JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For some, it was a really big step towards a life long goal.
For others, it was the last time they would perform on a football field.
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For the 11 former D-1 football players showcasing their skills in front of scouts from the NFL and the Canadian Football League, they hope their performance Friday morning was not the last time they would play the game they love.
Scouts from NFL teams like the Jaguars, Giants, Chargers and Chiefs put the players through measurements, strength and speed tests, as well as football drills on the field. One of the former JU Dolphins that may have the best chance to play at the next level is linebacker Justin Horton. The 6 foot 2 240 pound captain set personal bests in the broad jump (10 feet, 3 inches), the vertical leap (37 inches), and the bench press (23 reps at 225 pounds). Horton also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds, a time he wasn't thrilled about, but he was very happy with his performance as a whole.
" I wasn't too nervous," said Horton. "I was always taught that if you prepare right and have confidence that you are going to do good, you will be straight. I may have been a little anxious, but for the most part, I knew I was going to do alright."
Horton said that since the end of the football season four months ago, every workout has pointed to this day. To be able to have just the chance to play in the NFL has been a dream of his since he can remember.
"It's been 19 years of dreaming. I've wanted to play in the league (NFL) since I was four years old. 19 years of thinking about it and work, so when that day comes, if I am blessed enough it will be a big day for me and my family. I'm looking forward to it."
While Horton is leaning on years of experience on the football field to get to the next level, One athlete that participated in JU pro day does not have that luxury. Garrett Scantling has plenty of experience as an athlete, just not on the football field. The All-American decathlete from the University of Georgia fell one spot short of making the Olympic team in 2016. His father encouraged him to give football a try while he gets ready for the next Olympic games in 2020. Scantling caught 66 passes for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior at Episcopal School of Jacksonville his senior year and says he has always had football in his heart.
"It's hard, it's tough to pick right back up again," said Scantling. "I've always had my hands, that is one of my strong suits, they haven't left me. So, I just had to learn how to run the routes again which I think I picked up pretty easily so I can't complain."