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Rated one of the nation's top high school defensive players, I'lario is projected as a cornerback hopeful with the Spartans. Vital, who played middle linebacker and strong safety as a senior, was ranked as the 15th best defensive back prospect by www
One of the two Vital brothers enrolling at San Jose State, he gained 1,674 yards and scored 32 touchdowns rushing last year for McClymonds High School (Coach Alonzo Carter) in Oakland, Calif. Overall, he scored 34 touchdowns during the 2001 season to rank among the state of California scoring leaders. Defensively, he was credited with seven quarterback sacks and five interceptions a year ago. I'lario was named a first-team all-state selection, the Alameda Newspaper Group's "Offensive Player of the Year" and the San Francisco Chronicle's East Bay "Metro Player of the Year." Vital played his first two seasons of varsity football at Fremont High School in Oakland and was a two-time first-team all-state selection. He was one of his team's top tacklers in 2000 with 96 tackles, 17 quarterback sacks and five interceptions. As a sophomore, he was an outside linebacker and quarterback. I'lario scored nine rushing touchdowns and accounted for more than 1,300 yards of total offense.
The three-sport letterwinner was a shortstop and pitcher on the baseball team and a sprinter, long jumper and high jumper on the track and field teams at McClymonds and Fremont High Schools. The second oldest of the four Vital sons, he enjoys eating Southern-style cooking. His nickname,"Red," is a result of him having the lightest complexion of the Vital boys. His first cousin, Chris Baloney, is another incoming defensive backfield prospect. I'lario was born in Houston, Texas, on November 12, 1983.