Charles Snowden is ready for his NFL Draft moment
Former University of Virginia linebacker Charles Snowden is about to see his life change. This weekend, he’ll find his NFL destination.
The time has come.
For Charles Snowden and a few hundred others, this weekend represents the moment where their lives take a drastic turn.
After years of fighting for a goal, they’re about to achieve the first part of it. They’re going to the NFL.
In Snowden’s case, the road has been winding. He originally loved basketball before finding a passion for football over his last two years in high school. At Virginia, the 6-foot-7 linebacker turned into one of the ACC’s best before sustaining an ankle injury which cut his senior season short.
Now, about 85 percent healed from the setback, Snowden is ready for the next step in his journey.
“I’m more excited than anything,” Snowden said. “I know there’s so much that’s out of my control that I’m not worried about, not stressing about where I end up. I’m just enjoying the process and excited to know what the next couple years look like.”
During the NFL Draft, Snowden will be surrounded by close family and friends. They’re renting out a suite in the downtown Washington D.C. Marriott, watching the names tick off while they wait for a familiar one to be revealed.
“Just hearing my name called, seeing it come across the bottom on ESPN, that will be the coolest thing in the world,” Snowden said.
Snowden, who realistically expects to hear his name between rounds 4-6, is hopeful. Like almost all prospects, he doesn’t have a preferred destination, at least not one which he’ll admit to.
Over the past few months, the Maryland native has been putting in arduous rehab work. He’s now back in Charlottesville rehabbing on campus, with his weight at his goal of 247 pounds. He attended the Senior Bowl without being able to participate, but did well in team interviews. He’s been part of many since, and while he still wasn’t cleared for football activities at the Virginia pro day, impressed with his bench reps.
In short, Snowden has done everything possible to put himself in a good spot for this weekend. Now it’s a matter of seeing which team believes in him enough to spend valued draft capital on his talent.
Finally, the moment has arrived.
“It’s definitely relief,” Snowden said. “It almost doesn’t feel real but now it does as I get closer. Less relief and more just excitement.”
This weekend, Snowden’s life will forever change. He’s ready to embrace the next part of his football odyssey.