Chestnut Makes Titans Roster, Sokol Signed to Practice Squad
8/31/2022 12:22:00 PM | Football
Chestnut is first Pioneer on an NFL Roster since 2011.
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Julius Chestnut's Sacred Heart University football career was marked by a number of historical moments. While no longer in a Pioneer uniform, Chestnut continues to make history for the program, making the Tennessee Titans' 53-man roster on Tuesday.
Fellow SHU alum Josh Sokol was released by the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, but was signed to the practice squad soon thereafter. Both Chestnut and Sokol joined their teams as unrestricted free agents.
"You won't find two people more deserving than Julius and Josh," SHU head coach Mark Nofri said. "As good as they are on the field, they're both even better people. They have set the standard and developed the culture that is SHU football.
"There isn't a harder worker than Julius. He worked twice as hard to prove that he could compete at the highest level, and he's defied the odds. When we talk about SHU Grit, we're talking about Josh Sokol. His hard work, leadership and determination are unmatched."
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. He appeared in 43 games, making 37 tackles.
Chestnut first caught the attention of NFL teams during the spring season of 2021 when he finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting after leading the FCS with 205.2 all-purpose yards per game and a program-record 171.0 rushing yards per game. A consensus First-Team All-American, he finished his career second in school history with 3,467 yards and his 34 touchdowns are third all-time.
"It's truly a blessing to be given this opportunity," Chestnut said. "It's a dream come true to be able to continue to compete with the best of the best. I want to thank coach Nofri and the SHU staff for helping me get to the next level. I grew up with the mentality that I'm going to fight and work hard every day, and just because I'm on the team now doesn't mean that I can let up. I have to continue to work hard to prove I belong here."
Hoping to follow Corto's path from practice squad player to the active roster, Sokol played in all three Vikings' preseason games at center. Twice named captain, Sokol played in 41 games at SHU and was the anchor to one of the top rushing attacks in the country. Success for Sokol wasn't limited to the football field as he earned a spot on the FCS ADA Academic All-Start Team and was a two-year CoSIDA Academic All-District recipient.
"It means a lot to me to keep playing football and it's an honor to be a member of the Minnesota Vikings, "Sokol said. "I want to be a good example for young players, especially at Sacred Heart. SHU, coach Nofri and his staff have meant so much and helped me get to where I am today. This journey for me has been very challenging at times but with the help of my family and friends I have made it this far and look to continue to develop and keep playing football for many years to come."
Tennessee opens the season on September 11 against the New York Giants while the Vikings play NFC North Division rival Green Bay.
Fellow SHU alum Josh Sokol was released by the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, but was signed to the practice squad soon thereafter. Both Chestnut and Sokol joined their teams as unrestricted free agents.
"You won't find two people more deserving than Julius and Josh," SHU head coach Mark Nofri said. "As good as they are on the field, they're both even better people. They have set the standard and developed the culture that is SHU football.
"There isn't a harder worker than Julius. He worked twice as hard to prove that he could compete at the highest level, and he's defied the odds. When we talk about SHU Grit, we're talking about Josh Sokol. His hard work, leadership and determination are unmatched."
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. He appeared in 43 games, making 37 tackles.
Chestnut first caught the attention of NFL teams during the spring season of 2021 when he finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting after leading the FCS with 205.2 all-purpose yards per game and a program-record 171.0 rushing yards per game. A consensus First-Team All-American, he finished his career second in school history with 3,467 yards and his 34 touchdowns are third all-time.
"It's truly a blessing to be given this opportunity," Chestnut said. "It's a dream come true to be able to continue to compete with the best of the best. I want to thank coach Nofri and the SHU staff for helping me get to the next level. I grew up with the mentality that I'm going to fight and work hard every day, and just because I'm on the team now doesn't mean that I can let up. I have to continue to work hard to prove I belong here."
Hoping to follow Corto's path from practice squad player to the active roster, Sokol played in all three Vikings' preseason games at center. Twice named captain, Sokol played in 41 games at SHU and was the anchor to one of the top rushing attacks in the country. Success for Sokol wasn't limited to the football field as he earned a spot on the FCS ADA Academic All-Start Team and was a two-year CoSIDA Academic All-District recipient.
"It means a lot to me to keep playing football and it's an honor to be a member of the Minnesota Vikings, "Sokol said. "I want to be a good example for young players, especially at Sacred Heart. SHU, coach Nofri and his staff have meant so much and helped me get to where I am today. This journey for me has been very challenging at times but with the help of my family and friends I have made it this far and look to continue to develop and keep playing football for many years to come."
Tennessee opens the season on September 11 against the New York Giants while the Vikings play NFC North Division rival Green Bay.
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