Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

UTSA hosts NFL Pro-Day

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On Monday, March 23, UTSA Athletics hosted the annual UTSA Pro-Day. The event featured 25 former Roadrunners working out for NFL scouts in a variety of drills designed to test agility, speed and strength. Seventeen different NFL teams were represented, including the defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots.

One of the 25 athletes was former UTSA standout and perennial all-conference selectee Triston Wade. Wade, who is UTSA’s current all-time leader in tackles (288), interceptions (12), forced fumbles (8), pass breakups (34) and fumble recoveries, performed well in nearly every drill.

“I think I did pretty good today. I feel like I ran good; I’m just glad the process is over with,” said Wade.

The general consensus amongst the scouts in attendance was that if any Roadrunner were to be selected in the draft, Wade had the best shot of being picked up with a late-round pick. If Wade or any other Roadrunner were to be selected in this year’s draft, they would be the first ever draft pick to come from UTSA.

“It would be a crazy feeling. It would be a blessed feeling honestly,” said Wade after being asked what it would mean to him to be the first UTSA player selected in the draft. “Anybody can make it if you’ve got the skills,” he continued.

Outside of being drafted, the possibility of a team contacting Wade or any other Pro-Day attendee and inviting them to perform at a camp or sign on to a practice squad exists.

“I think I can bring a lot of energy (to a potential NFL team). I’m a for sure tackler. I’m a football player,” said Wade.

Also in attendance at the event was Edna, Texas native and UTSA’s all-time leading receiver (96 receptions for 1,246 yards) Kam Jones.

“I think I did pretty good. I’ve put in a lot of hard work over the last two months so I think I came out here and did the best I can do,” said Jones of his performance on the day.

Despite being a former all-conference selectee, Jones approached his next level dreams with realism.

“It would mean the world to me (to be drafted), but I’m just trying to get an invite to (an NFL) camp, I’m not really worried about the draft,” Jones asserted.

Defensive end Robert Singletary turned in an impressive perfomance for the day as he showed agililty moving his 6’2”, 250 pound frame across the field.

“It was an experience. It definitely was an experience, but it was a good one,” said Singletary reflecting on his day at the exhibition. “It’s always good to come out here and be with your teammates,” he finished.

Singletary tranfered to UTSA after his freshman year at Baylor University. As a junior for club, he was an impact player and garnered All-Conference USA honors after collecting 30 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and four QB hurries.

“I just needed to come out here and have a good day, and I felt like I did that,” Singletary said.

The draft hopefuls will have to wait until late April to figure out if their efforts will result in a draft selection as the 2015 NFL Draft is set to run from Thursday, April 30 to Saturday, May 2.

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