WILLIAMSBURG — Nine players from the William & Mary football program worked out in front of NFL and CFL scouts last week during the university’s annual Pro Day at Zable Stadium.
A total of 36 coaches and scouts from 29 different NFL teams, and one CFL team, were on hand at Zable Stadium — a record turnout for the football program.
With the first step toward their NFL dreams on the line, working out were offensive lineman Charles Grant, defensive back Marcus Barnes, running back Bronson Yoder, athlete Hollis Mathis, linebacker Quinn Osborne, linebacker/defensive back hybrid Alex Washington, defensive back Jaedon Joyner, long snapper/outside linebacker Jonathan Hammond and wide receiver Matthew Akuchie.
The day started off with official measurements, followed by a round of the bench press. Cameras were clicking away as each athlete worked at putting their best foot forward for the scouts.
Tribe Head Coach Mike London was also on hand for the day of activities, noting that the record-setting turnout was a mark of how much the program has turned around in recent years.
“I’m so appreciative of parents that want to send their sons here and experience the culture here. The opportunity for that three-letter network or that three letter, NFL or CFL, whatever it might be is critically important for us. When players see this, guys graduating and going on to the next level, scouts coming out, it’s a big deal for us and we’re so appreciative,” London said.
After measurements and weights, players moved outside to the field to participate in running, passing, and jumping drills. Grant, who had drawn a major crowd of scouts due to his success on the field in recent years, was amazed at the turnout.
“It’s a little nerve-racking, but once you get past the nerves, it’s honestly such a surreal moment. Being able to perform and to potentially extend my time playing football, it’s surreal,” Grant said after his workout.
Teams also had the opportunity to meet privately with players that piqued their interest.
Yoder, who has had to deal with his fair share of adversity with injuries, was pleased with his performance during the event.
“This day is a combination of 15 years of work just grinding out football. As a young kid, you have aspirations for this, you know for this kind of day. When you have aspirations to get to the NFL, and so you work your butt off. When you are younger, you are just working your butt off to make the high school team, and then you are trying to make a college team, but then you get to college and you realize that maybe you have a a shot at this world of the NFL. When this day finally comes and you’re doing it with some of your teammates and guys that you love, it’s just awesome,” Yoder said.
For an athlete like Hollis Mathis, who can serve a team in multiple roles on the field, Pro Day was a chance to show the top teams his various skill sets and how they can be applied.
“I’m hearing a lot about receiver but you know, I’m one of those Swiss Army knives, whatever any team needs me to do, run the read option, throw the ball some, just drop back, reverse passes, catch punts, whatever a team can need from me, I’m ready to do whatever it is,” Mathis said.
With Pro Day in the books, the nine Tribe players looking toward an NFL future will now wait for the NFL Draft. The draft is scheduled to begin on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.