Willie Drew

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Willie Drew
No. 23 – DC Defenders
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2000-07-05) July 5, 2000 (age 24)
Smithfield, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: Smithfield (Smithfield, Virginia)
College: James Madison (2018–2019)
Virginia State (2020–2023)
Undrafted: 2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Willie Robert Drew Jr. (born July 5, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at James Madison and Virginia State.

Contents

Early life and high school

Drew attended high school at Smithfield High School. In Drew's first game as a senior he set a school and Bay Rivers District record throwing for 388 yards and four touchdowns on 21 completions. [1] In his senior season, Drew notched 50 tackles with five interception. Drew was also the team's quarterback where he threw for 1,447 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,154 yards and 18 touchdowns. [2] Coming out of high school, Drew decided to commit to play college football for the FCS powerhouse James Madison Dukes. [3] [4]

College career

James Madison

Drew played two seasons with James Madison in 2018 and 2019 where he totaled nine tackles and two pass deflections in eleven games. [5]

Virginia State

In 2021, Drew decided to transfer to play for the Virginia State Trojans. [6] During the 2023 season, Drew tallied 16 pass deflections and six interception en route to being named an AFCA first-team All-American. [7] Drew finished his three year career with the Trojans playing in 27 games notching 37 pass deflections, 11 interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown. [8] Drew was also named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year. [9] After declaring for the 2024 NFL draft, Drew was invited to the Reese's senior bowl and to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. [10] [11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+5⁄8 in
(1.82 m)		191 lb
(87 kg)		32 in
(0.81 m)		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		4.46 s1.49 s2.58 s4.42 s6.90 s36 in
(0.91 m)		9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)		13 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [12] [13]

Carolina Panthers

Drew went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent. [14] [15] He was waived on August 27. [16]

DC Defenders

On December 4, 2024, Drew signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). [17]

References

  1. ↑ O'Brien, Marty (September 4, 2017). "Smithfield's Willie Drew passes for BRD record 388 yards". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  2. ↑ Yanchulis, Kate (December 23, 2017). "Daily Press All-Stars: Smithfield's Willie Drew ability to adapt bolstered his versatility". Daily Press. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  3. ↑ Yanchulis, Kate (December 20, 2017). "Smithfield's Willie Drew headlines quiet local signing day". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  4. ↑ O'Brien, Marty (October 6, 2017). "Smithfield's Willie Drew commits to play football for JMU". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Willie Drew". James Madison University Athletics. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  6. ↑ Berry, Mia (February 29, 2024). "Virginia State's Willie Drew looks to show his growth and versatility at NFL combine". Andscape. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  7. ↑ Madia, Greg (February 29, 2024). "Virginia State cornerback Willie Drew's 'long journey' leads him to the NFL Combine". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  8. ↑ Mosley, Kyle (March 2, 2024). "Willie Drew: 2024 NFL Scouting Combine". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Daniel (March 4, 2024). "WILLIE DREW, VIRGINIA STATE STANDOUT, HAS A SOLID 40-YARD DASH PERFORMANCE, POISED FOR NFL SUCCESS AFTER SHOWCASE". Black Enterprise. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  10. ↑ Hoffman, Jarrett (March 1, 2024). "See how fast Virginia State DB Willie Drew ran the 40-yard-dash at NFL Combine". HBCU Sports. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  11. ↑ Zierlein, Lance. "Willie Drew Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Willie Drew Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  13. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Willie Drew College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  14. ↑ Faleski, Stephen (April 30, 2024). "From Smithfield High to the NFL: Willie Drew signs with Panthers". Smithfield Times. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  15. ↑ Gantt, Darin (May 10, 2024). "Panthers make roster moves, including signing 19 undrafted free agents". Panthers.com.
  16. ↑ Gantt, Darin (August 27, 2024). "Panthers make moves to get to initial 53-man roster". Panthers.com.
  17. ↑ "UFL Transactions". UFLBoard.com. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
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