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Matt Wilhelm
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Matthew Wilhelm (born February 2, 1981) is an American former professional football player who is a radio/TV football analyst.
Key Information
He was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons during the early 2000s. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning both a BCS National Championship and consensus All-American honors in 2002. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft, also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers of the NFL, and was a member of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV championship team that beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. After his retirement from football, he worked for several years as a TV and radio football analyst for various Cleveland stations
Early life
[edit]Wilhelm was born in Oberlin, Ohio, and grew up in Lorain, Ohio. He attended Elyria Catholic High School in Elyria, Ohio. He amassed 100 tackles, 26 for loss, and 11 sacks as a senior, and was named a first-team All-Ohio selection. He also played tight end and running back.[1] In 2002, his high school retired his No. 34 jersey.
College career
[edit]Wilhelm attended Ohio State University, and played for coach John Cooper and coach Jim Tressel's Ohio State Buckeyes football teams from 1999 to 2002. Wilhelm was moved to middle linebacker before his sophomore season and started every game. In his first game as a starter against Fresno State, Wilhelm intercepted a David Carr pass and ran it 25 yards for a touchdown.[2] The following year, he earned the Randy Gradishar Award as the team's top linebacker and made all of the defensive calls. As a senior in 2002, Wilhelm was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American,[3] and helped his team win a BCS National Championship with a team-leading 11 tackles in a 31–24 Fiesta Bowl victory over the Miami Hurricanes. Wilhelm ended the year with a career-high 121 tackles and ended his career with the 6th most career tackles for loss for Ohio State all-time.[4]
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Wonderlic | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3+3⁄4 in (1.92 m) |
245 lb (111 kg) |
33 in (0.84 m) |
10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) |
4.79 s | 35 in (0.89 m) |
9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) |
27 | |||||
| Wonderlic and arm and hand spans were taken at the NFL Scouting Combine; all other measurables were taken at Pro Day.[5][6] | ||||||||||||
San Diego Chargers
[edit]Wilhelm was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft with the 112th overall pick.[7] He spent the first four years of his career mostly on special teams and as a backup. In 2007, he became a full-time starter after Donnie Edwards signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was released by the Chargers on July 24, 2009.
Philadelphia Eagles
[edit]Wilhelm was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on August 4, 2009, after starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley suffered a season-ending knee injury. He was waived on September 5, 2009.
San Francisco 49ers
[edit]
Wilhelm was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on October 19, 2009, after reserve linebacker Jeff Ulbrich was placed on injured reserve. He was re-signed to a one-year contract on March 4, 2010. He was cut on September 3, 2010.
Green Bay Packers
[edit]Wilhelm was signed by the Green Bay Packers on October 26, 2010.
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2003 | SDG | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | SDG | 7 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | SDG | 16 | 0 | 31 | 25 | 6 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | SDG | 16 | 0 | 26 | 19 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | SDG | 14 | 14 | 97 | 74 | 23 | 1.0 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | SDG | 16 | 7 | 51 | 41 | 10 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | SFO | 11 | 1 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | GNB | 7 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 89 | 22 | 243 | 187 | 56 | 2.0 | 7 | 6 | 29 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
Playoffs
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2004 | SDG | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | SDG | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | SDG | 3 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | SDG | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | GNB | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | 2 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Retirement
[edit]After winning Super Bowl XLV as a member of the Packers, Wilhelm decided to retire from the NFL. In 2013, he was hired by Cleveland radio station WKNR AM 850 to be a football analyst, co-host of Cleveland Browns Daily, and serve as a co-host for the station's Ohio State Buckeyes pregame show. He also appears on Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS-TV 5 as a Buckeyes and Browns analyst.[8][9]
In 2016, Wilhelm's hometown paper, The Morning Journal, changed the name of its annual high school football Player of the Year award to The Matt Wilhelm Award in recognition of Wilhelm's lifetime of football achievements.[10]
In 2017, Wilhelm was announced as a member of the 2017 Lorain Sports Hall of Fame class.[11]
Awards and honors
[edit]High school
[edit]- 1998 All-Ohio First-team
College
[edit]- 2002 All-Big Ten First-team
- 2002 Consensus All-American
- 2002 National Championship (as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes)
NFL
[edit]- Super Bowl XLV winner (as a member of the Green Bay Packers)
References
[edit]- ^ CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports Archived 2007-02-17 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ NCAA Football - Fresno State vs. Ohio State
- ^ 2011 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 23, 2012.
- ^ Chargers.com - Team » Roster » #57 Matt Wilhelm | LB Archived 2007-06-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Matt Wilhelm prospect profile". NFL. Archived from the original on June 18, 2003.
- ^ "Matt Wilhelm College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
- ^ "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ Wilhelm's post playing career - Lake County News Herald[dead link]
- ^ Wilhelm on WEWS - Twitter.com
- ^ Behm, Jon. "High school football: Introducing the Matt Wilhelm award". Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ "Lorain Sports Hall of Fame announces 2017 class". Retrieved May 3, 2017.
External links
[edit]- Green Bay Packers bio[dead link]
Media related to Matt Wilhelm at Wikimedia Commons
Matt Wilhelm
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background and childhood
Matt Wilhelm was born on February 2, 1981, in Oberlin, Ohio, to parents Roger and Ruth Wilhelm.[5] He was raised in Lorain, Ohio, in Lorain County, where his family provided a supportive environment centered on hard work, education, and athletics.[5] His father, Roger, worked as a construction inspector and prevailing wage coordinator in Lorain's Community Development Department, while his mother, Ruth, retired from a position at U.S. Steel Corp.[5] Wilhelm grew up with two brothers, Kurt and Zachary, in a household that valued Catholic education and family involvement in sports.[5] His parents enrolled him in local Catholic schools, including St. Peter's and St. Jude, during his elementary and middle school years, fostering both academic development and early participation in community activities.[6] The family drew inspiration from relatives with a history in football, which encouraged Wilhelm's interest in the sport from a young age.[6] Wilhelm's initial exposure to organized football came in fifth grade through a Catholic youth league in Ohio, where his father served as his coach and his older brother Kurt played as a teammate.[7] This family-supported involvement in local leagues and school activities helped shape his passion for the game and commitment to discipline during his pre-high school years.[6]High school career
Matt Wilhelm attended Elyria Catholic High School in Elyria, Ohio, graduating in 1999 after enrolling in 1995.[2] At Elyria Catholic, he was a three-year varsity letterman in football, playing as a two-way starter at linebacker on defense and tight end and running back on offense while earning team MVP honors twice.[2][8][9] As a senior in 1998, Wilhelm led the team in tackles with 100 total, including 26 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, contributing significantly to the Panthers' defensive efforts throughout the season. His standout performance that year earned him selection to the All-Ohio First Team.[2] Wilhelm also excelled in basketball, earning four-year varsity letters, two-time team MVP honors, and leading the team to the Division III Sweet 16 as a senior.[2] Wilhelm's high school achievements drew recruitment interest from several colleges, culminating in his commitment to Ohio State University in February 1999.[10]College career
Ohio State Buckeyes
Matt Wilhelm committed to Ohio State University in 1999 after a distinguished high school career at Elyria Catholic, where he was named a first-team All-Ohio selection as a senior, and received a full athletic scholarship to play for the Buckeyes.[2][10] As a true freshman in 1999 under head coach John Cooper, Wilhelm appeared in 11 games primarily on special teams and as a backup linebacker, tallying 16 tackles, the second-most among Ohio State freshmen that season.[11] He earned a varsity letter in his debut year and transitioned to the Jim Tressel era in 2001, becoming a four-year letterwinner overall from 1999 to 2002.[2] Wilhelm developed into a three-year starter at middle linebacker from 2000 to 2002, anchoring the Buckeyes' defense with his tackling prowess and run-stopping ability.[12] Over his collegiate tenure, he recorded 266 total tackles (180 solo), including 43.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 3 interceptions, contributing significantly to Ohio State's defensive efforts.[11] Under Tressel, he emerged as a key defensive leader, twice winning the Randy Gradishar Award as the team's top linebacker (2001, 2002) and selection to the coaches' All-Big Ten team in 2001.[11][13] Academically, Wilhelm pursued a major in communication while balancing his football commitments at Ohio State.[11] In 2024, Wilhelm was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.[14]2002 national championship
As the starting middle linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes' undefeated 14–0 season in 2002, Matt Wilhelm anchored the defense known as the Silver Bullets, a unit renowned for its aggressive 4-3 scheme under coordinators Mark Dantonio and Tim Walton that emphasized disciplined coverage and timely blitzes to disrupt opposing offenses.[15][16] Wilhelm started all 14 games, leading the team with 121 tackles, including 19.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, while recording two interceptions against high-powered attacks like Purdue and Washington State.[17][18][19] His leadership was pivotal in key stops, such as halting Miami's explosive offense on fourth-and-goal during the BCS National Championship game, contributing to the Buckeyes' stifling defense that limited opponents to just 13 points per game on average.[20][21] Wilhelm's standout performance came in the Fiesta Bowl, the BCS National Championship, where Ohio State defeated the defending champion Miami Hurricanes 31–24 in double overtime. He recorded 11 tackles, helping to contain Miami's star-studded lineup including quarterback Ken Dorsey and wide receiver Andre Johnson, in a game defined by defensive resilience and crucial stands that preserved the Buckeyes' perfect season.[2][22] Earlier in the season, his efforts were instrumental in victories over potent offenses, such as Northwestern and Illinois, where the Silver Bullets forced turnovers and limited big plays to maintain Ohio State's undefeated streak. For his efforts, Wilhelm earned consensus All-American honors as a senior linebacker, the first Ohio State linebacker to do so since Andy Katzenmoyer in 1997.[23] He was also named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, recognizing the nation's top linebacker, and selected to the first-team All-Big Ten.[24][17][25] Reflecting on the championship run, Wilhelm described the experience as "unbelievable," noting how the team's unyielding preparation and mutual trust fostered a camaraderie that turned underdog status into triumph after his earlier collegiate struggles. "I always thought I could play at this level," he said, "but to actually do it and have the success we have had is a dream come true."[17] This bond, evident in post-game rituals like singing the alma mater together, helped the Buckeyes navigate a season of razor-thin margins en route to their first national title since 1968.[26]Professional career
San Diego Chargers
Wilhelm was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, where his All-American honors bolstered his draft stock.[1][3] As a rookie in 2003, Wilhelm served primarily as a special teams contributor, appearing in two games and recording two tackles.[1] In 2004, he expanded his role, recording 13 combined tackles in seven regular-season games, including an interception against divisional rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17, and six tackles in the wild-card playoff victory over the New York Jets.[27] Wilhelm's development continued in 2005, as he appeared in all 16 games as a key reserve linebacker, registering 31 combined tackles (25 solo), one sack against AFC West rival Oakland Raiders in Week 13, one interception versus the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, and one forced fumble—contributing to San Diego's 9-7 record and division title despite missing the playoffs.[28] His 2005 performance marked a career high in production up to that point, underscoring his value in pass defense and run support.[1] In 2006, Wilhelm remained a reliable special teams ace and backup, playing all 16 regular-season games with 26 combined tackles (19 solo) and three passes defended, while adding one solo tackle in the divisional playoff loss to the New England Patriots.[29] Ahead of free agency, he signed a five-year contract extension with the Chargers in December 2006, securing his future with the team that had nurtured his professional growth.[30] In 2007, Wilhelm earned a starting role at inside linebacker, starting all 14 games he played and recording 97 combined tackles (74 solo), three interceptions, and one sack, helping the Chargers to an AFC West title and a divisional playoff appearance.[1] He started seven of 16 games in 2008, tallying 51 combined tackles (41 solo) and one interception, as San Diego again won the division but fell in the divisional playoffs.[1] The Chargers released Wilhelm on July 24, 2009, prior to training camp.[31]Philadelphia Eagles
Matt Wilhelm signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent on August 4, 2009, to provide depth at linebacker following the season-ending knee injury to starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley.[32] The one-year deal brought in the 28-year-old veteran, who had spent the previous six seasons with the San Diego Chargers, where his experience as a starter in 2007 offered immediate leadership potential on special teams and in the linebacker room.[33] Wilhelm's arrival was part of the Eagles' efforts to stabilize their defense under coordinator Sean McDermott, and he quickly adapted from the Chargers' 3-4 scheme to Philadelphia's 4-3 alignment during training camp.[34] During his short stint, Wilhelm focused on competing for a rotational role while contributing on special teams, leveraging his prior NFL tenure to mentor younger players and provide stability amid the team's injury challenges. His transition to the East Coast was abrupt, involving a red-eye flight from California that landed just hours before his physical, highlighting the rapid pace of his relocation from the West Coast lifestyle to Philadelphia's urban environment.[35] Wilhelm was released by the Eagles on September 5, 2009, as part of the team's final roster reductions to meet the 53-player limit before the regular season.[36] The move reflected the competitive depth at linebacker and the Eagles' restructuring priorities during preseason evaluations, ending his brief tenure without any regular-season appearances.[37]San Francisco 49ers
Wilhelm signed with the San Francisco 49ers on October 19, 2009, after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles earlier that month, providing immediate depth at inside linebacker following Jeff Ulbrich's season-ending knee injury.[38] During the 2009 season, Wilhelm appeared in 11 games for the 49ers, starting one, and contributed 18 total tackles (12 solo, 6 assisted) on defense while also playing a key role on special teams units.[1] His versatility helped stabilize the linebacker corps amid injuries, allowing starters like Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes to focus on primary duties during San Francisco's 8-8 campaign under head coach Mike Singletary.[39] On March 4, 2010, the 49ers re-signed Wilhelm to a one-year contract, retaining his veteran experience for the upcoming season.[40] However, he was released on September 3, 2010, as part of the team's final roster cuts during a broader overhaul aimed at integrating younger talent.[41]Green Bay Packers
After being released by the San Francisco 49ers in September 2010, Matt Wilhelm signed with the Green Bay Packers on October 26 as a free agent to bolster linebacker depth following season-ending injuries to Brady Poppinga and Mike Neal.[42][43] The midseason addition provided veteran experience to a defense navigating multiple absences, with Wilhelm focusing primarily on special teams and rotational duties.[44] In the 2010 regular season, Wilhelm appeared in seven games without recording a start, accumulating five tackles (four solo and one assisted) while contributing snaps on special teams units.[1] His role expanded during the Packers' postseason run, where he played in all four playoff contests, including the NFC Championship Game against the Chicago Bears and Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[45] In those games, he registered three tackles (two solo and one assisted), helping the Packers secure a 31–25 victory in Super Bowl XLV to claim the franchise's 13th league championship.[45][46] The one-year pact with Green Bay, signed at age 29, proved to be the capstone of Wilhelm's eight-year NFL tenure.[1] Reflecting on the triumph, Wilhelm described it as a culmination of perseverance, evoking the pride of his 2002 Ohio State national championship but amplified by sharing the moment with his family on the field: "For me to have them down there and support me through the ups and downs of my career... it was the culmination of a lot of hard work and prayers."[47] He emphasized the personal fulfillment, noting an "extreme sense of pride for the state of Ohio" in achieving professional glory after his collegiate success.[47]Career statistics
Regular season
Matt Wilhelm played in 89 regular-season games over eight NFL seasons from 2003 to 2010, starting 22 of them, and recorded 243 total tackles (187 solo, 56 assisted), 2 sacks, 6 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.[1]| Season | Team | GP | GS | Tackles (Solo/Ast/Total) | Sacks | INT | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | San Diego Chargers | 2 | 0 | 2/0/2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | San Diego Chargers | 7 | 0 | 10/3/13 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | San Diego Chargers | 16 | 0 | 25/6/31 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | San Diego Chargers | 16 | 0 | 19/7/26 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | San Diego Chargers | 14 | 14 | 74/23/97 | 1.0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | San Diego Chargers | 16 | 7 | 41/10/51 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | San Francisco 49ers | 11 | 1 | 12/6/18 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | Green Bay Packers | 7 | 0 | 4/1/5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | All teams | 89 | 22 | 187/56/243 | 2.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Playoffs
Matt Wilhelm appeared in 11 NFL playoff games over his career, primarily contributing on special teams and in rotational defensive roles. His postseason debut came with the San Diego Chargers in the 2004 playoffs, where he recorded 6 tackles and 2 pass deflections in a wild-card loss to the New York Jets.[48] In the 2006 playoffs, Wilhelm saw limited action in the divisional round against the New England Patriots, registering 1 tackle in a narrow defeat.[48] During the 2007 postseason, Wilhelm played a more prominent role for the Chargers, appearing in three games and accumulating 8 tackles, including 6 in the wild-card victory over the Tennessee Titans.[48] He followed with 2 tackles in the divisional win against the Indianapolis Colts and added 7 tackles across two games in the 2008 playoffs, highlighted by a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit in the wild-card overtime win over the Colts.[48] Wilhelm's Chargers playoff tenure totaled 7 games with 19 tackles, 2 passes defended, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 quarterback hit, often providing depth at linebacker and on coverage units.[48] Wilhelm did not appear in playoffs during his brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 or the San Francisco 49ers later that year, as neither team qualified.[1] His final postseason came with the Green Bay Packers in 2010, where he played all four games, including the Super Bowl, logging 3 special teams tackles en route to a championship victory. In Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilhelm contributed 1 solo tackle in the Packers' 31-25 win.[48] Overall, Wilhelm's playoff contributions were modest but impactful in key moments, with a career total of 25 tackles (17 solo, 8 assisted), no interceptions, and no sacks, reflecting his utility role focused on special teams and situational defense.[48]| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Solo Tackles | Ast. Tackles | Total Tackles | Int | PD | TFL | QBHits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | SDG | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | SDG | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | SDG | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | SDG | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | GNB | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | - | 11 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |