NATHAN GILLIAM (’15) – Cincinnati Bengals
NFL- Nate was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and signed to the Chargers’ practice squad for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Nate has played both guard and center on the offensive line in the NFL. In January 2022, Nate was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 17 as they clinched a spot in the AFC playoffs. During the 2022 offseason, Nate signed with the Cincinnati Bengals to their practice squad prior to the 2022 season. In January 2024, Nate signed a futures contract to stay with Cincinnati.
College- Nate appeared in more than 35 games for the Wake Forest offensive line in his final three seasons in Winston-Salem. Gilliam started every game in 2018, most frequently at the right tackle position. He led the team in total snaps played during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He earned recognition on the Third-team All-ACC as an offensive guard in 2018. In his senior year of 2019, he made 12 starts on the season and was on the field for 828 snaps.
High School- Nate is a 2015 graduate of FHS where he was a three-year starter at offensive tackle for the Admirals. As a senior in 2014, he was a first-team All-State selection for Class 6A by the TSWA. He was also named Offensive Linemen of the Year for District 4-AAA and selected to play in the 2014 Toyota East vs. West All-Star game as a senior.
COLE STRANGE (’16) – New England Patriots
NFL- After making lasting impressions at the 2022 NFL Draft Combine, he became the 1st Admiral to be selected in the 1st Round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Cole was drafted 29th overall by the New England Patriots. “He’s long, he’s athletic. He’s physically tough. He’s an aggressive player,” Coach Bill Belichick said. “I think he has a good combination of skills, run and pass, movement, length, strength, again, all of which will hopefully get better, like they will with any player coming from college to the National Football League. But I think he has a good skill set, and he’s a smart player that makes a lot of good decisions on the interior line there, timing, when to come off, and combo blocks, things like that.” Strange is projected to be a game-one starter on the offensive line for the Patriots, a tough feat for any rookie in the NFL.
College- Cole was a five-year starter for UTC. Cole finished his Moc career as one of the most decorated players in program history. He was recently invited to participate in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl and to the 2022 NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, IN. During his time at Chattanooga, Strange was named a 2021 All-American by five different publications. Strange was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2021 for Top Linemen in the Southern Conference. Strange has also been named All-SoCon three times (2019-21) and Academic All-SoCon five times (2017-21). Cole has made the Dean’s List and the A.D. Honor Roll in all four years accumulating a 4.0 GPA. In 2019, Strange earned the SoCon Commissioner’s Medal for a second time in addition to being named to the SoCon Honor Roll for the fourth time. Cole has played in 49 games with 44 starts for his career with the Mocs. He was recognized as an FCS Freshmen All-American in 2017 by Phil Steele. Cole graduated with a degree in Psychology.
High School- Cole was a two-time All-District performer on defense for the Admirals. In 2015, Cole was named All-State, All-PrepXtra, and Defensive Lineman of the Year for Region 3-5A. Cole ranked 3rd on the team with 104 total stops, with 18 tackles for loss. Cole ranks in the top 12 all-time in program history with 226 tackles for his career. For his accomplishments, Strange competed among the state’s best prospects in the Toyota East/West Game in January. Cole is a 2016 graduate of Farragut where he was an honor roll student.