National Football League

Jets converting former No. 1 pick Gholston to DE

Published Apr. 25, 2010 12:19 a.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Jets are converting former No. 1 draft pick Vernon Gholston into a defensive end after two disappointing years at outside linebacker.

Gholston was the sixth overall pick in 2008 but failed to become the impact player the Jets envisioned as a hybrid linebacker-defensive end. The Jets plan to have Gholston back up veteran Shaun Ellis and get more athletic at the position.

``That's going to be something that we look forward to,'' coach Rex Ryan said after the draft Saturday. ``So, that's why I never felt that it was a need to jump up and take a defensive end (in the draft) when our plan all along was to put Vernon in a position where he can be successful. I think we did that.''

Ryan added that the recent signing of Jason Taylor, who'll provide a pass-rushing presence as a linebacker in the Jets' 3-4 defensive scheme, enabled the team to make the move with Gholston.

The former Ohio State star has not gotten a sack in a regular-season game after setting the Buckeyes' single-season mark with 14 as a senior in 2007. He was sidelined two games last season with a strained hamstring, finishing with 14 tackles in 14 regular-season games.