[JRL]

Originally thought of as an athletic but undersized pass-rushing defensive end from Shaw High School, Wheeler now considered one of the top linebackers in the country

BY JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. - Associated Press Writer --

Even before the start of the college football season, Georgia Tech senior linebacker Philip Wheeler was a big man on campus. The Ledger-Enquirer sports department put him on the cover of its Georgia Tech college football tab, one of four covers done with a movie-poster theme. Wheeler was highlighted to the movie "Transformers," which would be a good way to describe how his college career has gone. (Robin Trimarchi / rtrimarchi@ledger-enquirer.com)


ATLANTA
When Philip Wheeler arrived at Georgia Tech his freshman year, coach Chan Gailey saw him as nothing more than an athletic but undersized pass-rushing defensive end.
"You could see his talent, but you didn't know if he could develop into the player he is today," Gailey said.
Wheeler always possessed formidable speed, agility and quickness. But he has taken mighty steps in becoming more intelligent about the game and stronger through watching countless hours of game film and work ethic in the weight room.
Now skilled both in pass coverage and as a fierce blitzing middle linebacker, Wheeler has become one of the nation's top linebackers

More on Wheeler