A football player from Union County is headed to the NFL.

Offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 103rd overall pick in the fourth round. Saldiveri, a Waxhaw native, played for Parkwood High School and played college football at Old Dominion University.

“There were definitely nerves,” Saldiveri told Channel 9′s DaShawn Brown. “I didn’t know when I was going to get picked.”

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From his early days at Parkwood High, Saldiveri set his sights on history. He’s the first player from the school to be drafted.

“Just first impressions, he walks through the door and you’re like, ‘Wow, where’d this kid come from?’” said former Parkwood High head football coach Lynn Coble.

Coble was coaching when Saldiveri played at Parkwood.

“Oh my goodness. Nick called me and he says, ‘Coach I just wanted you to know, it looks like I’m going to be drafted’ and he was really excited,” Coble said. “He said ‘I just wanted to tell you thank you for being a leader and for the time that I spent there. I wanted you to know that you meant a lot to me.’”

Saldiveri committed to Old Dominion during his junior year of high school. He earned all-conference during his time at ODU and was chosen for college football’s all-star game, the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

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“People were trying to get me to go and leave for other schools for more opportunity. I saw that I had all the opportunity right in front of me,” Saldiveri said.

That opportunity led to day three of the NFL Draft: Saldiveri was the first pick from round four.

“It’s just exciting,” Coble said. “It’s completely manufactured by his work ethic and the type of person he is.”

“I don’t want to be the last. I want people to come to Parkwood,” Saldiveri said. “I want people to find the good talent that’s there.”

Saldiveri was in great company among draftees from the Charlotte area. Former Hickory Ridge player Garrett Williams was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, Mallard Creek’s Trenton Simpson was chosen by the Ravens, UNC Charlotte wide receiver Grant DuBose was picked by the Green Bay Packers, and Hickory Ridge High School grad Jalen Brooks was selected by the Dallas Cowboys.

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