More than 20 pro football teams – 18 NFL and three Canadian Football League – sent scouts to Saginaw Tuesday, making sure nobody falls through the cracks.
Ryan Brady was happy to help fill those cracks.
Saginaw Valley State University held an NFL Pro Day Wednesday, with the SVSU coach pushing the potential of small-college football players who need an opportunity.
Of the 21 athletes going through the Pro Day drills and tests – the same ones the NFL uses at the NFL Combine – seven were from SVSU and six from Ferris State, where Brady previously served as an assistant coach. Other players were from Wayne State, Michigan Tech, Davenport, Olivet College, Northern Michigan and Siena Heights.
The SVSU camp was scheduled in conjunction with the NFL Pro Day Tuesday morning at Central Michigan University.
Brady was enthused with the data from some of his players, including defensive back Marvin Wright, linebacker Victor Abraham and receiver Chad Galliard.
Other SVSU players included Kyle Junior, Tim Kidd-Glass, Chris Nelson and Tommy Scott. Ferris State players included Liam Daly, John Higgins, Jacob Lampman, Tyler Minor, Austin Simpson and Cyntell Williams. Other players included Landin Mitchell (Wayne State), Nate Lajoi (Michigan Tech), Kendall Sawyer (Davenport), Tamar Heart-Wilkins (Olivet), Brady Hanson (Northern Michigan), Trenton Morrow (Siena Heights), Myles Goulbourne (Davenport) and Payton Muljo (Northern Michigan).
Ryan Brady was happy to help fill those cracks.
Saginaw Valley State University held an NFL Pro Day Wednesday, with the SVSU coach pushing the potential of small-college football players who need an opportunity.
“We’re giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something that they’ll be able to talk about,” Brady said. “There are a lot of (NCAA) Division II players in the NFL, players from the GLIAC (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). There is talent in this league, and they don’t always get the opportunities.
“We want to make this an annual event.”
Of the 21 athletes going through the Pro Day drills and tests – the same ones the NFL uses at the NFL Combine – seven were from SVSU and six from Ferris State, where Brady previously served as an assistant coach. Other players were from Wayne State, Michigan Tech, Davenport, Olivet College, Northern Michigan and Siena Heights.
The SVSU camp was scheduled in conjunction with the NFL Pro Day Tuesday morning at Central Michigan University.
“CMU has been outstanding in allowing other athletes to participate in their Pro Day,” Brady said. “Some schools have a closed Pro Day, where nobody but their own athletes can participate. CMU has been great, but they can’t include everybody. We had two players from SVSU compete there.
“But there are so many more athletes who are looking for an opportunity who don’t always get it. NFL scouts can look at film, but teams go off data. This gives them data on a lot of players they may otherwise not get.”
Brady was enthused with the data from some of his players, including defensive back Marvin Wright, linebacker Victor Abraham and receiver Chad Galliard.
Other SVSU players included Kyle Junior, Tim Kidd-Glass, Chris Nelson and Tommy Scott. Ferris State players included Liam Daly, John Higgins, Jacob Lampman, Tyler Minor, Austin Simpson and Cyntell Williams. Other players included Landin Mitchell (Wayne State), Nate Lajoi (Michigan Tech), Kendall Sawyer (Davenport), Tamar Heart-Wilkins (Olivet), Brady Hanson (Northern Michigan), Trenton Morrow (Siena Heights), Myles Goulbourne (Davenport) and Payton Muljo (Northern Michigan).
“Maybe the players here won’t get drafted, but because of this they might get signed as undrafted free agents or priority free agents,” Brady said. “Some might get a look from the CFL.
“There is definitely a need for this. There are some great athletes. I want to make sure the athletes in the GLIAC, not just Saginaw Valley, get the opportunity. Maybe they won’t play in the NFL, but they will at least have gotten the opportunity.”