Vernick soaking in final year of career at SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK — His figure in the middle of the football field is hardly an imposing one.
But at 6-foot-0, 225 pounds, Butler graduate and Slippery Rock University middle linebacker Tim Vernick has gotten the job done.
Time and time and time again.
“He's not as big as his older brother (former SRU linebacker Bob Vernick) and we tease him about that a lot,” SRU defensive coordinator Dom Razzano said. “Bob was one of the best linebackers to ever play here.
“But, all kidding aside, Tim is right up there with him.”
Tim Vernick recorded 63 tackles — 27 solo — seven tackles for loss and had an interception in 2019. He tallied 92 tackles, 13 for loss, in 2018.
As a freshman, Vernick appeared in eight games and recorded 28 tackles. He has 183 career tackles entering his final season.
“I think I've been able to use my knowledge and strength to compensate for my size,” Vernick said. “I want this season to be my best one yet.
“All-Conference, All-American ... I want all of those things. Most importantly, I want to go out a national champion. I'm going to do my part to help us get there.”
His numbers aside, Vernick usually does more than his part on the field.
Besides manning his position, Vernick calls out the plays for the defense.
“His knowledge of this game is off the charts,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “Tim Vernick knows our playbook inside and out. He's just unbelievable.
“The energy level he brings, the passion he plays with, his toughness ... he's what a college football player is all about. He does it all.”
Lutz described Vernick as “the heart and soul of our defense.
“He's not the fastest guy, he's not the most gifted guy — but he's the guy,” Lutz added.
Having already graduated from The Rock with a degree in computer science and cyber security, Vernick is working on his masters in business administration.
This will be his final year of football.
“Yeah, this is it for me,” he said. “I've been playing football for 17 years. It's kind of a shock, knowing it's my last year.
“I'm taking it in and relishing every moment, not just IUP week or the playoff games. I know I won't be getting any of these days back. I'm going to miss every part of this.”
Vernick said the strength of SRU's defense is the communication between players.
“We know what each other is going to do,” he said. “We've been at this together for quite a while.
“You can always get better as a player. I'm still working on getting better at all phases of my game. I want my last game to be my best game.”
Razzano hands Vernick the simplest — and perhaps best — compliment available.
“He does his job,” Razzano said. “The tremendous leadership he'll provide as a captain on this team is just a given.
“This guy was not a highly-recruited player out of high school. He'll be the first one to tell you that. But his character, his toughness, his competitiveness have allowed him to become one of the best linebackers to ever play here.”
