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WHAT HE DID Vilbert took up football only a few years ago, but once he began seeing extensive action, he quickly estab- lished himself as a major-college prospect. As a senior playing in one of New Jersey's toughest leagues, he totaled 45 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks, and helped St. Joseph Regional win the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 state title. Prior to his senior year, he only played in three games. Of the >ve total tackles he made in those games, four were for a loss of yards. WHAT HE WON Vilbert received three stars from Rivals.com and is the 19th- ranked prospect in New Jersey. He was a third-team All-State and second-team All-North Jersey selection as a senior. WHERE HE VISITED Penn State began showing an interest in Vilbert this past summer. He took an unoAcial visit to Uni- versity Park in late September for the Nit- tany Lions' game against Ohio State, and he received a scholarship o@er in early No- vember. Also in November, Vilbert took an oAcial visit to Oregon. But in early De- cember, he took his oAcial visit to Penn State, and that trip made the Nittany Lions the team to beat. He opted not to sign dur- ing the early period, and he went on to take an oAcial visit to Florida in mid-January. On Jan. 18, though, Vilbert announced that he would be joining Penn State's class. All told, he received 19 scholarship o@ers, in- cluding o@ers from Boston College, Florida State, Baylor, Maryland, Miami, Nebraska, North Carolina and Pitt. QUOTABLE Augie Ho@man, St. Joseph coach: "Smith came out as a junior and played for us up until basketball season started, so that's why I always tell people that his senior year was basically his >rst true year of football. His athleticism is in- credible. That's what really separates him. He's also a tough kid. A lot of kids who play for the >rst time can be timid physically, but that was never the case with him. He never shied away from con- tact and was always trying to learn more and get better. He's a great kid who has so much potential to grow and get better." PHIL'S TAKE Vilbert is listed at 6-foot- 5, 243 pounds, but over the next few years, I think it's realistic to imagine him developing into a 270-pound strongside defensive end. He has been playing football for only two years, so there is room for improvement with his funda- mentals. But he might have the most upside potential of any member of Penn State's Class of 2019. Even at his present size, Vilbert has an advanced and effec- tive outside pass rush. Now he needs to learn how to use his hands to disengage from blocks. Considering how much depth Penn State has built at both de- fensive end positions, I expect Vilbert to end up redshirting as a true freshman this fall. ■ GREEN WAVE In his only full varsity season at St. Joseph, Vilbert totaled 45 tackles, in- cluding nine sacks. Photo courtesy of Rivals.com P L A Y E R B I O S Rivals.com SMITH VILBERT RIVALS ★★★ | POS DE | HT 6-5 | WT 243 | HOME Spring Valley, N.Y. | SCHOOL St. Joseph Regional (N.J.)

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