Wildcats establish single-sport season high for the honor for the fifth-straight year
2012: Appeared in 13 games on special teams and as a reserve linebacker ... One tackle on the season ... Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
2011: Played in nine games, primarily on special teams coverage ... Named the special teams practice player of the week for Eastern Illinois game ... Credited with a 10-yard kickoff return against Michigan State ... Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
2010: Appeared in four games.
2009: Did not see action.
High School: An all-inter-academic league and all-city selection in football and baseball ... Team's MVP in both football and baseball in 2008-09 ... Philadelphia Maxwell Club honoree ... Selected to play in the Montgomery County All-Star game ... Lettered three years as a tight end and linebacker for the Patriots ... Led team in receptions (20), receiving yards (237) and tackles ... Totaled 13 tackles, 3 TFL's and an interception vs. rival Penn Charter his senior year ... Set Germantown's record with a 99-yard kickoff return for touchdown ... Graduated cum laude, Honor Roll every semester ... Earned school's Scholar-Athlete Award his sophomore, junior and senior seasons ... Coached by Luke Harris.
Personal: Born Timothy Richard Vernon ... Son of Tony and Jean Vernon ... Brothers Pete and Billy were both college baseball players -- Pete played at William & Mary (class of 2008) and Billy played at Stanford (class of 2011) ... Cousin, Chris Getz, plays for the Kansas City Royals ... History major and business institutions minor.
The Vernon File
Q: Name five favorite songs (and artist) on your I-Pod:
A: I Want You (Third Eye Blind); Big 12 Freestyle (Malcolm Kelly); Brooklyn's Finest (Jay-Z and Biggie); Wagon Wheel (OCMS); Bed (J. Holiday)
Q: If you could dine with anyone from any period in history, who would it be and why?
A: Allen Iverson, the most fascinating and misunderstood athlete of my generation
Q: What is the greatest lesson in life that you have learned?
A: Don't worry about what you can't control
Q: A song that best describes you and why?
A: White Houses by Vanessa Carlton
Q: My favorite place to visit is and why?
A: Ocean City, N.J., because it is the closest thing to paradise.
Q: Which current NU football player is the biggest jokester on the team and why?
A: Michael Bolden, can do an impression of anyone
Q: Best part about being a Northwestern football player is:
A: Gatorade shakes
Q: Describe Coach Fitzgerald in five words or less:
A: Intense, passionate, focused, caring, scary
Q: Describe your position coach in five words or less:
A: Passionate, knowledgeable, energetic, entertaining, prepared
Q: Most humbling experience:
A: Life with two older brothers.
Q: The best book I have ever read is and why?
A: Not a book, but the Esquire article, "Frank Sinatra has a Cold," by Ocean City's own Gay Talese is the best profile piece ever written.
Q: The person that inspires me the most is:
A: My uncle Tim.
Q: When I played football as a kid, I pretended to be:
A: Brian Dawkins.
Q: My favorite pregame ritual is:
A: Visualization and music.
Q: If you could have a starring role in any film already made, which movie would you pick and why?
A: Keyser Söze in The Usual Suspects
Q: My favorite food is:
A: My mom's chicken tetrazzini
Q: Best thing about Northwestern is:
A: The beach and the lake
Q: My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be:
A: Returning a pick for a touchdown in the Rose Bowl
Q: My favorite television show is and why?
A: Boy Meets World
Q: If I were not playing football, I would be:
A: Sleeping in a lot more
Q: Which FORMER NU football student-athlete has had the most impact on your Wildcat career and why?
A: Andrew Brewer, first one to reach out and welcome me to the family.