Virginia Safety Juan Thornhill Drafted By The Kansas City Chiefs

By: Chris Horne |
Juan Thornhill celebrates in the Virginia’s blowout win over South Carolina in the 2018 Belk Bowl. On Friday, he celebrated for a different reason. ~ Photo courtesy Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics Media Relations

University of Virginia senior safety Juan Thornhill realized his NFL dream on Friday (April 27), when he was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 63rd overall pick in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Thornhill becomes UVA’s highest draft selection since 2011, when the New England Patriots took defensive back Ras-I Dowling with the 33rd overall pick in the second round.

Virginia rising junior safety Joey Blount was with Thornhill when the Chiefs made the call.

Thornhill, an integral part of three varsity basketball and two football state championships in his time at Altavista High School (VA), was recruited to Virginia by head coach Mike London in the class of 2015. He played in nine games under London as a true freshman before blossoming over the course of the next three seasons under the tutelage of head coach Bronco Mendenhall, seeing action at both cornerback and safety while starting 36 games for the Cavaliers.

Thornhill started all 13 games this past season at strong safety. The position was a natural fit as he established career highs in tackles (98, including 62 solo) and interceptions (6) on his way to earning All-ACC First Team honors. Thornhill helped Virginia to an 8-5 record and a Belk Bowl victory – the program’s postseason bowl win since 2005 – in 2018.

For his career, Thornhill tallied 13 interceptions, all in the past three seasons. He becomes the first Virginia safety drafted into the NFL since Anthony Poindexter was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round (216) in 1999.

The 2019 NFL Draft concludes on Saturday (April 27) with rounds 4-7. Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus and cornerback Tim Harris are among other Hoos hoping to hear their names called. In the meantime, check out more from social media below, including the Kansas City Chiefs’ phone call informing Thornhill of their selection as well Chiefs official team reporter BJ Kissel’s interview with the Virginia star.