I recently talked to Jason Worilds and he told me he didn’t send in paperwork to the NFL’s draft advisory committee. I then wrote a story about how he had unfinished business and had every intention of returning to Blacksburg for his senior season.

“I’m really not interested in (the NFL) right now,” Worilds told me two weeks ago.

Well, according to Frank Beamer’s Web site, Worilds has sent in his paperwork for a draft evaluation. Worilds is a pretty straight shooter, so I’m guessing he just had a change of heart.

That means Thursday’s Chick-fil-A Bowl could be his last game as a Hokie. Beamer said today during his press conference that he’s been impressed with the play of the team’s young defensive ends during this bowl practice season. They might need them sooner than expected.

If Worilds leaves, that could thrust Brookville’s Zack McCray into a more immediate role with the team next season. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. McCray still hasn’t even signed a letter of intent yet.

SHAQ WAS IN THE HOUSE: I just read an online account of Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s meeting with Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq and his team were staying here at the media and team hotel, and the big man invited Taylor and some of his Tech teammates into his suite. Pretty cool, huh?

I was lucky enough to score a couple tickets to the Cavs-Hawks game Tuesday night. It cost me a pretty penny, I might add. A friend and I sat in the very last row and witnessed Lebron James’ worst shooting night of the season. It was still fun.

The basketball wasn’t great. We were more impressed by all the stars in attendance, none of whom we got remotely close to. The Hawks showed them on the jumbotron, though. It was a Who’s Who of musical talent, from Usher to Chris Brown (who was booed by the fans), Akon and Young Jeezy. Actor Chris Tucker and former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis were there, too. 

Oh, and you couldn’t miss sideline reporter Craig Sager, who was wearing a green blazer and lime green shoes. It was hard not to notice, even from the cheap seats.

NOW BACK TO THE HOKIES: We reporters sat through one last press conference today and then chowed down on some Chick-fil-A (I’m up to three sandwiches and about 100 nuggets for the week).

Coach Beamer and UT skipper Lane Kiffin spoke today. Here are the highlights …

***Beamer said Cris Hill and Jayron Hosley will share playing time at cornerback Thursday. The two have been in a competition for the starting spot vacated by senior Stephan Virgil when he was declared academically ineligible for the bowl game. I asked Beamer if he had decided on a starter, and he said the only thing they’d decided on was that both players will see action.

***Tennessee still hasn’t made a decision on who will kick field goals and extra points Thursday. The Vols kicking game has been poor this season, especially from 40 yards and beyond, where they have connected on only one of eight attempts.

Special teams could play a major factor in the game. Tech has been strong, as usual, in the kicking and return game, whereas UT has been abysmal. The Hokies have a reliable kicker (Matt Waldron), a strong punter (Brent Bowden) and they’ve returned a punt, kickoff and blocked punt for touchdowns this season. Moreover, they haven’t allowed any touchdown returns so far.

Conversely, the Vols have been shaky at placekicker, they rank 83rd nationally in net punting, they have allowed two long kickoff returns for touchdowns (100 and 95 yards) and they’ve had six kicks blocked (four field goals, including two in the fourth quarter in a 12-10 loss to top-ranked Alabama).

Kiffin was still able to joke today about his team’s kicking situation.

“I don’t like it. I liked it a lot better the last place I was at where it was (Sebastian) Janikowski, and he just kicked a (61-yarder against Cleveland),” said Kiffin, who spent parts of two seasons as Janikowski’s coach with the Oakland Raiders.

When asked about his kickoff coverage unit, Kiffin said: “I’m very confident when we go against our service team. We look good at it.”

That comment got a small chuckle out of Beamer.

***In addition to Tech’s young defensive ends – he mentioned Duan Perez-Means specifically – Beamer also talked about how impressed he was with freshman tailback David Wilson, who has had some highs and lows this season.

“The guy that I think has a great future is David Wilson. He’s a fast, fast guy. Right now, he runs fast, but he runs into things. Pretty soon, he’s going to run around them. I think he’s got a great future,” Beamer said.

***Beamer said his team has had no curfew or discipline issues this week.