National Football Foundation

Terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, Miami's Jonathan Vilma has established himself as one of the nation's top linebackers. Off the field, his academics parallel few while his community involvement continues to grow.

A First Team Academic All-America and All-District III selection in 2002, Vilma is a member of the Provost's and Athletics Director's Honor Rolls and the UM Dean's List. A two-time Academic All-BIG EAST Conference pick, he has twice been named an Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar and received the 10th Annual Walter Kichefski Football Scholarship Endowment Award, presented annually to the top scholar-athlete in the football program. 

A two-time unanimous First Team All-Conference selection, Vilma has led the team in tackles in each of the last two seasons and was a Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker) semifinalist in 2002. Anchoring the Miami defense, Vilma has helped lead the team to a 42-2 record in his tenure, including the 2001 National Championship. A Bronko Nagurski Award (nation's top defensive player), Butkus Award, BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-America candidate, he has amassed 250 career tackles and 20 tackles for a loss. 

A motivational speaker at local schools, Vilma has participated in the Thanksgiving Dinner Delivery, Hall of Champions Dinner, Youth Football Clinic, Annual DARE Softball Game, Fireman Corporate Challenge and numerous other charitable events. He was selected with the 12th overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New York Jets and earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after tallying 107 total tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. 

Vilma registered 432 total tackles in 53 starts for the Jets from 2004-07, including a league-leading 169 in 2005. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection following the 2005 season. After the 2007 season, the Jets traded him to the New Orleans Saints. Vilma played six seasons in New Orleans, accumulating 439 total tackles, eight sacks and six interceptions. In 2009, he led the Saints to a Super Bowl title and earned his second Pro Bowl selection. 

In 10 seasons in the NFL, Vilma recorded 870 total tackles, 10.5 sacks and 12 interceptions. He currently serves as a analyst for Notre Dame football broadcasts on NBC. He started The Jonathan Vilma Foundation after the 2010 Haiti earthquake to help assist with the rebuilding efforts in Haiti.