March 25
March 25, 2009
Vernal Oliver Sr.
March 27, 2009
When it comes to the NFL Draft, the pressure isn’t on the first round draft picks or players from a BCS school.
Instead it’s on the “little guys” who have small room for error in their quest to one day play professional football.
Nicholls just happens to be one of those “little guys.”
Since Division I FCS schools don’t get as much exposure as their FBS counterparts, the players from those schools must make the most of their opportunity to impress scouts when given a chance.
Thursday, a group of NFL scouts from the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks were on the Nicholls’ football practice field for the school’s Pro Day.
In all, seven Colonels seniors, including projected draft pick Lardarius Webb, displayed their talents to scouts through a barrage of training activities and drills.
Quarterback Chris Bunch, running back Isa Hines, wide receiver Pat Gordon, long snapper Cody Prejean and defensive backs Lance Moore and Andrew Eddie also participated in Pro Day.
The day started in the weight room where scouts tested players’ strength before moving to the practice field just outside of John L. Guidry Stadium for the 40-yard dash, shuttle run and position drills.
For nearly 90 minutes, Nicholls seniors felt the burn and learned just what it takes to be in the NFL.
Webb, who had already worked out at the NFL Combine, chose to participate in the shuttle run and do the defensive back position drills only.
The All-American said he only helped his stock by participating in Pro Day.
While the scouts had to be mum on the day’s event, Webb said he believes Pro Day benefits small schools like Nicholls State.
Since 2004, Nicholls has produced three NFL draft picks, an indication that professional teams have taken notice of the Thibodaux school.
“Scouts don’t see us on TV every day so this is our chance to shine,” Webb said. “They only get a limited time with us, so I’d say they grade us harder than they do some of the others because of that.”
Webb ran the third fastest time at the combine (4.46) and was the fastest among cornerbacks in the draft.
“I improved on my backpedaling, my footwork and I gained 13 pounds,” he said. “I wanted to show them I have what it takes to be a good NFL player. I think I did that.”
For the other six athletes, however, Pro Day was a chance to try and nab a scout’s eye for a possible free-agent contract.
Senior receiver Patrick Gordon said he’s worked three months just to prepare for the one day. The opportunity to show scouts that he is capable of playing football at the next level was something he couldn’t pass up, he said.
Overall, he said he was pleased by his performance.
“I’m out here to prove myself as both a football player and as a person to these scouts,” he said. “This is basically our one chance to show that we can compete at the next level. I tried not to think about it, but it’s all I could think about leading up to the day.”
“This definitely puts Nicholls on the map, especially with Webb running the 40 as well as he did at the combine,” Gordon said. “This program has come a long way in my four years here. The coaches have done a great job of getting the talent in here and it’s shown with the recent draft picks we’ve had.”
In his five seasons as head coach of the Colonels, Jay Thomas has put three players in the NFL Draft.
He said the school has become a solid breeding ground that is accustomed to the Pro Day routine.
“We have the routine down and we want to keep that going a little bit,” he said. “It’s been great and it’s great exposure for us and for the university. Webb is obviously bringing a lot of attention to us right now.”
“We’re on the right track and the program’s on the right track,” Thomas added. “Obviously we’re getting not only good football players but also real quality young men. When you look at every one of those guys like Webb who graduated last semester, we’re on the right track not only athletically but academically as well. They cover both parts of student athlete.”
Thomas just hopes the trend continues next season, when the team will have a couple of NFL caliber players.
“There is a term I like to use,” he said. “All of these guys are great ambassadors to the university and have represented themselves well.”
Nicholls State quarterback Chris Bunch is time by an NFL scout as heruns the 40-yard dash. Bunch was one of seven Colonel seniors to participate in the Pro Day activities. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER
