Vernon Botts

Height:
6-4
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Hometown:
Eastampton, N.J.
High School:
Rancocas Valley Regional

2006 Scouting Report: Provided solid play as a reserve defensive end last season and proved he could step up in a starting role when needed...will move inside this year to nose tackle, an area where Pitt was hit hard by graduation...athleticism and rangy frame make him an interesting prospect to watch on the defensive front.

2005: Moved from tight end to the defensive line during the offseason and emerged as a key performer at defensive end...played in 11 games, making two starts...started back-to-back contests (Syracuse and Louisville) in place of the injured Charles Sallet before seeing time off the bench in Pitt[apos]s final two games against Connecticut and West Virginia... the Syracuse game marked the first start of Botts[apos] career...on the season had 14 tackles, four TFLs and one sack...had a career-high four tackles with a 10-yard TFL versus South Florida...had three tackles and a TFL at Rutgers...had two tackles and a seven-yard sack versus Youngstown State.

2004: Served as a reserve tight end...appeared in all 12 games on the kickoff return unit to letter.

2003: Made lone appearance versus Kent State in the season opener.

2002: Redshirted as a true freshman.

High School: Two-time All-Burlington County at Rancocas Valley Regional...two-time All-Olympic Conference...first team All-Group 4...a first-team All-Academic selection...two-way starter (defensive end and tight end) as a senior and junior...helped Rancocas Valley to the Olympic Conference championship and state playoffs as a senior...earned three letters under Coach Jim DiCicco...also lettered three times in track and field and once in basketball...sectional runner-up in the shot put...Scholar-Athlete Award.

Personal: Vernon Leland Botts, born 5/6/84, is the son of Bernard and Rosemarie Botts...has one brother...brother (Baylen) played football at Villanova...earned his degree in sociology this past May and is now pursuing a second major in anthropology.