Former Michigan defensive lineman Chris Wormley will remain under the Harbaugh influence for the foreseeable future. The standout was disappointed to fall to the third round, having projected as high as the second, but he couldn't have asked for a much better opportunity under John Harbaugh in Baltimore.
Wormley will join former U-M line teammate Willie Henry after being drafted 74th overall.
"I had lunch with [Ravens defensive line] coach [Joe] Cullen before Pro Day and had spoken to him a couple times before the draft," Wormley said. "I saw him at the combine ... I had a decent idea, and my agent was saying that they had some interest in me.
"I’m super excited to be a part of the organization and super excited to get started. From that standpoint, I kind of had an idea, but I think as any player in the draft, it’s a little bit of a shock, but also very exciting."
Baltimore finished No. 24 out of 32 teams in sacks last season and will ask Wormley to help rectify that. He registered 12.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons and insists he'll be the same, 'hard working' guy he was in Ann Arbor.
"The Ravens are known for their defense, and I'm going to be that defensive player they can count on.," he said. "I can play ... make big plays and be there for a long time, hopefully."
Former Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison believes he's got it in him.
"I think the sky's the limit for Chris," Mattison said in release. "... Whoever gets him is going to get an outstanding football player. He is very, very strong, he’s explosive, he showed his speed at 299 pounds. I think that whoever gets Chris Wormley is going to get a great football player.
"Chris' character is off the charts. Chris Wormley is a special person. Any team that drafts him will learn that real fast."
Wormley has also gotten to know John Harbaugh a bit in the last few years, having seen him on the sidelines for Michigan games, even.
"John Harbaugh came in and spoke to us once or twice," Wormley said. "He was at our Maryland game a couple years ago, so I kind of have a feel of how he is as a coach. I have spoken to Willie Henry, who is there and was our defensive lineman two years ago.
"I’m just expecting, as Michigan’s head coach [Jim] Harbaugh, how he carries himself ... hopefully the mind-set is the same, because coach Jim Harbaugh, it's definitely a pleasure to coached by him and led by him."
---
• Talk about this article inside The Fort
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @BSB_Wolverine, @JB_ Wolverine and @Balas_Wolverine
• Like us on Facebook
