When Greg Toler stands among other NFL players, he looks like he fits right in. At 6-0 and just under 200 pounds, Toler has a build that was made for the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts DB has a story that was made for the big screen.
The Washington, D.C. native went from stocking stores after high school to playing at a tiny Division II HBCU that no longer exists to becoming a mainstay in the Indianapolis Colts defense.
Toler was a standout at Northwestern High (MD), but grades kept colleges away. He eventually took a job stocking in a warehouse before a coach of a local semi-pro team helped guide him to tiny St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, VA. The school was just reinstating football following a long inactive period.
Despite his school's small stature, Toler flourished at St. Paul's, picking off 16 passes during his career. He earned All-American honors, but like many small college standouts, was unable to garner an invite to the NFL's Combine. Undaunted, he went to Pro Day at the University of Richmond and ran a 4.37 40.
With his size and speed creating attention, Toler was selected in the fourth round by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2009 NFL Draft. Toler spent three years in Arizona, starting 15 games and picking off five passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
He signed with the Colts in 2013 and has started 16 of the 18 games he has played for Indianapolis. This season he's on pace to have his best season yet, with two interceptions and a touchdown through nine games.
Since Toler left Lawrenceville, St. Paul's has ended its football program and closed its doors. But as long as he's in the NFL, he's a living, breathing part of the school's legacy.
Another member ofthe HBCU Brotherhood.
