OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT: Wilfork invests in Columbia and Lions get a big return

Rory Wilfork grew up a long way from New York City. Hailing from the mean streets of Miami, he also grew up a long way from the Ivy League. But Wilfork was determined to make it to both places. The Columbia junior grew up very close to football, however. It was in his blood. Rory's late father, Roy Wilfork, was a linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 and 1970 after playing college ball at Mississippi Valley State. But more than an NFL career, the younger Wilfork has always wanted to parlay his physical talents into an Ivy League education. When Columbia coach Ray Tellier recruited Miami Norland High School's best athlete back in 1991, Wilfork had the opportunity to do just that. "I was recruited by five schools and Columbia is the only one that was thinking about what I may do after football," Wilfork said. "I was not really thinking about playing professionally. I want to get involved in consulting and maybe do something entrepreneurial." More than his blazing speed, having a solid head on his shoulders made Wilfork extremely attractive to Tellier. "He had scholarship offers from Youngstown State and Jackson State," Tellier said. "He was just really sold on the idea of an Ivy League education. In that sense he was very unusual. There aren't a lot of kids in the Ivies who came out of his high school." A combination of hard work and natural talent has made Wilfork an extraordinary talent at the outside linebacker position. The hard work was instilled in him from his mother at a very young age. When Wilfork was only five, his parents separated. Often his mother worked two or three jobs to support the family. "She gave tireless effort every day. That's something I try to take with me on the football field every day," Wilfork said. Wilfork has shown that kind of effort not only on the field but in the weightroom as well. After showing up at only 185 pounds as a freshman, Wilfork bulked up to 215 last season. He'll walk onto Baker Field Saturday at nearly 230 pounds. "He managed to bulk up and really gain strength without losing any speed," Tellier said. "He's given himself tremendous shock power -- the ability to really hit people and stand them up. He's a very fluid athlete. He's always on balance." Last season, after leading the Ancient Eight in unassisted tackles with 78 as a mere sophomore, Wilfork was named first-team all-Ivy. He was a major factor in Columbia's first winning season since 1971. To shed some light on how spectacular a feat that is, current NFL players Keith Elias and Jay Fiedler did not make the first team as sophomores. Even last year's Bushnell Cup winner, Pat Goodwillie, did not make the cut. It's primarily athleticism that leads to all those tackles on the fringe of Columbia's defense. Tellier takes advantage of Wilfork's natural speed and strength by moving him all over the defense to stop plays head-up, chase runners down from the back side, and cover receivers out of the opponent's backfield. "He's as sure a tackler as there is," Penn coach Al Bagnoli said. "There's no question that he'll make his plays, but we just have to run our offense. We'll always be aware of where he is, though." Arguably the most dominant defensive player in the league last season, Wilfork is back 15 pounds heavier and just as fast. During the Lions 1-1-1 start in 1995, he already has 44 tackles, seven tackles for losses, two sacks and an interception. His teammates elected him captain for this season, the first time a Columbia squad has chosen a junior for that honor since 1926. "It means a lot that my teammates look to me as a leader," Wilfork said. "They expect good play from me. I just try to lead by example. They expect me to make plays and bring emotion." Wilfork is expecting to end the Quakers' 24-game losing streak Saturday. "You have to beat the team that's on top to get on top, Wilfork said. "We intend to do just that."

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