When cornerback Kindle Vildor graduated from Georgia Southern in December, he knew that a chapter of his life was coming to a close and another was just beginning.

Vildor graduated as one of the most decorated defensive players in school history. He was named to first team All-Sun Belt for two years, 2019 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year added 27 total tackles and six pass breakups last season, on top of grabbing two interceptions in 2019.  

His junior season was arguably his most impressive in the stat book and at the end of the season, he started getting attention from many scouts. He tallied 42 tackles, four interceptions and defended 15 passes.

With a sports management degree in his back pocket, he has ventured out into the world of professional football with help from Atlanta-based agent Kevin Conner. 

His name has drifted its way on to many pre-draft “who to watch” lists and he has been labeled as a sleeper in the draft by a few analysts compared to prospects from larger schools.

After the Cure Bowl a few days before Christmas, Vildor took about two weeks off before preparing for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. 

His training took place in McKinney, TX at Michael Johnson Performance, where he focused on sharpening his skills for the NFL Combine and pre-draft activities.

In November, Vildor accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The all-star game is an opportunity for players who have exhausted their college eligibility to showcase their talents in front of NFL coaches and scouts.

{{tncms-inline account=”Kindle Vildor” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am humbled to announce that I am accepting my invitation to play in the 2020 <a href="https://twitter.com/seniorbowl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seniorbowl</a> game. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JimNagy_SB</a> for this special opportunity and it truly is a blessing. To my coaches, thank you for molding me into not just the player but person I am today. Thank you God🙏🏽 <a href="https://t.co/FzOaC2bujQ">pic.twitter.com/FzOaC2bujQ</a></p>— Kindle Vildor (@ThePremier20) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThePremier20/status/1192235815314886656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2019</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/ThePremier20/status/1192235815314886656″ type=”twitter”}}

{{tncms-inline account=”Rhett Lewis” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wonder if Georgia Southern DB Kindle Vildor knows there is a Hall of Fame CB warming up right behind him.👋, Aeneas Williams! <a href="https://t.co/QIHlasrths">pic.twitter.com/QIHlasrths</a></p>— Rhett Lewis (@RhettNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/RhettNFL/status/1220455944427134980?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2020</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/RhettNFL/status/1220455944427134980″ type=”twitter”}}

Players from around the country receive invitations to play, and the roster is divided into North and South. Each team is coached by an NFL coach. 

“It’s been really fun just going out and being able to compete against the top players in the country and matching up against them,” Vildor said.

Vildor will be playing for the South, coached by Zac Taylor, coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He has made waves on social media for his performance in practices and caught the eyes of several media outlets.

{{tncms-inline account=”Jim Nagy” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/seniorbowl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seniorbowl</a> is looking live at <a href="https://twitter.com/GSAthletics_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GSAthletics_FB</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/WeAreSouth_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WeAreSouth_FB</a>. Ga. Southern CB Kindle Vildor (<a href="https://twitter.com/ThePremier20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThePremier20</a>) will likely be the first player from the Sun Belt drafted this year. Fluid man-cover corner with good feel and ball skills. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheDraftStartsInMOBILE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE</a> <a href="https://t.co/HzvA34El8B">pic.twitter.com/HzvA34El8B</a></p>— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1179897263386218496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2019</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1179897263386218496″ type=”twitter”}}

Though his final collegiate season ended in a loss, Vildor is thankful for the things that he learned as an Eagle.

“This season has set me up for the future in many ways,” Vildor said. “Just all the obstacles we faced as a team really helped me on how to handle adversity.”

Head Coach Chad Lunsford has been there every step of the way with Vildor and is spending the week in Alabama with him. 

“He came out to the very first practice of the week, so that was very special of him,” Vildor said. “He always has been checking on me throughout the week and asking how have I been doing and do I need anything.”

Eagle fans can watch Vildor play on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on NFL Network.

Amanda Arnold, The George-Anne Managing Sports Editor, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu