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So what do you do with the 27th ranked overall quarterback according to Rivals.com? Well, if you are Virginia Tech, you work him out at quarterback. Apparently the staff didn't like what it saw and moved him to corner. As a true freshman Kam Chancellor saw action in all 13 games producing 13 tackles and 1 interception.The following season, Bud Foster must have seen something he liked. He anointed Chancellor the starter at the "rover" position. I haven't seen too many pro bowl roster slots with the title "rover", but we would have to ask Bud about that.
Year three brought yet another position change, with Kam moving to free safety. He had a huge year for the Hokies registering 52 tackles, 2 picks, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was a ball hawking safety who liked contact, and the ball seemed to find his hands more often than not. Chancellor considered leaving Blacksburg for the draft, but after being projected a third round pick at best, decided on returning for his senior season.
After a very solid senior campaign, Kam entered the draft with the following measurables:
2010 NFL Combine[edit]
| Ht | Wt | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yd dash | 10-yd split | 20-yd split | 20-ss | 3-cone | Vert | Broad | BP | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3¼ in | 231 lb | 33 in | 9½ in | 4.59 s | 1.61 s | 2.67 s | 4.41 s | 7.36 s | 32 in | 9 ft 9 in | 22 reps | ||||||||
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All values from NFL Combine
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He was selected of course by Seattle in the fifth round, and the rest is history. Richard Sherman might be the face to the Legion Of Boom, but Chancellor is the enforcer. Luca Brasi was the most feared hit man in The Godfather. Michael Corleone was the face, but if you really needed a "favor" you called Luca. The Seahawks consider Chancellor that guy. Kam makes the same game changing hits in Seattle as he did in Blacksburg. When the Seahawks need to make a statement with physicality early, look for Chancellor to deliver. Whether it be in run support, or in coverage, Kam will have his Hokie handprint all over this game against the Packers on Sunday.
Adding to the intrigue, Chancellor faces Jarrett Boykin, a fellow Hokie. I would have paid to see that matchup on the practice fields surrounding Lane Stadium.
Chancellor always admired the late Sean Taylor. Taylor's size and speed were similar to Kam's. "[He was a] big safety, the prototype guy for the position. I'm a big safety, too, and I've just always wanted to be just like him. I don't necessarily say I can be Sean Taylor before it's over, but I think I can be just as good."[9]
Unfortunately for all football fans, we never go to see what Taylor could have been. We do, however, have the pleasure of watching Chancellor deliver the mail on Sundays. We also have the memories of Chancellor stalking the secondary in Blackburg and bringing that same intensity that makes him an All-Pro.
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