Coastal Carolina’s Hamilton, Backus hoping to see dreams fulfilled during NFL Draft

Chad Hamilton said he’s had to pinch himself at times in recent weeks just to make sure this is all real.

A starter for three-plus seasons on the offensive line for Coastal Carolina, Hamilton is expecting to become the next Chanticleer standout selected in the NFL Draft, which runs from Thursday through Saturday.

“It still doesn’t seem like the whole situation is real because you only dream about it and you know only a small percentage actually go to the NFL or actually get drafted,” Hamilton said Wednesday.

He and star linebacker Quinn Backus are both hoping that dream becomes a reality during the seven-round draft – which starts Thursday with the first round, followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday and the final four rounds Saturday – while cornerback Denzel Rice is another Chant who has a chance to get a look from an NFL team.

Hamilton said he’s received very encouraging feedback from his agent and that, combined with his own meetings with NFL teams – including a trip to Chicago last week to visit with the Bears’ coaches and general manager – has him very optimistic.

The top offensive lineman on three of the best teams in Coastal Carolina’s program history, the 6-foot-2, 292-pound Hamilton is expected to move from left tackle to an interior line position at the next level, but one way or the other he expects to get a chance to prove himself in the NFL.

In addition to that visit to the Bears’ facility, where he met with head coach John Fox, general manager Ryan Pace and offensive line coach Dave Magazu, he also had private workouts on campus in Conway with the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles, he said.

“My agent has been telling me that I should be drafted somewhere in between the fourth through the seventh round. The fifth round is looking pretty good,” Hamilton said. “… This whole process, it’s been a long process, but the end is near and I can’t wait because this is like a lifelong dream that is basically coming true in a matter of days. And even if I don’t get drafted, which I hope to do, I will be on somebody’s roster. I know that for a fact.”

Backus, meanwhile, finished his collegiate career as one of the best players – if not the best – in Coastal Carolina history.

He was the first player to ever be named Big South Defensive Player of the Year three times and ranks second in conference history and first in program history with 414 career tackles (14th-most all-time at the NCAA FCS level). He was a two-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award – given to the top defensive player at the FCS level – and also finished his collegiate career with 30 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, 9.5 sacks and eight interceptions.

But considered undersized as a linebacker at 5-foot-10, 215 pounds and trying to transition to safety during the pre-draft process, Backus knows he is considered a fringe prospect at the next level and will likely have to prove himself on special teams if he gets a chance with an NFL team.

He does believe he’ll get that chance, though.

“I know for sure I’ll know everything by Saturday, whether it’s sixth round, seventh round or undrafted,” he said Wednesday. “I think most likely [I] will be an undrafted free agent. I’m fine with that as long as I get an opportunity to continue my football career.”

Backus said his agent told him he’s been in contact with the St. Louis Rams, the Houston Texans and the New York Giants.

Unlike Hamilton, Backus wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but he did play in the 2015 Medal of Honor Bowl in Charleston, where he was named the most valuable player for his team after notching an 87-yard interception return for touchdown and six tackles.

The Chants’ defensive leader the last three seasons, Backus’ value was as much about his instincts as his statistics as he seemed to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time to make pivotal plays.

Measurables aside, he is hoping he at least gets a chance to show that part of his abilities in an NFL camp.

“I think my confidence is pretty high,” he said. “If you look at the resume I had, the career I had here and also playing in the bowl game and doing everything I can control … [I’m] just leaving it all up to God’s hands to show me the way. From there, I can only continue to hope it works out for the best.”

Rice, a two-year starter at cornerback for the Chants, is the other name that is out there from Coastal Carolina as a potential pickup for an NFL team.

Like Backus said, they’ll all know their fate by the end of this week.

“This week I’ve been pretty anxious and trying not to count down. It’s something natural, I guess. I’m just looking forward to it,” said Backus, who will have his family in town with him.

Said Hamilton, who will be watching the draft from back home in James Island: “I will be excited, but I’ll be nervous like crazy because the whole situation with the NFL, it’s a dream. Actually seeing someone call your name and saying you’ve been drafted or a team calling you and saying they want you, I just hope I can experience that feeling. I’m nervous, I’m excited, a whole lot of emotions running through my body. But all in all, it’s a great situation to be in.”

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 8:42 PM with the headline "Coastal Carolina’s Hamilton, Backus hoping to see dreams fulfilled during NFL Draft."