As a four-year starter for the high-profile Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Varrichione was a highly sought-after player in the 1955 NFL Draft. He was selected in the 1st Round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the league's 6th pick overall, and the first offensive lineman chosen. Informed of his selection by a Pittsburgh newspaper writer via telephone, Varrichione predicted no difficulty in coming to financial terms with the Steelers and indicated a desire to play professional football for "as long as I can last." Varrichione's prediction proved accurate and by the first days of February he was under contract with the Steelers to play the 1955 season. Varrichione's first pro deal paid him $8,000 for the year — a substantial sum for an offensive lineman in that day.