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THADDEUS GIBSON
Outside Linebacker
Ohio State Buckeyes
6:02.0-243
Euclid, Ohio
Euclid High School
4th Round – 116th Overall
OVERVIEW
Gibson helped keep the Buckeyes in contention for the national championship in 2009 as Ohio State improved from their 18th-place ranking vs. the run in 2008 (110.23 ypg.) to seventh last season (90.77 ypg), showing an ability to excel in both run and pass situations. With the 3-4 defensive alignment becoming increasingly popular in the NFL, Gibson could make a smooth transition back to his original position, as he was recruited to play linebacker and competed as a reserve on the outside during his freshman campaign. His range and foot speed saw him not only make 13 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2009, but he held opponents trying to run into his area to an average of 1.3 yards per carry in 2009.
Gibson was a coveted pass rusher coming out of Euclid High School, where he was twice named All-Ohio and to the *Cleveland Plain Dealer *"Best of the Best" all-star team. The Big 33 Game selection was also named the Cleveland Touchdown Club's 2005 Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior, Gibson registered 39 total tackles, 10 quarterback sacks and eight stops behind the line of scrimmage, as he also totaled 24 quarterback pressures. He posted 50 tackles, 17 sacks, 22 pressures and two interceptions as a junior. He also excelled as a forward on the school's basketball team.
After contributing on the scout team in 2005, Gibson began to show flashes in limited playing time during the 2006 season. He played in nine contests as a reserve outside linebacker, finishing with 11 tackles (8 solos), collecting his first career sack vs. Wisconsin. He also had three stops for loss and a forced fumble. During the 2008 off-season, Gibson bulked up from 228 to 240 pounds for a move to the defensive line. When injuries hit the front wall early in the year, he was inserted into the lineup at right defensive end, with Cameron Heyward shifting inside to tackle. Heyward commanded double team action, freeing Gibson to register five sacks and nine stops behind the line of scrimmage. He posted 26 tackles and showed off his sudden burst when he scooped up a fumble and raced 69 yards for a touchdown in the Michigan State clash. Heyward moved back to right defensive end in 2009, with Gibson shifting to the left side. The junior received All-Big Ten Conference honors, as he totaled 13 stops for loss that included four sacks. He tallied 45 tackles, picked off a pass and caused a pair of fumbles while recovering two others.
CAREER NOTES
Gibson started 23-of-35 games at Ohio State – 13 at left defensive end and 10 on the right side…finished his career with 82 tackles (49 solos), 10 sacks for minus 55 yards and 25.0 stops for losses totaling 86 yards…his 13 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2009 tied for 24th on the school season-record list with several others, most recently by All-American linebacker A.J. Hawk (2003)…caused five fumbles and recovered three others, returning one 69 yards for a touchdown…deflected four passes and gained five yards on one interception return.
2009 SEASON
All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection by the league's coaches…moved to left defensive end, starting every game…recorded 45 tackles (27 solos) with four sacks for minus 21 yards, as his 13.0 stops for losses of 38 yards tied for 24th on the school season-record list…added a QB pressure, a pass deflection and a five-yard interception return…recovered and caused a pair of fumbles…helped the team rank seventh in the nation vs. the run (90.77 ypg.), fifth in total defense (262.31 ypg.) and fifth in scoring defense (12.54 ppg.)…in addition to his 13 stops for loss, he brought down ball carriers at the line of scrimmage for no gain on five other attempts…in 46 running plays he was involved in, those runners managed just 60 yards (1.30 ypc) and five first downs, as he delivered eight third-down stops vs. the ground attack and three more in passing situations.
2008 SEASON
Named to The NFL Draft Report's Sophomore All-American second-team…recipient of the Agonis/Rick Meyer Award from the Ohio State coaching staff…started the final 10 games at right defensive end, helping the team rank sixth in the nation in scoring defense (13.92 ppg.), as the defense held opponents to an average of 293.77 yards per game, third-best in the conference…registered 26 tackles (14 solos) that included five sacks for minus 27 yards and nine stops for losses totaling 38 yards…deflected one pass and caused two fumbles…recovered a fumble that he advanced 69 yards for a touchdown.
2007 SEASON
The reserve outside linebacker saw most of his playing time with the special team units, recording 11 tackles (eight solos)…caused a fumble vs. Wisconsin when he sacked QB Tyler Donovan in the Wisconsin clash…had three tackles, including one for a loss in his collegiate debut vs. Youngstown State.
2006 SEASON
Redshirted as a freshman, participating on the scout team.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Euclid (Oh.) High School, where he was twice named All-Ohio and to the *Cleveland Plain Dealer *"Best of the Best" all-star team…The Big 33 Game selection was also named the Cleveland Touchdown Club's 2005 Defensive Player of the Year…as a senior, registered 39 total tackles, 10 quarterback sacks and eight stops behind the line of scrimmage, as he also totaled 24 quarterback pressures…posted 50 tackles, 17 sacks, 22 pressures and two interceptions as a junior…also excelled as a forward on the school's basketball team.
PERSONAL
African and African-American Studies major…Son of Gwendolyn Gibson…Born 10/21/87…Resides in Euclid, Ohio.
