NFL pays tribute to three University of Virginia players killed in shooting before 2023 Draft

The NFL paid tribute to the three University of Virginia football players who were killed in a November 13 shooting by making them honorary picks in the 2023 draft. 

Prior to the first selection in the NFL Draft, which saw Bryce Young taken as the No. 1 pick, commissioner Roger Goodell ceremoniously drafted Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry. 

The three former University of Virginia football players were shot late in the night on November 13 as they returned to campus after traveling to Washington D.C., where they saw a play and had dinner together. 

Goodell presented Davis’ family with a Ravens jersey, Perry’s with a Dolphins jersey and Chandler with a Jaguars jersey, posing for photos with each.

‘With the first picks in the 2023 NFL draft, we welcome to the NFL family, D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis and Devin Chandler of the University of Virginia,’ Goodell announced before presenting family members of each victim with a No. 23 jersey.

Fom left, Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry. The three Virginia football players were killed in a shooting in Charlottesville, while returning from a class trip

The NFL honored the players by making them honorary picks in the 2023 draft

The trio were on a bus returning from a class trip when Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a member of the Virginia Cavaliers football team in 2018, opened fire upon the group’s arrival back to campus. 

Jones Jr., a former UVA football player, has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder alongside other charges. 

Two other students running back Mike Hollins and Marlee Morgan were also shot in the incident, but survived their injuries. 

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder

The violence erupted near a parking garage just after 10:15pm on November 13 as a bus full of students returned to Charlottesville

Hollis returned to training last month as he was seen in spring practice as a full participant after being discharged from the hospital in November following time on a ventilator.

Spring practice is the first time the Cavaliers will be taking part in football activities since the shooting – after the school canceled their final two games of the season and failed to make a bowl game.

Head coach Tony Elliott praised Hollins for his dedication to the team and his resilience in the face of tragedy.

‘Just to watch how he’s attacked everything, could easily have made excuses, easily have overthought things and but he’s taking it upon himself to respond and show perseverance and be resilient,’ Elliott said.