing attack…registered 43 total tackles (assist/solos) for loss and stopped ball carriers at the line of scrimmage 14 times, delivering 19 of those hits inside the red zone, including eight on goal line plays…in pass protection, teams managed to complete only 10-of-84 passes targeted into his area (11.90 pass completion percentage) for 62 yards and no touchdowns, an average of 6.2 yards per pass completion and 0.74 yards per pass attempt, as he was credited with 30 third-down stops and three more on fourth-down, giving up just two first downs vs. the aerial game…his 38 QB pressures in 2009 led the major college ranks, as he joined Darryl Tapp (35 in 2005) and Chris Ellis (38 in 2007) as the only Hokies to produce 30 or more pressures in a season during the Frank Beamer era (1987-present).
2009 SEASON
All-America third-team and All-ACC first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report…earned second-team All-ACC accolades from the league's coaches and media…rated as the second-best defensive end in college football by CBS Sports…named the ACC preseason Defensive Player of the Year by various news services and football publications…made 50 tackles (16 solos) with 5.0 sacks for minus 31 yards, 11.5 stops for losses of 46 yards and led the nation with a school record-tying 38 quarterback pressures…also caused a fumble…made 49 plays vs. the run, limiting those ball carriers to 436 yards (0.88 ypc) and just six first downs, as he made 12 of those hits on third-down plays and another on fourth down…took down 14 runners for loss and three others at the line of scrimmage for no gain…on 39 passes targeted into his area, the opposition failed to complete any of those attempts, as Worilds posted 19 third-down stops and
two others on fourth down plays vs. the aerial game…posted 13 tackles inside the red zone, with five coming on goal-line plays…his 38 pressures tied the Tech season-record that was first set by Chris Ellis in 2007.
2008 SEASON
Played in 13 games, starting all but the Georgia Tech contest at boundary-side defensive end…participated in 640 defensive plays and 61 more on special teams, as he recorded 64 tackles (37 solos), fourth-best on the squad…ranked third in the ACC with a team-high eight sacks for minus 66 yards, as he also paced the Hokies with 18.5 tackles for losses totaling 93 yards and 21 pressures…caused four fumbles, including two that led to Tech TDs…deflected one pass and blocked a field goal…against the running game, he produced 55 tackles, as the opposition gained 16 yards (0.29 ypc) on those plays, with Worilds delivering 11 third-down stops and two more on fourth-down snaps…stopped runners for loss on 21 total plays (solos/assists) and took down ball carriers at the line of scrimmage for no gain nine times…two of his pressures caused interceptions, as the defensive end made 25 plays vs. the pass, with the opposition completing just five of those attempts for 38 yards, an average of 7.6 yards per pass completion and 1.52 yards per pass attempt…gave up just three first downs all year, one vs. the run and two vs. the pass…blocked a field goal attempt versus Boston College.
2007 SEASON
Appeared in 13 contests, missing the William & Mary clash after spraining his ankle the previous week vs. Ohio University…earned the Excalibur Award, the top honor given to the best performer in Tech's strength and conditioning program…recipient of the George Preas Award as the defensive MVP of spring practice…changed his last name to Worilds…ranked fourth on the team with 14 pressures…registered 17 tackles (9 solos) with 2.5 sacks for minus 16 yards and 4.5 stops for losses totaling 26 yards…on 13 running plays directed at him, Worilds stopped those ball carriers for a loss six times and twice took them down at the line of scrimmage for no gain, as he held the opposition to minus 12 yards (-0.92 ypc)…on 20 pass plays in his territory, the opposition completed just five tosses for 24 yards (25.0 pass completion percentage) and one first down, holding those receivers to an average of 4.8 yards per pass completion and 1.2 yards per pass attempt…delivered four third-down hits, two apiece vs. the run and pass.
2006 SEASON
Played in the team's first two games vs. Northeastern and North Carolina before under-going season-ending surgery…granted a medical hardship, he finished with four tackles and a pair of quarterback pressures…recovered a blocked punt that he returned seven yards versus North Carolina.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Carteret (N.J.) High School…became the first player in school history to receive all-state first-team honors in consecutive seasons…The Super Prep and Prep Star All-American selection was rated the seventh-best strong-side defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com and was ranked eighth at his position in the country by Scout.com…added Associated Press all-state honors twice as a defensive end, but also competed as a fullback and outside linebacker…competed as a sprinter and in the weight events for the school's track team…the Rivals-250 selection as a senior, Worilds registered 107 tackles that included 10.0 sacks and 18 other stops for loss that season, adding four fumble recoveries, as he forced five fumbles and came up with one interception…on offense, he collected 468 yards on the ground as a fullback, scoring 11 touchdowns…against Perth Amboy, amassed 183 yards on 11 carries that included two TDs, adding two sacks, three stops for loss and caused a fumble that he recovered for another score…as a junior, he delivered 87 tackles, along with 12.0 sacks and 22 stops behind the line of scrimmage to garner first-team All-State accolades…also scored four times while picking up 330 yards on 61 carries that season…closed out his gridiron career with 15 touchdowns and 849 yards on the ground, recording 292 tackles with 31 sacks, 42 stops for loss, 14 forced fumbles and three interceptions.
PERSONAL
Apparel, Housing and Resource Management/Consumer Studies major…went by Jason Adjepong as a freshman but legally changed his last name to Worilds in the summer of 2007…son of Sandra Worilds…born Jason Adjepong Worilds on 3/03/88 in Rahway, New Jersey…resides in Carteret, New Jersey.
