Will Gholston Enjoying Giant Lessons
August 4th, 2014
Monstrous second-year defensive end Will Gholston has few peers in the NFL at his position. Joe’s talking sheer size.
Gholston stands 6-foot-6 and he’s a chiseled 280 pounds, and looks more rocked up than last year. He told Joe his fierce workout regimen brought him to training camp at 280 pounds but only 10.1 percent body fat.
That’s all nice, but being that big with long arms at defensive end presents unique advantages and challenges. In the past, Gholston said, he didn’t have anyone to talk to about the nuances of playing at his great size. But that’s changed. The Bucs signed free agent Michael Johnson (6-7, 265), and Gholston now has a mentor.
“I can look at him and ask him, ‘Does this work for you?'” Gholston said. “It’s a whole lot easier to be able to talk to somebody that’s about 6-7, 6-6, at the same time. And he’s a cool guy.”
Gholston went on to say he hasn’t learned much new this season other than a few different techniques. But he said the new coaching staff has an approach that gets more out of players.
Only a winning a starting job will satisfy Gholston, he said.
August 4th, 2014 at 11:47 am
I am really pulling for this guy to rip a starting job. I can’t wait to start seeing what it starts to look like this Friday!!
Go Bucs, and Go Beer!!!
August 4th, 2014 at 11:48 am
I’m just hoping somebody steps up at LDE and completes this D-Line. Lots of hope for Gholston
August 4th, 2014 at 11:54 am
He will rotante this year.
Start next year as we let Adrian Clayborne sign with a 3-4 team. I can really see Clayborne in Pittsburgh, Ravens, or Jets. He is a nice 3-4 DE.
Gholston will rotante with Clayborne and Bowers this year and get reps at DT for McDonald.
Gholston will play ALOT this year.
I think DE’s dont need to worry about starting, they need to worry about getting sacks.
The SEAHAWKS have the right team plan.
They had the BEST defensive line, in terms of talent and depth, that I have EVER seen. The GIANTS won TWO Superbowls because of amazing D-Line depth.
ITS ABOUT FRESHNESS.
D-Lineman are the rarest men in the world. SIZE, SPEED, STRENGTH, STAMINA.
Its hard to have all 4.
Stamina is a big deal, and so are injuries.
No depth. No rings. Bottom line.
August 4th, 2014 at 12:13 pm
Bold prediction… Gholston breaks out and starts a few games in.
August 4th, 2014 at 12:36 pm
He’s already better than Vernin.
August 4th, 2014 at 12:45 pm
It is encouraging as all get out to have a player like Gholston in the Bucs fold.
August 4th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
280 at 10% body fat is just sick
I can remember the first time I saw this guy playing at MSU — i think it was a game against Purdue — and he was just dominating. I remember thinking to myself “if you could chisel a DE out of granite, that is what he’d look like.”
I think this guys going to be a stud in this league. Very excited to see him this yr
August 4th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
2nd strings offensive Jaguars lookout! Gholston will be serving pancakes.
4 more days!
August 4th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
@joe – As I read this story I couldn’t help wondering about our own “Freak” – Simeon Rice.
Has anyone heard about the Spaceman, has anyone reached out to him? Gholston’s reference to his fierce workout regimine reminded me of Simeon Rice committing to an off-season routine many NFL stars simply couldn’t handle out in the desert.
I’d find it interesting to learn if any from Lovie’s (or the Glazer’s) staff have reached out to a foundation of those great Buccaneer defenses that many seem to be forgetting?
August 4th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Hope this guy starts came on strong late last yr guess we will see
August 4th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
@WhiteTiger
Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com interviewed Simeon Rice at the HOF ceremony. The vid should still be on the team sit and you’d be surprised as Rice looks like he can still go, one of my favorite players as a kid his sack rate is ridiculous.
I think Gholston can play his way into a bigger role this year starting Friday, I’m just curious to see wether he gets any reps inside as a possible pass-rush specialist, picture above shows he can clog a passing lane.
August 4th, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Gholston was good inside and out last year and is starter quality. Let Claiborne rotate with him!!!
August 4th, 2014 at 8:07 pm
I see Gholston developing in to a very important part of our D Line.
August 5th, 2014 at 5:10 pm
@white tiger, saw simeon in canton this weekend, he looks like he might still be able to outlast\outplay daquan bowers. i loved watching that guy come around the edge and swipe the ball right out of the QB’s hand. the sack\fumble is my favorite play in football and with johnson firing off one side and maybe gholston on the other, it may be a staple in Tampa Bay once again