Collegiate Times

Five standout Hokies from the 2009 roster were selected in the most recent NFL Draft. All five have made the initial active 53-man roster for their respective teams.

With the NFL season set to get underway Thursday night, in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints, it is time to revisit those players and see how each individual will play a role on their new team.

JASON WORILDS (20TH PICK IN THE SECOND ROUND, PITTSBURGH STEELERS)

After deciding to leave Tech a year early, Worilds became the one of the program’s highest drafted players but will compete for playing time in a talented Pittsburgh Steelers defense.  After playing defensive end throughout his career at Tech, the Steelers have moved Worilds to outside linebacker in their 3-4 defensive scheme. 

Worilds signed a four-year contract which could be worth as much as $3.7 million ($1.9 million guaranteed) just before training camp began in July. Worilds has had limited action this summer because of a hamstring injury that has lingered through the majority of the preseason. 

The Steelers coaching staff is expecting Worilds to make an immediate impact on the team, as he is projected to be the team’s third outside linebacker.

KAM CHANCELLOR (SECOND PICK IN THE FIFTH ROUND, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS)

After competing all preseason for the starting strong safety position, Chancellor will be in a backup role once the regular season begins. 

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll cut safety Jordan Babineaux, paving the way for Chancellor to make the roster.

Chancellor made his presence felt in the team’s first preseason game, by intercepting a pass in his first NFL contest.

Chancellor’s playing time may increase as the season progresses because of the age of the starting safeties on the Seahawks roster — Lawyer Milloy is 36 years old and Chancellor is 22. Given his size and youth, Chancellor will most certainly contribute to the defense at some point during the season.

ED WANG (NINTH PICK IN THE FIFTH ROUND, BUFFALO BILLS)

After holding down a spot on Tech’s offensive line for four years, Wang became the first Chinese-American drafted when the Bills called his name on the second day of the draft.

Wang will play left tackle and be responsible for protecting the quarterback’s blind side.

After enduring numerous injuries throughout training camp, including a high ankle sprain and a thumb injury, Wang is anxious to get back on the field and prove his value to the Buffalo Bills. 

Wang is currently listed third on the depth chart for the Bills.

BRENT BOWDEN (THIRD PICK IN THE SIXTH ROUND, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS)

The Tampa Bay coaching staff showed its confidence in Bowden several times this preseason. By drafting the punter in the sixth round, Bowden was all but guaranteed a job. The only thing that was standing in the way was a contract, which was signed in June for four years. 

However, after serving as the team’s primary punter for most of the preseason, Bowden was relegated to the practice squad as the Buccaneers signed another punter.

CODY GRIMM (THIRD PICK IN THE SEVENTH ROUND, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS)

Grimm was arguably Tech’s best defensive player in the 2009 season. He signed a four-year contract worth $1.85 million in July.

Grimm will face a position change as he played several variations of linebacker for Tech but will now play safety for the Buccaneers. 

In his first season however, Grimm will receive most of his playing time as a member of the special teams unit, a role in which he excelled during his first few seasons at Tech.

A version of this article appeared in the Sep 10 issue of the Collegiate Times.