After waiting two days for their names to be called in the NFL draft, two former Valdosta State football standouts officially have their chance at a pro career.

Following the draft Tim Thompson and Richard Collier signed with NFL teams to attend mini camps and crack a roster spot.

Thompson, a defensive end at VSU, inked a two-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, and Collier, an offensive lineman, signed a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Both were disappointed that they didn’t get selected in the draft but are thrilled at the chance to go pro.

“It feels good,” Collier said. “It’s a little disappointing that I didn’t get drafted, but all I wanted was an opportunity.

“It made me feel a lot better,” Thompson said. “I’m glad they called. It was a relief off me.”

Collier will use the thought of not getting drafted as extra motivation to prove himself to the Jaguars and the rest of the league.

“Right now I have a chip on my shoulder, I’m ready to go out and play ball,” Collier said. “(I’m motivated) 100 percent more.

“I would have been hungry because I know I had something to prove. Now I really have a lot to prove that a lot of teams missed out on a good player.”

Up to 20 teams rang Collier’s phone during the draft including the Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints, but none pulled the trigger on the selection.

The 6-foot-7, 325-pound lineman visited with the Jaguars before the draft and heard from assistant coach Mike Tice and line coach Andy Heck.

“Jacksonville did a very good job of selling themselves to him,” Collier’s agent Jeff Jankovich said. “It’s a good fit for him on the business end of it. He’ll prove some people wrong, and we’ll deal with it in free agency.”

In the long run, ending up with the Jaguars might have been the best route for the Shreveport, La. native.

Not only does Collier have family in the Jacksonville area, but the coaches have already expressed that he can compete for a job as soon as next weekend’s mini camp.

“I actually have a chance to come in and make some noise early,” Collier said. “I talked to the coaches, and they said they are looking for guys on both sides of the ball.

“They said I could come in and really make some noise real early.”

Depth chart implications also made Thompson’s signing with the Titans a good fit.

Many speculated that the 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end would need to move to linebacker because of his lack of size and to use his speed.

However, the team that drafted well-known speed rusher Javon Kearse utilizes smaller ends.

“Their system has small ends,” Thompson said. “That’s where they’ll keep me at and see what I’m all about.”

Tennessee scouts watched Thompson throughout the year and were represented at all of his pro days.

“They look for players to get up the field and rush the passer,” Thompson’s agent Mathew LaValle said. “That’s what he showed he can do at Valdosta State.

“The acclimation period isn’t going to be as intense.”

An acclimation period wasn’t an issue for Thompson no matter which team would want him to play what position.

“I’m just glad they chose me to come up there,” Thompson said. “I just want to get my foot in the door.

“If they wanted me to play safety, I’ll play safety.”

No matter the position, both players will continue the success they had at VSU and use it to translate into NFL success.

“I’m excited for Tim and Richard,” VSU coach Chris Hatcher said. “I always expected what they needed was an opportunity to show their skills in the NFL. Now they get a chance to see what they do with it.”