VOL. 22, NO. 22	APRIL 25, 1997

Wiley

Wilfork

By Bill Steinman

  Wiley, a senior defensive end from Los Angeles, was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the NFL Draft last Saturday. Wilfork, a senior outside linebacker from Miami, Fla., signed a free-agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals soon after the conclusion of the draft.

  "I couldn't be happier for both of them," said Columbia head football coach Ray Tellier. "They were not only outstanding players for us but also outstanding leaders as well, and I'm confident they will enjoy fine careers in the NFL."

  The fifty-second player taken in the draft, Wiley went earliest of any Columbia player since quarterback Marty Domres was chosen in the first round of the 1969 draft by the San Diego Chargers.

  One of the most dominant defensive players in the nation, the 6-5, 280-pound Wiley was third team All-America, and first team All-East and All-Ivy, after posting 63 tackles in 10 games.

  Wiley, one of Columbia's four co-captains, led the Lions with 17 tackles for losses, 6.5 sacks, 8 pass break-ups and 3 blocked field goals.

  Wiley, who was Columbia's starting tailback as a sophomore, continued to carry the ball on short-yardage situations even after moving to defensive end. He had 32 carries for 118 yards and 5 touchdowns last season, scoring 3 TDs against Holy Cross.

  Wilfork, also a co-captain, is a 6-1, 245-pounder who was first team All-East as both a junior and senior, and was chosen first team All-Ivy League three straight years--only the 13th person ever to make All-Ivy three times.

  He posted 387 tackles in four seasons, including 141 as a junior and 103 as a senior, when he had 15 tackles for losses, 4.5 sacks, and 2 pass break-ups.

  Wilfork was elected co-captain as a senior and as a junior--Columbia's first junior captain in 49 years.