Chestnut and Sokol Sign with NFL Teams
4/30/2022 10:23:00 PM | Football
Chestnut goes to Titans, Sokol joins the Vikings.
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The dream of playing in the NFL became a reality for Sacred Heart University's Julius Chestnut and Josh Sokol on Saturday. Chestnut will join the Tennessee Titans while Sokol is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Both signed as undrafted free agents.
The last Pioneer to play in the NFL was Jon Corto who signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills and played from 2007-11.
"We couldn't be happier for both Julius and Josh," SHU head coach Mark Nofri said. "This is a great day for them, their families and SHU football. Both have set the example of what it means to be a SHU football player. This is a great opportunity for them to play at the next level."
Chestnut embarks on a professional career after leaving Sacred Heart as one of the best running backs to play for the Pioneers. His 3,467 rushing yards ranks second in program history and his 34 total touchdowns puts him third all-time. He was named NEC Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year during his four seasons.
"Not only are the Titans getting a great running back, but they are getting an even better person," Nofri added. "Julius been one of the hardest workers on the field and the weight room since he came to Sacred Heart, and I expect the same of him at the next level."
During an abbreviated spring season of 2021, Chestnut became a household name in collegiate football circles. He led the FCS with 205.2 all-purpose yards per game and a program-record 171.0 rushing yards per game while finishing third in the Walter Payton Award voting. A knee injury derailed much of his senior season, but he averaged over 100 yards in the four contests he played and earned his third All-NEC award.
A two-year team captain, Sokol played in 41 games and was anchor to one of the top rushing attacks in the country. This season the Pioneers ranked 11th in the FCS with 211.1 rushing yards per game and Malik Grant was fourth in the nation after Chestnut was the top runner in the spring.
"When Sokol gets into camp with the Vikings, he is going to turn some heads," Nofri noted. "You're not going to find a smarter football player who is dedicated to winning and getting better every day."
Success for Sokol isn't limited to the football field. Working on his master's in criminal justice where he has a 4.0 grade point average, he earned a spot on the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Start Team and was a two-year CoSIDA Academic All-District recipient.
The last Pioneer to play in the NFL was Jon Corto who signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills and played from 2007-11.
"We couldn't be happier for both Julius and Josh," SHU head coach Mark Nofri said. "This is a great day for them, their families and SHU football. Both have set the example of what it means to be a SHU football player. This is a great opportunity for them to play at the next level."
Chestnut embarks on a professional career after leaving Sacred Heart as one of the best running backs to play for the Pioneers. His 3,467 rushing yards ranks second in program history and his 34 total touchdowns puts him third all-time. He was named NEC Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year during his four seasons.
"Not only are the Titans getting a great running back, but they are getting an even better person," Nofri added. "Julius been one of the hardest workers on the field and the weight room since he came to Sacred Heart, and I expect the same of him at the next level."
During an abbreviated spring season of 2021, Chestnut became a household name in collegiate football circles. He led the FCS with 205.2 all-purpose yards per game and a program-record 171.0 rushing yards per game while finishing third in the Walter Payton Award voting. A knee injury derailed much of his senior season, but he averaged over 100 yards in the four contests he played and earned his third All-NEC award.
A two-year team captain, Sokol played in 41 games and was anchor to one of the top rushing attacks in the country. This season the Pioneers ranked 11th in the FCS with 211.1 rushing yards per game and Malik Grant was fourth in the nation after Chestnut was the top runner in the spring.
"When Sokol gets into camp with the Vikings, he is going to turn some heads," Nofri noted. "You're not going to find a smarter football player who is dedicated to winning and getting better every day."
Success for Sokol isn't limited to the football field. Working on his master's in criminal justice where he has a 4.0 grade point average, he earned a spot on the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Start Team and was a two-year CoSIDA Academic All-District recipient.
Players Mentioned
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