Grant Wiley transforms from player to actor

In the Big East days, Grant Wiley was one of the most feared linebackers for the WVU football team.

He made a name for himself in the early 2000s when the Mountaineers also had to battle former powerhouses like Virginia Tech and Miami. The WVU football program was still building for its ultimate rise under former head coach Rich Rodriguez. Helping the team the most was its defense under defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel.

As he was implementing his 3-3-5 defense, Grant Wiley emerged as the man-in-the-middle. His fearsome play helped the Mountaineers to bowl games in the early part of the last decade.

But ever since his playing days were over, Wiley didn’t go the traditional route as some former football players. Most of the time, you hear guys go into coaching, administrative positions or even sales, but Wiley went in a more untraditional role.

Now, Wiley is an actor.

According to a recent post by WVUsports.com, Wiley has appeared in movies such as “Sex and the City” and “Trainwreck.”

He also also appeared on various soap operas and the following Youtube clip shows Wiley in an episode of “Inside Amy Schumer.”

He is almost unrecognizable from his playing days, which occurred nearly two decades ago. He has slimmed down, shaved his facial hair and appears to now be sporting a man bun.

Movie buffs and film critics may be aware of Wiley from his various big screen moments, but to Mountaineer fans, no play by Wiley is bigger than this moment in 2002.

This big stop helped ensure that the Mountaineers would upset then-No. 12 Virginia Tech. That former rivalry was one of the best in college sports and, thanks to Wiley and defensive back Brian King, allowed the Mountaineers to get the upper hand over the Hokies.

Wiley is back in the news now because of his recent selection to the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. The 2016 class, as announced by athletic director Shane Lyons, also includes Donnie Young of the football program, Charity Wachera of women’s track and field and cross country, Don Vincent of men’s basketball, Damian Owens of men’s basketball, David Johnson of rifle and Joby Foley of men’s tennis.

This is the 26th class of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. The formal induction ceremony will occur on Sept. 10, prior to the Mountaineers’ game against Youngstown State at Milan Puskar Stadium.

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