Since the NFL Draft began in 1936, 134 Virginia players, including those from this year's class, have been selected to play in the NFL. Former Virginia tight end Heath Miller, who was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft (30th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers, became the Virginia program's 12th first-round pick.
Because the University attracts high-quality players, graduates generally are prepared for the intensity required to play professionally.
You have to be "disciplined, hard-nosed and smart," said Chris Luzar, a former Virginia and current New York Giant tight end. "Also you can't be a dummy to play at Virginia. The amount of mental preparation [in the NFL] is a lot higher than college ball. There are a lot more plays, more defense, more offense -- just a lot more going on."
Discipline is necessary to deal with the more advanced levels of sophistication in the pros.
"I think that would be commented on any player that is going to make the jump from Division I football to the NFL," athletic director Craig Littlepage said. "They need to have a discipline and work ethic that goes beyond what you see routinely in college football."
The hard work instilled as college football players at Virginia is not the only factor necessary to survive in the NFL -- the ability to adjust to the professional game is key.
"The speed of the game is the biggest difference going from college to the NFL," former Virginia and current Broncos defensive tackle Monsanto Pope said.
Not only is the speed different, but the level of competition is, too. The NFL Draft selects the best 250 to 260 players every year to develop and compete with the already established talent.
"The intensity of the game [is a difference]," former Virginia and current New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks said. "Everything is better."
With preparation, continued hard work and playing time, rookies can adjust to the different tempo of the professional game. However, the necessary preparation has different motives than it did in college.
"Playing in the NFL is a privilege," Brooks said. "It is a privilege that, at any moment, can change."
According to a NFL Players Association survey, the average career span of an NFL player is three and a half full seasons. This low number is a result of both injuries and player transactions. Thus, the need for preparation is a more serious issue.
"It is like a job," Luzar said. "In college, it is a lot of fun. It was an hour meeting and practice for two hours. Now, you meet all day and then you practice and then you meet some more. It is more like a regular job as opposed to fun. If you mess up in college, you know you are okay because they cannot kick you out of school. But if you mess up here, you know you are out on the street."
A player's performance is one of the determining factors in the opportunities a player has with a team.
"Now it is about job security," Luzar said. "You have to put food on the table -- that motivates you; however, it is just more fun than having a regular desk job."
Despite the mental and physical rigors, the NFL provides an excellent opportunity for football players to continue their careers and provide entertainment for fans all over the world.
"It has been good, it has been a lot of fun," Luzar said. "Once I got drafted by the Jaguars, I reached my goal. Being able to stay in the NFL has been a blessing."
Luzar was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2002 draft. After his release on September 6, 2004, Luzar signed with the Giants.
Brooks is entering his seventh year in the NFL after playing for Virginia from 1996 to 2000. He originally was drafted in the third round in 2000 by the Green Bay Packers where he was the third-string quarterback until he was traded to the Saints the following year.
Pope, who played for Virginia from 1997 to 2000, has spent his entire four-year professional career with the Broncos after being drafted in the seventh round in the 2002 draft.
Former Virginia players in the NFL have been a great indication of the types of players who have attended the University. With this year's draft class yet to perform on the big stage, Virginia fans can hope to see the careers of future NFL players develop. Based on the characteristics of previous Virginia players in the league now, the rookies' future looks very bright.
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