As WVU Football transitions into its next era under Rich Rodriguez, many former Mountaineers are transitioning to their next stage of life.
The three-day NFL Draft begins on Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and several WVU Football alumni will eagerly await hearing their names called.
Only offensive lineman Wyatt Milum appeared on recent seven-round mock drafts from CBS and The Athletic, making third round projections in both. CBS has Milum slated to go to Denver with the 85th pick. The Athletic lists him at pick 102, going to the Detroit Lions.
West Virginia prospects in CBS Sports’ top 400 rankings are also minimal, with only cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. joining Milum on the list. Hollis Jr. is listed at No. 359 on the prospect rankings. Milum ranks 60th.
Defensive lineman Sean Martin rounds out the group of Mountaineers with considerable draft attention, having received an invite to the scouting combine in February.
Martin placed last among the defensive edges in each event he participated at the combine, aside from the 3-cone drill, where he placed ninth out of 10 participants, and the bench press, where he ranked third.
With few former Mountaineers in line to be drafted, many will instead pursue contracts as undrafted free agents. This route was taken by Beanie Bishop Jr., Doug Nester, and Devin Carter last season.
For both Bishop Jr. and Nester, the path led to success, with both now playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Nester spending 2024 on the practice squad and Bishop Jr. playing a significant role on the secondary in every game.
Quarterback turned wide receiver Garrett Greene tops the list of potential undrafted Mountaineers to earn NFL opportunities. Greene reportedly attended NFL Pro Days with the Washington Commanders and Tennessee Titans ahead of the NFL Draft.
For Wyatt Milum, the journey to professional football starts with the first round on Thursday, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, in which he will anticipate having his name called. Other Mountaineers will wait eagerly on Saturday, April 26 for the final four rounds before the undrafted players’ signing period, beginning immediately after the NFL Draft’s conclusion.
