Ernest Wilford
Encyclopedia
Ernest Lee Wilford, Jr. is an American football
wide receiver
who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars
in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Virginia Tech
.
Wilford has also played for the Miami Dolphins
.
and played football for Armstrong High School in Richmond. He participated in Indoor and Outdoor track, also in Varsity football.
at Virginia Tech
. Wilford graduated as the Hokies' career leader in receptions. He currently holds the team records for most passes caught in a season, most receiving yards in a game, and most touchdown receptions in a game.
in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL Draft
.
on February 29, 2008. The deal was worth $13 million over four years, and included a $6 million signing bonus. He appeared in seven games for the Dolphins in 2008 (starting none) and caught just three passes for 25 yards.
The Dolphins converted Wilford to tight end
during the 2009 offseason, but released him prior to the regular season on August 24.
Wilford was released on September 4, 2010. On Thursday September 16, 2010 the Jaguars re-signed Wilford back to the 53 man roster stating that he provides a veteran who is familiar with the system and can contribute on special teams. Also his salary is not guaranteed, making Wilford a low-risk investment. To make room for Wilford on the roster, the team has released wide out John Matthews. Wilford also played tight end in addition to wide receiver.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
.
Wilford has also played for the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early years
Wilford graduated from Fork Union Military AcademyFork Union Military Academy
Fork Union Military Academy is a private, military boarding school located in the town of Fork Union, Virginia. The school is more commonly known by its acronym FUMA ....
and played football for Armstrong High School in Richmond. He participated in Indoor and Outdoor track, also in Varsity football.
College career
Wilford played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
. Wilford graduated as the Hokies' career leader in receptions. He currently holds the team records for most passes caught in a season, most receiving yards in a game, and most touchdown receptions in a game.
First stint with Jaguars
Wilford was drafted by the Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
.
Miami Dolphins
Wilford signed with the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on February 29, 2008. The deal was worth $13 million over four years, and included a $6 million signing bonus. He appeared in seven games for the Dolphins in 2008 (starting none) and caught just three passes for 25 yards.
The Dolphins converted Wilford to tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
during the 2009 offseason, but released him prior to the regular season on August 24.
Second stint with Jaguars
Wilford re-signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 25, 2009. On May 21, 2010, Wilford cut his hair which had been growing for over six years in recognition of Jacksonville's Wolfson Children's Hospital cancer unit, as a donation.Wilford was released on September 4, 2010. On Thursday September 16, 2010 the Jaguars re-signed Wilford back to the 53 man roster stating that he provides a veteran who is familiar with the system and can contribute on special teams. Also his salary is not guaranteed, making Wilford a low-risk investment. To make room for Wilford on the roster, the team has released wide out John Matthews. Wilford also played tight end in addition to wide receiver.