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Nicknamed
"the Tractor" by former Commodore Head Coach George
MacIntyre, Will Wolford is regarded as the finest offensive
lineman in Vanderbilt's modern-day history.
Wolford, who played left guard and right tackle as a four-year
letter winner, earned unanimous first-team All-SEC honors
as a senior in 1985.
Wolford
was a key contributor from the time he arrived on campus in
Nashville, earning freshman All-American honors as a starting
tackle in 1982. He helped that squad to an 8-3 regular season
and berth in the Hall of Fame Bowl.
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Over
the next three years, Wolford became one of the nation's top
blockers, blending strength and speed with a 6-6, 275-pound
frame. During his final season, Coach MacIntyre described
Wolford as, "the best lineman in the country."
After
his senior year, the native of Louisville, Kentucky impressed
professional scouts at both the Senior Bowl and the discontinued
Blue-Gray Classic. Taken by Buffalo as the 20th pick of the
1986 NFL draft, Wolford remains the only Commodore offensive
lineman ever selected in the first round.
As
it turned out, Wolford joined the Bills at the perfect time.
Just six days after signing with the team, a quarterback named
Jim Kelly joined the team. When Coach Marv Levy arrived, he
moved Wolford from right guard to left tackle. In 1988, two
seasons after winning only four games, the Bills went 12-4
and made it to the AFC Championship Game. After another two
seasons passed, Buffalo made its first appearance in the Super
Bowl.
Wolford
was a three-time NFL Pro-Bowler and appeared in three Super
Bowls. During his NFL career, he played for the Buffalo Bills,
the Indianapolis Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following
the '93 campaign, Indianapolis shocked the Bills by offering
Wolford a reported three-year, $7.65 million contract, which
made him the highest paid lineman in the league times two.
They put in a playing-time clause that would guarantee Wolford
to be the highest paid player on the team.
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