The Wilton community is still buzzing days after one of its own heard his name called in the 2026 NFL draft.

Offensive lineman Matt Gulbin was selected in the sixth round by the Washington Commanders.

"Me, my mom, and dad were in a separate room going over draft scenarios, and that's when I got the call," Gulbin says. "They've been a really big part of my journey, so it was cool to share it with them."

The 6 feet, 4 inch, 300-pound center played football at Wilton High School for all four years before a stellar college career that included stops at Wake Forest and Michigan State.

Gulbin's high school coach, E.J. Dinunzio, says the Chicago Bears and Commanders were two NFL teams that reached out to ask about Gulbin's work ethic during the pre-draft process.

"They asked me, 'Hey, what was he like as a high school kid?' He's one kid where I don't have to fib at all," DiNunzio says. "The kid is great."

DiNunzio says Gulbin avoided the temptation of joining a prep school and instead opted to finish his high school career at Wilton.

"I think it's a great example of playing with your friends, doing your job, working hard, getting discovered, and now playing in the NFL," DiNunzio says.

Gulbin says he grew up idolizing other Connecticut players who made it to the NFL like New Canaan's Zach Allen and Lucas Niang, and Norwalk's D.J. Morrell.

Gulbin says former NFL veteran and Greenwich native John Sullivan has been one of his mentors.

"I've watched film with him and picked his brain on stuff," Gulbin says. "He's been really big for me."

Rookie mini-camp starts on May 7.