19 days until kickoff: Ernest Wilford goes from Jaguars player to Jacksonville police officer

With just 19 days until kickoff, let’s talk about Ernest Wilford — formerly No. 19 on the Jacksonville Jaguars and now a police officer in the community.

From Jaguars player to Jacksonville cop

Wilford played college football at Virginia Tech and graduated as the school’s career leader in receptions. He held the team records for most passes caught in a season, most receiving yards in a game, and most touchdown receptions in a game.

It earned him a projected spot in the middle rounds and the Jaguars drafted him in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. After going to the Miami Dolphins and then back to the Jaguars, he retired with 2,145 yards and 15 touchdowns to his name.

Nowadays he’s a police officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, something he said he’s always wanted to do since high school.

Read more about Wilford’s transition from the NFL to the JSO here.