TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar.18) – Pro Scouts from the NFL and CFL descended on the campus of FAMU, to poke, prod and examine players with exhausted eligibility today.  Among those scouting were two very influential people in the NFL.  Detroit Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Caldwell came in person to see who was available for the 2014 NFL Draft that will take place on May 8 at the Hansel Tookes Recreation Center and Fields.

FAMU had several players who finished their last year of eligibility this season and a few who finished previous years, giving it another shot to impress the scouts.

At the center of the scouts' attention were John Ojo, Brandon Denmark, Frances Mays and James Owens.  Along with the pre-workout favorites, Jonathan Pillow, Douglas Almandares, Devan Roberts, Kevin House, Michael Ducre, Michael Ethridge and Lonnie Lockett used the opportunity to make their bid for a chance to play at the next level.

While the scouts were able to conceal the results from the general public, some results were obvious.  Denmark and Ojo both had verticals over 38 inches.  Ojo, who had completely recovered from the shoulder injury that slowed him during last season, performed well all around.  Denmark, was one of the athletes scouts were most interested in seeing.   Commenting that at the end of last season he was unblockable, coach Holmes briefed the scouts on his resume as he completed his impressive showing.

James Owens, the speedy running back/kick returner from central Florida, showed his athleticism with a remarkable vertical jump and a speedy 40-yard dash.  Mays, also showed agility, adding an impressive vertical to his 6'9” frame.  He also ran a solid 40-yard dash time.

Padric Scott, Travis Harvey and Ellie Hyppolite also went through drills at Pro Day.  Scott, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent last season, is making another push to get in the league.  Trimmed down nearly 10 pounds, Scott's strength was never an issue, as scouts informed him that there really wasn't a reason for him to lift, as they knew very well of his strength.  His fleet feet in the 40-yard dash was impressive.

Harvey, who signed last season with the Tennessee Titans, went through the regimen again, as an injury last season hampered his performance at Pro Day.

Former Rattler football player, Kevin Elliott, was there to show support for some of his former teammates.  Elliott recalled his Pro Day his senior year and how it catapulted him into an opportunity to play professional football.