During the off-season, Virginia football fans have grown used to watching high-profile players leave the program under various unsavory circumstances. Jameel Sewell, Jeff Fitzgerald, and J’Courtney Williams have all been booted from the team for reasons ranging from substandard academic performance to alleged credit card fraud. This weekend, the NFL Draft provided an opportunity for Wahoos everywhere to celebrate the accomplishments of three Cavaliers who were outstanding representatives of the University during their time on grounds.
Former Cavaliers made a splash on the first day of the draft, which encompasses the preliminary rounds. The Saint Louis Rams selected stud defensive end and school legend Chris Long with the second overall pick, hoping to solidify a young defensive front. Thirteen picks later, the Kansas City Chiefs took offensive lineman Branden Albert in an effort to rebuild the line for their run-heavy offense.
The two prospects took markedly different routes to their respective selections. Long seemed destined for NFL millions the day he set foot on campus. His biggest decision was to stay for his fourth and final season of eligibility; in doing so, Long rewarded the program with a fantastic season - even winning the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. The son of Oakland Raiders great Howie Long emerged from his father’s shadow with a spectacular senior year, one that only increased his draft stock as he led the team to a 9-4 mark. His rock-solid fundamentals, impressive character, and unstoppable motor placed him as a projected top-3 defensive end and granted him "cant-miss" status for essentially the entire draft process.
Albert, however, flew under the radars of NFL scouts until recently. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman left school after his junior season to pursue his pro career. Originally projected as a second-round pick, Albert flew up draft boards after workouts that displayed his monstrous size and outstanding athletic ability
Originally projected as a second-round pick, Albert flew up draft boards after workouts that displayed his monstrous size and outstanding athletic ability 
. Though he played guard at UVA, the Chiefs likely see Albert as a tackle at the professional level. The looming transition concerns some who evaluated the draftee, but the fact that teams looked at the former Wahoo as both a guard and tackle is a testament to his versatility as a player.
For a while, it looked as though Long and Albert would be the only two Virginia alums to take their games to the next level immediately after school. Then, as the second day drew to a close, the Indianapolis Colts surprised some by selecting tight end Tom Santi with the 30th pick in the sixth round, at #196 overall. The Colts had already selected a tight end (Jacob Tamme of Kentucky) with their third round pick, but felt that Santi provided a better pass-catching presence from along the line. The Colts envision Santi as their back-up tight end - a position they use more than most teams.
Still, it is likely that down the road, Albert and especially Long will be the UVA alums with the greatest NFL impact. Albert has the size and the potential to enhance Kansas City’s run game, which ranked last in pro football in 2007. And though many experts doubt his ability to replicate his father’s production, Long will be given the chance to immediately stabilize the defensive line in St. Louis, having already been named a starter for the 2008 season. Most experts termed Long the safest pick in the draft because of his all-around ability, something the Rams need considering their spotty recent history with defensive line draftees.
Current Wahoo fans hope to see these top picks enjoy the level of success achieved by other recent highly-touted Cavaliers, such as D’Brickashaw Ferguson (#4 overall in 2006), Thomas Jones (#7 in 2000), and James Farrior (#8 in 1997). The selections of Long, Albert, and Santi gave Virginia fans closure to three fantastic careers, and helped those same fans celebrate former members of the program who represent their team and University in the finest of fashions.
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