Ilia Jarostchuk

Ilia Jarostchuk
No. 50, 58
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1964-08-01) August 1, 1964 (age 60)
Utica, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:231 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:Whitesboro (NY) Central
College:New Hampshire
NFL draft:1987 / round: 5 / pick: 127
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ilia Jarostchuk (born August 1, 1964) is an American former professional football linebacker who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Phoenix Cardinals, and New England Patriots. He played college football at New Hampshire.[1][2]

Early life

Jarostchuk was born on August 1, 1964, in Utica, New York.[1] His parents had moved from the Soviet Union to the United States in 1958.[3][4] He has three younger siblings: brothers Alex and Basil, and sister Anya.[5]

Jarostchuk played high school football at Whitesboro Central High School, although he did not join the team until his senior year, only playing soccer before that.[4][6]

College career

Jarostchuk attended the University of New Hampshire, where he double majored in business administration and civil engineering.[4] Together with his younger brothers Alex and Basil, he formed part of "The Russian Front" on the Wildcats' defensive line. His younger sister, Anya, also attended the school for one year.[5]

During his college career, Jarostchuk made 204 tackles and 21 sacks, earning AP Division I-AA All-American honors in his junior year and making All-East Coast Athletic Conference during his senior year.[4][6]

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Jarostchuk in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL draft, with the 127th pick overall.[7] He played 12 games with the Cardinals during the 1987 season, mainly appearing on special teams.[3] The Cardinals released him on August 30, 1988.[8]

San Francisco 49ers (first stint)

Jarostchuk signed for one game with the San Francisco 49ers in 1988.[4][9] The 49ers released him on September 16, 1988.[10]

Miami Dolphins

In 1988, Jarostchuk joined the Miami Dolphins, playing six games with the team that season.[1][9] The Dolphins waived Jarostchuk on November 9, 1988, and released him the following day.[11]

Phoenix Cardinals

As a free agent, Jarostchuk re-signed with the Cardinals, who had since relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. He played in all 16 games of the Cardinals' 1989 season, with one start at middle linebacker.[9] That start was the team's November 26 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which the Cardinals barely lost, with a score of 14–13.[12]

New England Patriots

On March 24, 1990, Jarostchuk signed with the New England Patriots.[9] He played 12 games with the team, starting one game at right linebacker.[3] However, he mainly saw action on special teams.[4]

The Patriots had an abysmal 1–15 record in their 1990 season, and Jarostchuk did not play in any winning games that year.[13] He started in the team's final game of the year, a December 30 matchup against the New York Giants, which the Patriots lost 13–10.[4][14] The Giants later went on to win the Super Bowl.

Jarostchuk signed again with the Patriots as a free agent on September 27, 1991,[4] and was released on August 20, 1992.[15] He did not appear in any games in the 1991 season.

San Francisco 49ers (second stint)

Just days after being released by the Patriots, Jarostchuk was signed again by the 49ers, on August 25, 1992.[16][17] He was released on September 1, 1992.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ilia Jarostchuk Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  2. ^ "Ilia Jarostchuk, LB". Nfl.com. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Ilia Jarostchuk". Patriots Alumni. February 20, 2019. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "1991 New England Patriots Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "UNH Magazine: 'The Russian Front' Revisited". unhmagazine.unh.edu. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Weidner, Nolan; syracuse.com, Donnie Webb | (January 12, 2017). "CNY's 50 all-time greatest high school football players, in order". syracuse. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  7. ^ "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  8. ^ "NFL waivers by month (August 1988)". NFL.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "Patriots sign Jarostchuk". UPI. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  10. ^ "NFL waivers by month (September 1988)". NFL.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "NFL waivers by month (November 1988)". NFL.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  12. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Phoenix Cardinals - November 26th, 1989". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  13. ^ "Ilia Jarostchuk 1990 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  14. ^ "New York Giants at New England Patriots - December 30th, 1990". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  15. ^ "NFL waivers by month (August 1992)". NFL.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  16. ^ "MILLIONAIRES RICE, HOWARD GET THE GREEN LIGHT". Deseret News. August 26, 1992. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  17. ^ "NFL signings by month (August 1992)". NFL.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  18. ^ "NFL waivers by month (September 1992)". NFL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2022.