Pro Day Bridges Gap Between Dreams and Reality

Every corner of the country has a football player who grew up trying to be like his hero. He tried to emulate everything, from wearing equipment to the actual way the game is played. He stayed that way, all from Pop Warner up through high school and potentially into college. Though he dreamed of playing in the NFL, it was exactly that: a dream.

The difference between dream and reality can sometimes be hard to fathom. On Wednesday, nine now-former Boston College Eagles stepped onto Alumni Stadium's turf for one last turn, trying to bridge that exact divide before football scouts and experts as part of Pro Day.

It was a full day designed to showcase the Eagles ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. As expected, many turned out to see defensive end Harold Landry. After grading out as one of the best prospects in Indianapolis, the scouts and media in attendance were treated to a workout where the graduated lineman showcased his stuff as both a down lineman and a roving linebacker.

"I think the Combine was a whirlwind," Landry said. "You're up until (late night) with meetings after meetings. It's definitely been a crazy experience, but you have to love it. Football and family is life. I love meeting all of these teams.

"I felt like so much relief when the Combine was over," he said. "You can take a deep breath but then it's right back on the grind coming back (to BC). Right now it's all football. Just focus on that craft."

Though Landry drew the most attention, a glut of Eagles hoped to boost their respective draft stock as potential finds for pro football franchises. He is primarily joined by defensive backs Kamrin Moore and Isaac Yiadom, both of whom drew attention as part of the NFL Combine before running drills on Wednesday.

Pro Day in particular was important for Moore, who suffered a shoulder injury late in the 2017 season. Though invited to the Combine, he couldn't take part in physical activities, so scouts needed to use Wednesday as a chance to get their first look at how he bounced back.

"It's been a while (since I played) and there have been some questions and concerns about me," Moore said. "I couldn't work out at the Combine, but I'm good to go now. It was surreal at first, but this is what I've been doing my whole life so it's right back in the groove."

Surreal was an appropriate term for the day as athletes who watched and rooted for NFL teams are now in a position to become one of pro football's exclusive brotherhood. It's an interesting dynamic to watch as players adopt professional attitudes even as they let themselves have moments of fandom. As an example, New England Patriots assistant coaches helped with drills at Pro Day, meaning all players had to balance being starstruck with being ready.

"We watched film for two hours, and (Coach Brendan Daly) is an intense guy," Landry said of Daly. "You can see the New England Patriots within him, and it would be an awesome pleasure to go play for him in New England. Even with the amount of experience at BC, there's plenty of things I can improve on. No matter who you are, there's always a place to improve in your game."

"I got to meet with the corners coach with the Patriots," Yiadom said. "It wasn't tense or anything but oh my gosh, I'm right there and this is my team. Even at the Combine, I was walking right next to Coach Bill Belichick and it was like, 'Dang this is crazy.'"

It's an experience the players savored even as the NFL opportunity stood right in front of them. The day brought a wide variety of exposure to the Eagles, including defensive back Gabriel McClary and linebacker Ty Schwab. Thadd Smith, whose speed made him a household name in the ACC this season, flashed off his receiver skills with Charlie Callinan. Quarterback Patrick Towles, who graduated as a fifth year transfer in 2017, returned to The Heights with a new look as a tight end prospect.

Being on the field with college teammates provided an air of familiarity, but the day tinged with the realization that those players aren't teammates for much longer - or anymore. The transition is well underway as the Eagles hope to leave Chestnut Hill on Saturdays for stadiums that play on Sundays.

"There were moments where it hit me," Yiadom said. "It's crazy, but every time I walk around the locker room and see my old teammates, I realize that I'm not here (as a player) anymore. So it hit me, but at the same time, it's exciting (for the next phase)."

"It won't sink in until the Draft, and even then it might still feel like a dream," Moore agreed.

But that's the choice these athletes have made. They arrived four or five years ago with the intention of playing Division I football in the nation's best conference. Their collective success in rebuilding the Boston College program helped expose their names to a national audience. As the NFL descends on Arlington, Texas, for this year's selections, there is heightened anticipation - and expectation - that Boston College will once again find itself heard.

"I've definitely talked to a lot of teams," Landry said. "I think (Draft Day) should be a good day for me. I'm excited for it, and it should definitely be a good day for me."

The 2018 NFL Draft occurs across the weekend of April 26-28, 2018 at the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium. This year's draft is the first time all three days will air on live broadcast television, with simulcasts being shown on NFL Network, FOX, and the ESPN family of networks.

Pro Day Bridges Gap Between Dreams and Reality

Players Mentioned

Charlie Callinan

Harold Landry

Gabriel McClary

Kamrin Moore

Ty Schwab

Thadd Smith

Patrick Towles

Isaac Yiadom

Related Videos