History of Chicago LBs thrill Kwiatkoski on draft day
Nick Kwiatkoski could feel himself becoming anxious.
The former West Virginia linebacker was at home in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania on Saturday, watching the 2016 NFL Draft. Only to see name after name aside from own, appear on the television screen, Kwiatkoski was more than ready to receive some good news.
Just a few minutes before 1:00 p.m., he got the phone call he was waiting for. The Chicago Bears traded up to select Kwiatkoski in the fourth round with overall pick No. 113.
“It was definitely a waiting game,” Kwiatkoski told WVSports.com in a phone interview Saturday afternoon. “It didn’t hit me until I started watching the draft today and it kept going and going. Just sitting and watching it, the anticipation just built and built, so I’m glad I went when I did because I probably couldn’t have waited much longer.”
“The phone was really passed around to everyone in Chicago. I got to talk to everyone from the defensive staff, the general manager and the head coach, so the feeling is still unbelievable.”
From Dick Butkus to Mike Singletary to Brian Urlacher, Chicago is known for its great history at the linebacker position.
Throughout his career in Morgantown, Kwiatkoski racked up more than 300 tackles. He also totaled six interceptions.
As a senior, he was named West Virginia’s defensive player of the year, a ProFootballFocus first-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 choice by the league.
“Production shows how a career goes. In most cases, teams always want someone that is durable and someone who doesn’t miss games. I think that’s something that had to pop out for them (the Bears),” Kwiatkoski said.
“But the Bears linebackers, that's the first thing I thought of. I grew up watching Brian Urlacher, so to go there, it’s a great place to go play linebacker.”
During the pre-draft process, Kwiatkoski didn’t workout privately for the organization or take a visit to team facilities. He simply spoke on the phone a few times with personnel from the Bears.
Kwiatkoski is the seventh West Virginia player all-time to be selected by the Bears during an NFL Draft.
Most recently, Chicago picked wide receiver Kevin White with the seventh overall choice last year. Kwiatkoski is thrilled to rejoin his old teammate.
“I’ve been close with Kevin (White) since he was at West Virginia,” Kwiatkoski added. “I talked to him throughout the draft process and he helped me out. It’s a good thing to be back on the same team as him.”