WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary All-America offensive lineman Charles Grant was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 99th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday.
Grant is W&M’s highest drafted player since Derek Cox, who was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 73rd pick in 2009.
Additionally, Grant is the second Tribe player drafted in the last three years and the eighth since 2009, as most recently offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round in 2023. The Portsmouth, Va., native joins an impressive list of former Tribe standouts who are currently on NFL rosters – Nate Lynn (Lions), Bill Murray (Bears), Luke Rhodes (Colts), Sorsdal (Lions) and Owen Wright (Ravens).
A consensus first-team All-America selection in 2024 (Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Stats Perform, Phil Steele, Walter Camp, FCS Athletic Directors Association and FCS Football Central), Grant anchored the Tribe’s offensive line and finished his career with 41 starts, including a streak of 36 straight games.
Additionally, the three-time first-team All-CAA honoree was the nation’s first player to earn and accept an invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl and was also invited to the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.
En route to being the only offensive lineman selected as a 2024 Payton Award Watch List Finalist (FCS National Offensive Player of the Year), Grant, a team captain, allowed just one sack in 2024 and just two sacks during his final three seasons.
As a senior he helped W&M rank fourth nationally in rushing (232.8) and 24th in total offense (413.2), while the Tribe ranked 13th nationally in rushing (196.9) in 2023 and third (265.8) in 2022. During his sophomore season, the Tribe ranked fourth nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game (0.77).
In addition to his success on the field, Grant distinguished himself in the community as a bone marrow donor and volunteer. He was honored as a finalist for the 2023 Wells Fargo Advisors Humanitarian Award by the Touchdown Club of Richmond and was a AFCA Good Works Team nominee. He also earned CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll accolades for his success in the classroom.
