Matt Wilhelm

Matt Wilhelm is a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was born on February 2, 1981 in Oberlin, Ohio. He stands 6'2 tall, weighs 245 pounds, and wears jersey number 57. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 4th round (112 overall) of the NFL draft. He played college football at Ohio State University where he majored in communications. He graduated from Elyria Catholic high school in Elyria, Ohio.

Matt has started 22 games so far in his 7 year career. He has taken the long road to success partly due to being drafted to a team with established linebackers. He would bide his time until his 5th year where he got his first start. Matt Wilhelm provides the 2010 49ers with an experienced and proven backup behind linebackers Takeo Spikes and Patrick Willishttp://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Matt-Wilhelm/69313743-5d66-480f-b73a-ee7f031209e0.

After being drafted by the Chargers in 2003, Wilhelm played primarily on special teams for his first 4 seasons. Making appearances in 41 games and starting none of them, he was a spot player at most. When he did make it onto the field as a linebacker, he recorded 5 passes defensed and 2 interceptions. In 2007 Wilhelm earned a spot on the starting linebacking core. He would record 97 tackles, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions that year. The next year he would start the first 7 games, but would his spot as a starter after that and play only sporadically the remainder of the year. He would finish with 51 tackles and 1 interception with no sacks. The Chargers let Wilhelm go after the 2008 season.

The 49ers signed Wilhelm after the season started, on October 19, 2009. Wilhelm immediately impressed coaches and was given special teams duty. When Takeo Spikes went down for an injury in November, Wilhelm was selected to start in his place. He finished the year with 11 games played, 1 start, and 18 tackleshttp://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Matt-Wilhelm/69313743-5d66-480f-b73a-ee7f031209e0.