- A seventh-round draft pick who has appeared in all but one game in his two professional seasons, seeing significant time in the rotation up front and totaling 56 tackles (33 solo) and a sack.
- Started Super Bowl XLV vs. Pittsburgh with the defense employing a fourth lineman as part of its “Hippo” package.
- Named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year by Sporting News each of his final two seasons at East Carolina, and was a two-time first-team all-conference selection (2008-09).
- Played in all 54 games during his time at ECU, starting 37 straight contests to close out his career.
- Became first player from East Carolina to be drafted by the Packers.
- Earned his B.A. in communications in May 2009, and was a three-time selection to the ECU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll after eligibility qualifying issues delayed the start of his career.
Pro Highlights:
- Third-year defender who has played in 31 of 32 possible games in his two professional seasons.
- Played in all 16 games in 2011, once again making two starts and setting a career high with 35 tackles (21 solo).
- Originally expected to contribute primarily on special teams as a rookie in 2010 when he was the team’s sixth defensive lineman, but was thrust into more significant action after a knee injury ended the season of DE Justin Harrell and when veteran DEs Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins both missed time with injuries of their own.
- Appeared in 15 games with two starts his rookie year, recording 21 tackles (12 solo) and a sack. Played in all four playoff contests as well, getting the starting nod in Super Bowl XLV vs. Pittsburgh as part of the defense’s “Hippo” package that employs four linemen.
2011 SEASON: Continued to contribute as a significant rotational player in his second season, appearing in all 16 games and making two starts, setting a new career high with 35 tackles (21 solo)…Capitalized on the playing time created by a training-camp knee injury to fellow second-year DE Mike Neal, and received his two starting assignments later in the year when Pickett was sidelined with a concussion…At Atlanta (Oct. 9): Finished with four tackles (two solo, one for loss) as part of a defensive front that helped limit powerful Falcons RB Michael Turner to just 56 yards on 16 carries (3.5 avg.). Tackle for loss came on the first play of Atlanta’s second possession late in the first quarter, when he fought off a block by veteran TE Reggie Kelly and dropped Turner for a 3-yard loss...Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 14): Credited with a season-high six tackles (three solo, one for loss). Aided the defense’s effort in containing Pro Bowl RB Adrian Peterson, who rushed for just 51 yards on 14 carries (3.6 avg.)…Vs. Oakland (Dec. 11): Led the defensive line by appearing on 38 plays and finished with two tackles (one solo). Also drew a holding call against LT Jake Veldheer that wiped out an 11-yard completion in the first quarter…At Kansas City (Dec. 18): Started his first game of the season in the absence of the injured Pickett (concussion), appearing on a season-high 52 plays and finishing with three tackles (one solo). Teamed with LB D.J. Smith to take down RB Dexter McCluster for a 1-yard loss on an end-around play in the first quarter. Also slid past T Barry Richardson to help create the pile that stacked RB Jackie Battle for no gain at the Packers’ 3-yard line on a fourth-down goal-line stand in the second quarter, resulting in a turnover on downs…Vs. Chicago (Dec. 25): Started at LDE in the continued absence of Pickett and matched his season high with six tackles (five solo, one for loss).
2010: Appeared in 15 games with two starts and finished the season with 21 tackles (12 solo), six QB hits and a sack…Played in all four postseason contests with one start, recording six tackles (five solo) and a sack…Inactive (healthy scratch) for season opener at Philadelphia (Sept. 12)…Vs. Buffalo (Sept. 19): Made pro debut, recording an assisted tackle and a QB hit…Vs. Miami (Oct. 17): Started the first game of his career at LDE in place of Pickett, who was inactive due to an ankle injury. Played 28 snaps and registered four tackles (two solo)…Vs. Minnesota (Oct. 24): After Jenkins sustained a calf injury in pregame warm-ups, unexpectedly became a key member of the defensive front. Participated in 40 plays and recorded career highs in tackles (nine) and solo stops (five). Drilled QB Brett Favre in the third quarter as he stepped up to throw to WR Randy Moss, and the veteran QB’s pass went right into the arms of LB Desmond Bishop, who returned the pick 32 yards for a TD and a 28-17 lead that the Packers wouldn’t relinquish…At N.Y. Jets (Oct. 31): Started at LDE and posted three tackles (two solo), including one for a loss and a QB hit…Vs. Dallas (Nov. 7): Posted his first career sack when he brought QB Jon Kitna down for a 1-yard loss as time expired. Finished with three tackles (two solo) and a QB hit…At Atlanta (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Played 20 snaps as part of a defensive-line rotation, registering four tackles (three solo), a sack, a QB pressure and two QB hits. Dropped QB Matt Ryan for an 8-yard sack on the Falcons’ final possession of the game…Vs. Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6): Started the game with the defense employing a fourth lineman as part of its “Hippo” package. Participated in 14 plays and registered a QB hit…2010 NFL Draft: Selected by Green Bay in the seventh round (No. 230 overall), the first player ever selected by the Packers out of East Carolina.
COLLEGE: Four-year starter for the Pirates who finished career with 192 tackles, including 45½ for loss, and 27 sacks…Was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior by Sporting News…Played in all 54 games during his time at ECU, starting 37 straight contests to close out his career…Earned second-team All-C-USA honors from the league’s coaches as a sophomore and was named to the conference’s All-Freshman team by the media…Initially enrolled at ECU in the fall of 2005, but officially joined the program in the spring of 2006 after completing NCAA eligibility requirements…Went on to be named to the ECU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll three times…Earned his degree in communications in May 2009…Senior season (2009): Started all 14 games to close out his career with a starting streak of 37 consecutive games…Named C-USA Defensive Player of the Year by Sporting News for the second straight season…Also earned first-team all-conference honors from the league’s coaches for the second straight campaign…Earned selection to the Ted Hendricks (nation’s top defensive end), 40th Annual Rotary Lombardi (nation’s top lineman), and Bronko Nagurski (nation’s best defensive player) award watch lists…Finished season with 57 tackles (23 solo), including 10½ for loss, and 5½ sacks…Added a career-high 14 QB hurries and a pass defensed…Junior season (2008): Ranked second in the conference with 10½ sacks on his way to earning first-team All-C-USA honors from the league’s coaches…Also earned C-USA Defensive MVP and C-USA Player of the Year honors from Sporting News and ESPN.com, respectively…Led the conference with 18½ tackles for loss and led team’s defensive line with career-high 70 tackles (35 solo)…Posted season-high eight tackles at Tulane (Sept. 13), including three for a loss, along with a blocked FG attempt that was returned for a TD, on his way to earning C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors…Sophomore season (2007): Earned second-team All-C-USA honors from the league’s coaches…Opened season as a reserve for the first four games, but moved into starting lineup for the remainder of the season…Ranked sixth in the conference with seven sacks…Finished with 36 tackles (17 solo), including 10½ for loss, a forced fumble and a team-leading 12 QB pressures...Turned in career-best effort in his first start of the season with nine tackles, 2½ sacks, and a blocked FG at Houston (Sept. 29)…Freshman season (2006): Made an immediate impact as a true freshman, starting seven of 13 games…Selected to C-USA All-Freshman Team by media…Posted 29 tackles (17 solo), including six for a loss, and four sacks.
PERSONAL: Given name Clifford James Wilson…Born in Belhaven, N.C. …Single…Brother, Amos, played LB at New Mexico, where he was a teammate of Bears LB Brian Urlacher…Cousin, LB Keith Rivers, was a first-round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008 and is now a member of the N.Y. Giants…High school: Two-time Washington Daily News all-area selection at Northside High (Belhaven, N.C.)…Also earned all-conference honors in his final season, one that saw his team advance to the Eastern Championship…Played LB, CB, S, RB, T and FB during his career, and was a team captain as a senior…Lettered every year in basketball and track….Community involvement: Spoke to youth groups and youth football teams in college…Hobbies/interests: Is a music aficionado and an accomplished piano player…Lists Peyton Manning and former Packers DE Reggie White as his favorite athletes…Lists The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Burn Notice as his favorite TV shows and Any Given Sunday as his favorite movie…Enjoys reading the Bible and listening to gospel music…Residence: Belhaven, N.C.
- A seventh-round draft pick who has appeared in all but one game in his two professional seasons, seeing significant time in the rotation up front and totaling 56 tackles (33 solo) and a sack.
- Started Super Bowl XLV vs. Pittsburgh with the defense employing a fourth lineman as part of its “Hippo” package.
- Named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year by Sporting News each of his final two seasons at East Carolina, and was a two-time first-team all-conference selection (2008-09).
- Played in all 54 games during his time at ECU, starting 37 straight contests to close out his career.
- Became first player from East Carolina to be drafted by the Packers.
- Earned his B.A. in communications in May 2009, and was a three-time selection to the ECU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll after eligibility qualifying issues delayed the start of his career.
Pro Highlights:
- Third-year defender who has played in 31 of 32 possible games in his two professional seasons.
- Played in all 16 games in 2011, once again making two starts and setting a career high with 35 tackles (21 solo).
- Originally expected to contribute primarily on special teams as a rookie in 2010 when he was the team’s sixth defensive lineman, but was thrust into more significant action after a knee injury ended the season of DE Justin Harrell and when veteran DEs Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins both missed time with injuries of their own.
- Appeared in 15 games with two starts his rookie year, recording 21 tackles (12 solo) and a sack. Played in all four playoff contests as well, getting the starting nod in Super Bowl XLV vs. Pittsburgh as part of the defense’s “Hippo” package that employs four linemen.
2011 SEASON: Continued to contribute as a significant rotational player in his second season, appearing in all 16 games and making two starts, setting a new career high with 35 tackles (21 solo)…Capitalized on the playing time created by a training-camp knee injury to fellow second-year DE Mike Neal, and received his two starting assignments later in the year when Pickett was sidelined with a concussion…At Atlanta (Oct. 9): Finished with four tackles (two solo, one for loss) as part of a defensive front that helped limit powerful Falcons RB Michael Turner to just 56 yards on 16 carries (3.5 avg.). Tackle for loss came on the first play of Atlanta’s second possession late in the first quarter, when he fought off a block by veteran TE Reggie Kelly and dropped Turner for a 3-yard loss...Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 14): Credited with a season-high six tackles (three solo, one for loss). Aided the defense’s effort in containing Pro Bowl RB Adrian Peterson, who rushed for just 51 yards on 14 carries (3.6 avg.)…Vs. Oakland (Dec. 11): Led the defensive line by appearing on 38 plays and finished with two tackles (one solo). Also drew a holding call against LT Jake Veldheer that wiped out an 11-yard completion in the first quarter…At Kansas City (Dec. 18): Started his first game of the season in the absence of the injured Pickett (concussion), appearing on a season-high 52 plays and finishing with three tackles (one solo). Teamed with LB D.J. Smith to take down RB Dexter McCluster for a 1-yard loss on an end-around play in the first quarter. Also slid past T Barry Richardson to help create the pile that stacked RB Jackie Battle for no gain at the Packers’ 3-yard line on a fourth-down goal-line stand in the second quarter, resulting in a turnover on downs…Vs. Chicago (Dec. 25): Started at LDE in the continued absence of Pickett and matched his season high with six tackles (five solo, one for loss).
2010: Appeared in 15 games with two starts and finished the season with 21 tackles (12 solo), six QB hits and a sack…Played in all four postseason contests with one start, recording six tackles (five solo) and a sack…Inactive (healthy scratch) for season opener at Philadelphia (Sept. 12)…Vs. Buffalo (Sept. 19): Made pro debut, recording an assisted tackle and a QB hit…Vs. Miami (Oct. 17): Started the first game of his career at LDE in place of Pickett, who was inactive due to an ankle injury. Played 28 snaps and registered four tackles (two solo)…Vs. Minnesota (Oct. 24): After Jenkins sustained a calf injury in pregame warm-ups, unexpectedly became a key member of the defensive front. Participated in 40 plays and recorded career highs in tackles (nine) and solo stops (five). Drilled QB Brett Favre in the third quarter as he stepped up to throw to WR Randy Moss, and the veteran QB’s pass went right into the arms of LB Desmond Bishop, who returned the pick 32 yards for a TD and a 28-17 lead that the Packers wouldn’t relinquish…At N.Y. Jets (Oct. 31): Started at LDE and posted three tackles (two solo), including one for a loss and a QB hit…Vs. Dallas (Nov. 7): Posted his first career sack when he brought QB Jon Kitna down for a 1-yard loss as time expired. Finished with three tackles (two solo) and a QB hit…At Atlanta (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Played 20 snaps as part of a defensive-line rotation, registering four tackles (three solo), a sack, a QB pressure and two QB hits. Dropped QB Matt Ryan for an 8-yard sack on the Falcons’ final possession of the game…Vs. Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6): Started the game with the defense employing a fourth lineman as part of its “Hippo” package. Participated in 14 plays and registered a QB hit…2010 NFL Draft: Selected by Green Bay in the seventh round (No. 230 overall), the first player ever selected by the Packers out of East Carolina.
COLLEGE: Four-year starter for the Pirates who finished career with 192 tackles, including 45½ for loss, and 27 sacks…Was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior by Sporting News…Played in all 54 games during his time at ECU, starting 37 straight contests to close out his career…Earned second-team All-C-USA honors from the league’s coaches as a sophomore and was named to the conference’s All-Freshman team by the media…Initially enrolled at ECU in the fall of 2005, but officially joined the program in the spring of 2006 after completing NCAA eligibility requirements…Went on to be named to the ECU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll three times…Earned his degree in communications in May 2009…Senior season (2009): Started all 14 games to close out his career with a starting streak of 37 consecutive games…Named C-USA Defensive Player of the Year by Sporting News for the second straight season…Also earned first-team all-conference honors from the league’s coaches for the second straight campaign…Earned selection to the Ted Hendricks (nation’s top defensive end), 40th Annual Rotary Lombardi (nation’s top lineman), and Bronko Nagurski (nation’s best defensive player) award watch lists…Finished season with 57 tackles (23 solo), including 10½ for loss, and 5½ sacks…Added a career-high 14 QB hurries and a pass defensed…Junior season (2008): Ranked second in the conference with 10½ sacks on his way to earning first-team All-C-USA honors from the league’s coaches…Also earned C-USA Defensive MVP and C-USA Player of the Year honors from Sporting News and ESPN.com, respectively…Led the conference with 18½ tackles for loss and led team’s defensive line with career-high 70 tackles (35 solo)…Posted season-high eight tackles at Tulane (Sept. 13), including three for a loss, along with a blocked FG attempt that was returned for a TD, on his way to earning C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors…Sophomore season (2007): Earned second-team All-C-USA honors from the league’s coaches…Opened season as a reserve for the first four games, but moved into starting lineup for the remainder of the season…Ranked sixth in the conference with seven sacks…Finished with 36 tackles (17 solo), including 10½ for loss, a forced fumble and a team-leading 12 QB pressures...Turned in career-best effort in his first start of the season with nine tackles, 2½ sacks, and a blocked FG at Houston (Sept. 29)…Freshman season (2006): Made an immediate impact as a true freshman, starting seven of 13 games…Selected to C-USA All-Freshman Team by media…Posted 29 tackles (17 solo), including six for a loss, and four sacks.
PERSONAL: Given name Clifford James Wilson…Born in Belhaven, N.C. …Single…Brother, Amos, played LB at New Mexico, where he was a teammate of Bears LB Brian Urlacher…Cousin, LB Keith Rivers, was a first-round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008 and is now a member of the N.Y. Giants…High school: Two-time Washington Daily News all-area selection at Northside High (Belhaven, N.C.)…Also earned all-conference honors in his final season, one that saw his team advance to the Eastern Championship…Played LB, CB, S, RB, T and FB during his career, and was a team captain as a senior…Lettered every year in basketball and track….Community involvement: Spoke to youth groups and youth football teams in college…Hobbies/interests: Is a music aficionado and an accomplished piano player…Lists Peyton Manning and former Packers DE Reggie White as his favorite athletes…Lists The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Burn Notice as his favorite TV shows and Any Given Sunday as his favorite movie…Enjoys reading the Bible and listening to gospel music…Residence: Belhaven, N.C.
