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http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20100402/SPORTS/4020321
LAMBUTH FOOTBALL: Seniors try for chance at pros
By MATT VINES
[email protected]
• April 2, 2010
Lambuth senior football players who completed their eligibility last fall skipped the suits in favor of muscle shirts and gym shorts as they tried to impress NFL scouts for a chance to extend their football careers.
Nine Lambuth seniors participated in the school's pro day Thursday, which included a full combine workout. Activities included the 40-yard dash, short shuttle, vertical and broad jumps as well as height and weight measurements.
Tennessee Titans scout Blake Beddingfield has scouted Lambuth for 12 years and said the Titans don't want to miss players in their own backyard.
"We watch the film, but then we want to see where these guys are after four months of being away from football," Beddingfield said. "Lambuth has had guys like Ron Dixon (four NFL seasons with the New York Giants), Allen Ervin (Philadephia Eagles) and Stefan Rogers (Philadelphia Eagles).
"Because of the high number of pro days, I upload the players' measurements and times in speed drills into a system so other teams can view (the data) without physically being here."
Beddingfield was the only scout at Lambuth, but several Eagles including receiver E.J. Adams and running back Ben Stallings will attend today's pro day at UT Martin where representatives from several NFL teams will be in attendance.
Both players missed games this past season because of injury and want to take advantage of every chance to be in front of NFL scouts.
Adams, a Kentucky transfer, missed three games this past season, but he said his Kentucky film gives him an edge.
"Coming from a big school helps because the competition is better, and I played three years there," Adams said. "I've been training on my own in Atlanta the past four months getting ready for days like this.
"I will be going to (UT Martin) for another (pro day today), so it's about turning heads no matter who is around."
Stallings (6-foot, 255 pounds) was already on NFL radar screens at NCAA Division II Delta State, but he missed the last half of this past season after he tore a ligament and dislocated a joint in his foot.
He said he missed only one game in his career before that injury, but he pushed himself to be ready for NFL scouts.
"I was in the weightroom three days after my surgery," Stallings said. "This is an injury that normally sidelines guys from six to eight months, and I'm trying to recover in four.
"It was tough watching my teammates bust their tail, but I cheered them on and worked hard to get my body ready for this."
Former receiver Brandon Okechukwu said the NFL is his dream, but he is equally as focused on starting in the Canadian Football League or an arena league.
"I made a lot of improvements in my senior season, and I believe my film will help me stand out from others," Okechukwu said. "Everyone here knows it's a one-in-a-million shot, but it's great just to have this opportunity."
Former safety Dominique Bowman said combine workouts are more important for players from smaller schools.
"We don't get seen a lot, so we have to separate ourselves whenever we have the opportunity," Bowman said.
Several players called former teammate Allen Ervin a close friend, and running back Victor Robinson said Ervin serves as an inspiration.
"Scouts have learned not to sleep on small-school guys," Robinson said. "I might have a small frame, but I have a really big heart. You can't underestimate that."
-Matt Vines, 425-9634
LAMBUTH FOOTBALL: Seniors try for chance at pros
By MATT VINES
[email protected]
• April 2, 2010
Lambuth senior football players who completed their eligibility last fall skipped the suits in favor of muscle shirts and gym shorts as they tried to impress NFL scouts for a chance to extend their football careers.
Nine Lambuth seniors participated in the school's pro day Thursday, which included a full combine workout. Activities included the 40-yard dash, short shuttle, vertical and broad jumps as well as height and weight measurements.
Tennessee Titans scout Blake Beddingfield has scouted Lambuth for 12 years and said the Titans don't want to miss players in their own backyard.
"We watch the film, but then we want to see where these guys are after four months of being away from football," Beddingfield said. "Lambuth has had guys like Ron Dixon (four NFL seasons with the New York Giants), Allen Ervin (Philadephia Eagles) and Stefan Rogers (Philadelphia Eagles).
"Because of the high number of pro days, I upload the players' measurements and times in speed drills into a system so other teams can view (the data) without physically being here."
Beddingfield was the only scout at Lambuth, but several Eagles including receiver E.J. Adams and running back Ben Stallings will attend today's pro day at UT Martin where representatives from several NFL teams will be in attendance.
Both players missed games this past season because of injury and want to take advantage of every chance to be in front of NFL scouts.
Adams, a Kentucky transfer, missed three games this past season, but he said his Kentucky film gives him an edge.
"Coming from a big school helps because the competition is better, and I played three years there," Adams said. "I've been training on my own in Atlanta the past four months getting ready for days like this.
"I will be going to (UT Martin) for another (pro day today), so it's about turning heads no matter who is around."
Stallings (6-foot, 255 pounds) was already on NFL radar screens at NCAA Division II Delta State, but he missed the last half of this past season after he tore a ligament and dislocated a joint in his foot.
He said he missed only one game in his career before that injury, but he pushed himself to be ready for NFL scouts.
"I was in the weightroom three days after my surgery," Stallings said. "This is an injury that normally sidelines guys from six to eight months, and I'm trying to recover in four.
"It was tough watching my teammates bust their tail, but I cheered them on and worked hard to get my body ready for this."
Former receiver Brandon Okechukwu said the NFL is his dream, but he is equally as focused on starting in the Canadian Football League or an arena league.
"I made a lot of improvements in my senior season, and I believe my film will help me stand out from others," Okechukwu said. "Everyone here knows it's a one-in-a-million shot, but it's great just to have this opportunity."
Former safety Dominique Bowman said combine workouts are more important for players from smaller schools.
"We don't get seen a lot, so we have to separate ourselves whenever we have the opportunity," Bowman said.
Several players called former teammate Allen Ervin a close friend, and running back Victor Robinson said Ervin serves as an inspiration.
"Scouts have learned not to sleep on small-school guys," Robinson said. "I might have a small frame, but I have a really big heart. You can't underestimate that."
-Matt Vines, 425-9634
DAL @ GB
