SPRINGFIELD -- A select handful of former Missouri State University football players will have the opportunity to impress National Football League scouts and team personnel on Wednesday, March 19, when they participate in a series of speed, agility and strength tests at MSU's annual "Pro Day" at Plaster Field.
The NFL Pro Day series puts NFL staffs on the road throughout the month of March to scout talent up close and personal on college campuses. The evaluative events give NFL Combine participants an opportunity to improve their times and marks, while providing a venue for under-the-radar players to demonstrate their skills and make a name for themselves prior to the May 8-10 Draft and subsequent free agent signings.
The Bears hope standout defensive linemen Anthony Grady, Martin Montgomery, C.J. Randall and Tevan Ferguson, as well as defensive backs Sybhrian Berry and Howard Scarborough, can make favorable impressions on the NFL scouts in attendance.
MSU assistant coach Sean Coughlin, who coordinates the Springfield event each year, noted that a handful of additional players from surrounding universities are also expected to test their efforts against the pro stop watches and measuring tapes. After private testing and weight-room skill portions of the evaluations, the Pro Day festivities will move outdoors to Plaster Field at approximately 10:30 a.m., for various on-field metrics.
The Bears held their inaugural Pro Day in 2010 when All-America tight end Clay Harbor improved on his NFL Combine time in the 40-yard dash and parlayed his on-campus performance into a fourth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2011, offensive lineman David Arkin upped his stock at Pro Day and jumped to a fourth-round selection by the Dallas Cowboys on draft day. Five other former Bears -- Kolby Hurt (Saints), Jake Duron (Jets), Jermaine Saffold (Browns), Chris Douglas (Bills) and Randy Richards (Chargers) -- all turned enough heads at Plaster Field over the last three years to garner NFL free agent contracts with their respective clubs.
The outdoor portion of the Pro Day testing at Plaster Field is open to the public.
Missouri State is scheduled to begin spring drills on March 31.
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