Olivier Vernon Selected by Miami in Third Round
April 27, 2012
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Olivier Vernon has been drafted to the Miami Dolphins, the 16th Cane to go to Dolphins in school history and the 27th defensive end drafted in UM history.
Vernon is the first Cane off the board as the ninth pick of the third round and 72nd selection overall.
The 6-4 Vernon played three years for the Canes, starting 16 of the 30 contests in which he competed. Vernon finished his UM career with 82 total tackles, including 51 solo stops, nine sacks, 21 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumbled recovered.
VERNON at MIAMI
2011 (JUNIOR): Played in six contests, earning starts in the final three games of the season … Finished the year with 18 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss … Also recorded 1.5 sacks … Had his best game of the year against Florida State, finishing with a season-high five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss … Recovered a fumble against Duke.
2010 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 13 games, starting 11 … Second on the team, and 11th in the ACC with 6.0 sacks … Fourth on the team in tackles for loss with 10.5 … Had a team season-high 3.5 sacks in the season opener against Florida A&M … Also recorded a season-high seven tackles against the Rattlers.
2009 (FRESHMAN): Played in 11 games, garnering two starts first at Virginia Tech and against Wisconsin … One of three true freshmen (along with FB Mike James and CB Brandon McGee) to play in double-digit games for the Hurricanes … Ranked third among UM defensive linemen with 25 total tackles … Tallied 12 total tackles in UM’s first three games (at FSU, vs. Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech) … Recorded 5.0 tackles for a loss, including three in win over eventual ACC Champion Georgia Tech … Also had a half a sack against the Yellow Jackets … Had two quarterback hurries against Duke in UM’s home finale … Tallied five total tackles in the Hurricanes’ regular season finale at USF … Also had a career-high four solo tackles against Wisconsin in Champs Sports Bowl.
HIGH SCHOOL: Enrolled in January … No. 9 best defensive end prospect according to Scout.com and Rivals.com and No. 16 defensive end by ESPN.com … As a sophomore, picked up 42 tackles and seven sacks, and as a junior recorded 52 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 21 tackles for losses and three fumble recoveries … Named to the Mobile Super Southeast 120.
VERNON’S HIGHLIGHT REEL
CANES DRAFTED BY THE MIAMI DOLPHINS
Vernon Carey, OL (2004, 1st Round, 19th pick)
Yatil Green, WR (1997, 1st Round, 15th pick)
Jessie Armstead, LB (1993, 8th Round, 207th pick)
Randal Hill, WR (1991, 1st Round, 23rd pick)
Roland Smith, DB (1991, 8th Round, 220th pick)
Bobby Harden, DB (1990, 12th Round, 315th pick)
Melvin Bratton, RB (1988, 6th Round, 150th pick)
Jay Brophy, LB (1984, 2nd Round, 53rd pick)
Bob Nelson, DT (1982, 5th Round, 112th pick)
Mike Rodrigue, WR (1982, 12th Round 331st pick)
Tom Smith, RB (1973, 7th)
Joe Mirto, T (1968, 10th)*
Ken Corbin, LB (1968, 15th)*
Tom Beier, DB (1967, 10th)*
Ed Weisacosky, LB (1966, 6th)*
*AFL Draft selection
