Four JMU players pursue NFL

By John Galle The Breeze

May 9, 2007

Harrisonburg, VA (CSTV U-WIRE) -- Four seniors from JMU's football team will be draft eligible this Saturday, hoping that they've impressed NFL scouts enough to be selected, signed as an undrafted free agent or at least invited to a camp.

According to JMU strength and conditioning coach Jim Durning - the pro liaison for the Dukes - quarterback Justin Rascati, running back Alvin Banks and offensive tackle Corey Davis are all projected anywhere from the fifth round to free agency, while linebacker Akeem Jordan is projected solely as an undrafted free agent prospect.

"It's hard to know [for sure]," Durning said. "You just never know. All decisions are based on needs, which change throughout the draft."

At JMU's pro day, eight to ten different NFL team scouts were in attendance, but didn't focus on any particular JMU players, Durning said. The Jets, Bengals, Panthers, Redskins, Colts and Texans were a few of the teams represented. The Cardinals and Rams also came to JMU for individual workouts after pro day.

"A lot of these guys are going to be free agent deals," JMU offensive coordinator Jeff Durden said. "But we're hoping we'll get one or two drafted."

In ESPN's NFL Draft Guide 2007, which was released on magazine shelves in March, Scouts, Inc. had projected former JMU quarterback Justin Rascati and former JMU running back Alvin Banks as sleeper picks that would ultimately go into the NFL as undrafted free agents.

At No. 21 in his position, Rascati was just four spots away from getting a seventh-round projection. With a listed 40-yard-dash time of 4.80 (comparable to LSU's Jamarcus Russell (4.75) or Michigan State's Drew Stanton (4.82)), Rascati was compared to David Garrard of the Jaguars - a guy with mobility, exceptional touch and accuracy, but perhaps lacking arm strength and pocket presence at the next level.

"We all just need an opportunity [to make a camp]," Rascati said. "Coming from a smaller school, you kind of get overlooked a little bit, because they knock the competition that we play."

Rascati, however, has pushed himself to the forefront as much as possible, getting increased exposure at two Virginia Tech pro days, Florida's pro day and playing in the Las Vegas Bowl All-Star game.

According to Rascati, a roster spot is the most important thing, and since being drafted doesn't guarantee that, Rascati and his three teammates just want a chance to show their talent in a camp.

In a much less heralded running back draft class than last year, Banks is looking for a better opportunity to get that chance, despite having knee issues in 2004 and hamstring and ankle injuries this past year.

Banks was ranked at No. 27 by Scouts, Inc. out of the top 60 running backs analyzed and was just three spots away from a seventh-round projection. Since then, however, Banks has impressed scouts at JMU's pro day by running a 4.50 second 40-yard dash on his first attempt and a 4.45 on his second run (his personal best). Scouts, Inc. had him listed at 4.59 in March, citing speed as a potential downside.

"I had the fastest times in every drill except one [the shuttle]," Banks said of his pro day. "I think I impressed a lot of teams."

A number of NFL teams have already shown interest in Banks in contacting his agent. However, the Eagles just recently contacted Banks directly on Monday, while the Vikings, Steelers and Jets have already seen the Hampton native for personal workouts.

Corey Davis has been an integral force on the line for JMU's running game throughout his career. But, like his teammate and friend Akeem Jordan, Davis said he's not getting into the hype of the draft itself and may not even watch it.

Unlike his teammates, Davis doesn't believe he had a very good pro day, which saw the highest scouting turnout the senior has seen yet at JMU. Davis said his training times were all better, and hurting himself during pro day didn't help matters.

"It was horrible," Davis said. "I've been working out for however long and I didn't show anything good at all. But as a pro day in general, everybody else did really great and opened a lot of eyes.

"Personally, I think it's a little overhyped. I've got four years worth of tape. I tell them to watch my tape. Watch my tape. I'm not a testing guy ... but if you get me on the field and get me doing position drills, I'll do those all day."

Last, but not least, Akeem Jordan put together an exceptional senior year as he led the team with 140 tackles (17 for loss, 5.5 sacks) to attract scouting attention. He was also named to three All-America first teams, was second in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award that is presented to Division I-AA's best defender, was a finalist for the state's Dudley Award and was the Atlantic 10's Defensive Player of the Year.

Despite coming from JMU, a smaller, Division I-AA school, these four players can look to recent draftees and past ones who have made it in the NFL with similar backgrounds.

Hofstra's former wide receiver Marques Colston, for example, was picked 252nd overall by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh and final round of last year's draft. Since then, he has recorded 70 catches, eight touchdowns and over 1,000 yards as a rookie with a Division I-AA background.

Perhaps a better example of small town draftability is with Division II fourth-rounder Jahri Evans, a 6-foot-4, 316-pound offensive tackle from Bloomsburg University. If those dimensions sound familiar, that's because they essentially match those of Davis, who has about ten pounds on Evans. Ironically enough, like Colston, Evans was also drafted by the Saints last year and earned a starting role.

All four JMU prospects have acquired agents and a couple of them also have friends within the NFL already, helping ease their transition out of college.

"My good friend Stefen Lefors [from Louisville] got drafted in the fourth round [by the Carolina Panthers]," Rascati said of his former teammate from his freshman year at Louisville. "I've been on the phone with him numerous times ... knowing some people in the NFL and having advice from them definitely helps."

Said Banks: "Marcus Vick called me just the other day to see how I was doing."

Rascati is back home in Gainesville, Fl., and will be trying to relax with his friends and family on draft weekend by playing some golf or lounging by the pool - while staying close to his phone. Similarly, Banks will be home in Hampton while Akeem Jordan and Corey Davis will remain in Harrisonburg.

Regardless of this year's draft class, JMU's football senior class will be sure to brighten the lights at Madison. Seniors Chuck Suppon, Kevin Winston, Isaiah Dottin-Carter, and Phil Minafield have already signed with the Canadian Football League. And as for the future of these four draft prospects, only time will tell.

"We really don't know until the weekend," Davis said. "We're just sitting around, working out and waiting. So, that's pretty much all it's been ...

"To get that phone call would be great, but I just want to get to a camp ... making a camp, working hard and making a team is what I want to do."