He played college football at Michigan State, and was selected by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

[2] He recorded a career-best 115 tackles as a senior, with 44 resulting in losses including 7 sacks, and also forced 10 fumbles and blocked two punts.

As a junior in 2012, he led the Spartan defensive linemen and ranked fourth on the team with 59 tackles.

On January 3, 2013, Gholston announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

He finished his rookie season in 2013 as a rotational player earning 30 combined tackles (14 solo) and two quarterback sacks.

He eventually lost the starting job to waiver wire pick up Jacquies Smith and was relegated to rotational duties for the remainder of the 2014 season.

[16] Gholston played in all four games in the Buccaneers' playoff run that resulted in the team winning Super Bowl LV.