Virginia State’s Willie Drew looks to show his growth and versatility at NFL combine

Virginia State University cornerback Willie Drew remembers the moment he realized his childhood dream of playing pro football could become a reality.

“After my junior year, I really knew I had a shot of going to the NFL,” Drew told Andscape. “Just in the offseason, I doubled down even harder with the guys. We used to have, like, late-night summer workouts, so it’s just a double down even harder than what I did at the end of my sophomore season.”

After dealing with injuries early in his collegiate career, the coronavirus pandemic and a transfer to a new school, the 6-foot Smithfield, Virginia, native figured out how to make his play on the field stand out. Drew, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s defensive player of the year, and Howard University offensive lineman Anim Dankwah are the only two players from historically Black colleges and universities to receive an invitation to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week.

“I’m fluid, and I’m fresh. That’s all I really want to show [scouts],” Drew said. “I’m just going to keep grinding.”

Drew spent two seasons at James Madison University before transferring to Virginia State in 2021. He earned a reputation for being a ballhawk after totaling a combined 11 interceptions in his last two seasons of college. This past season the graduate senior tallied 34 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 16 pass breakups. In the NCAA Division II rankings, he was No. 2 in passes defended per game (2.2) and No. 4 in interceptions per game (0.6). He also was the first Virginia State player to be invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, where on Feb. 3 he had the opportunity to meet with all 32 NFL teams and compete against some of the top players in the country.

“[The Senior Bowl] was a great experience from going from the [Division II] level and then going against some of the best players in the world,” he said. “It wasn’t a challenge, but I had to make some adjustments [to] my technique.”

Now, his only focus at the NFL combine is to show scouts he has improved since they last saw him a few weeks ago.

“I’m looking forward to it because a lot of people don’t get this opportunity,” he said. “So, I’m excited for it. It’s like almost another game day. … I feel well prepared for it. I’m ready.”

In his meetings with scouts, Drew is selling himself as an adaptable player, and that he’s comfortable playing either man-to-man or zone defense. He also hasn’t ruled out a position change to safety or a nickel corner in the league.

“Anywhere on the field, against anybody, I can play. I feel like I’m just a versatile corner and I can do it all,” Drew said.

After the football season ended, Drew moved to Texas, where most of his days are spent at an Exos training facility working on his defensive techniques and improving the fluidity in his movements.

Virginia State football coach Henry Frazier III said Drew was a player who desired to get better every day.

“We had all 32 teams come [to Virginia State]. It seemed like every practice there was an NFL team there to watch him,” Frazier said. “And he was very consistent. It didn’t go to his head. He wasn’t one of those prima donna-type kids. He’s a humble guy. … It’s hard to find those 6-foot corners that are physical as Willie.”

Drew’s physical style of play is a result of growing up with four older brothers, whom he credits with teaching him how to be tough and play football. While at Virginia State, it took a full season before Drew found his niche with the Trojans’ defense.

“I would say I adjusted to the game speed [and] knowing the defense, so everything slowed down,” Drew said. “If you knew the difference, well, you knew where your help was. That [helped] the game slow down a lot for you, and that makes the game easier.”

Drew and Virginia State running back Rayquan Smith, a fellow graduate senior, were transfers from Division I programs for the Trojans this season. Smith remembers the daily competitions in practice and saw the impact Drew had on the program.

“[He] was very successful this year in the CIAA because he was a talented, hardworking and versatile player who excelled in both coverage and run support,” Smith said. “He had a knack for making big plays and disrupting the opponent’s passing game. He also had a lot of experience and leadership skills that helped him and his teammates perform at a high level.”

Smith said Drew prided himself on his defensive techniques and when opposing quarterbacks tried to challenge him, he wasn’t a player who could be easily exploited.

“There’s no way an offense can play bully ball with him because, regardless of the size matchup, Willie has that dog in him that won’t let him be picked on, unlike most corners you see in today’s game,” Smith said.

If selected in this year’s NFL draft, Drew will be the second Division II HBCU player drafted in the last three years. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams, a Fayetteville State University alum, was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

CIAA alums Williams, Washington Commanders defensive end Joshua Pryor (Bowie State University) and Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Kion Smith (Fayetteville State) are among Division II athletes from HBCUs who played on an active NFL roster last season.

“I believe those guys that did get drafted from the CIAA laid a foundation, not only for the CIAA but for the other [Division II] guys coming up as well,” Drew said. “That’s a blessing just to show that you can make it from anywhere. No matter how big or small the school is, if you’re a good player, a good person at heart, they’ll come find you.”

Throughout his six-year college career, Drew has learned a lot of lessons that have helped him throughout his draft process. 

“My whole [collegiate] career I had a new position coach every year. So adopting the coaching styles, it was easy for me … I learned you just gotta be coachable and be able to adapt to your situation,” he said.

Frazier is excited about the upcoming draft and can envision Drew having a successful career at the next level.

“[He’s a] lockdown cornerback that’ll take your best receiver. He did that for us, and he relished those opportunities,” Frazier said. “So I think when he gets to a nice, fluid situation with coaching and be able to get that training for two or three years, I can see Willie Drew being an All-Pro cornerback. I really can’t wait to see that happen.”