Bulk of NFL teams attend FAMU football's Pro Day as players pursue dreams and showcase talent

For the second consecutive year, Bragg Memorial Stadium was filled with National Football League and Canadian Football League scouts looking to identify talent for next season's rosters.

Florida A&M hosted its 2023 Pro Day Thursday as players with professional aspirations performed with hopes of being selected in next month's NFL Draft.

Twenty-two NFL teams and two CFL (Edmonton Elks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers) were represented.

"It's a great day for FAMU and it feels great to allow these young men to realize their dream," FAMU head coach Willie Simmons said. "Everyone who starts playing the game of football dreams about playing in the NFL.

"You get what you deserve and these guys have earned it. Hopefully we can continue this trend."

The Rattlers had seven players participate in drills: wide receiver Xavier Smith, offensive lineman Dariyon Weeden Sr., linebacker Isaiah Land, defensive backs BJ Bohler and Kortney Cox, kicker Jose Romo-Martinez, and punter Chris Faddoul.

"Because of their hard work, dedication to the game and their craft, they allowed this day to take place," Simmons said. "I'm glad that our returning players got to see this and hopefully that gives them a little bit of motivation to continue to do the little things right."

FAMU also welcomed fellow Historical Black College and University (HBCU) players running back Tyler King from Edward Waters and Albany State linebacker Stephan Pierre, a Lincoln High School alumnus and Tallahassee native.

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Isaiah Land and Xavier Smith continue their impressive pre-draft showings

Land headlined FAMU's seven players looking to take the next step into the NFL.

The 2021 Buck Buchanan Award winner played in January's Reese's Senior Bowl and attended February's NFL Scouting Combine, but still returned to his alma mater to work out in front of interested teams.

Land weighed in at 235 pounds, 10 more than his playing weight last season. He participated in the shuttle drill among other combine-style workouts.

"It was special to have a full house today because we would only get one or two scouts during my first couple years at FAMU," Land said. "From day one, we changed the culture to winning. I remember being 18 and the scouts not knowing who I am and it feels good that that day finally came.

"I'm happy that I could show that I could put weight on and still have the same athleticism and add to my explosiveness."

Smith, a former walk-on, returned to FAMU after a dazzling performance at February's HBCU NFL Combine followed by his Offensive MVP performance in the Legacy Bowl.

With his mother, Angenetta, in the crowd cheering him on, the All-American caught passes, his vertical jump measured at 36 inches to complement his blazing 4.38 40-yard dash.

"The feedback that I've been getting from the scouts confirmed everything that I knew I could do on a consistent basis," Smith said. "It means the world because when I walked on five years ago, I hoped that I could get to this position.

"Working with my trainers at the Trench Academy and getting the love and support from my family, my agent, and my team has meant the most to me through this process."

Dark Cloud Defense defensive back duo, Bohler and Cox represents the unit

Bohler was the Rattlers lead cornerback since his arrival 2021.

His 5-foot-9 height proved to just be a number. The All-American benched pressed 225 pounds 16 times and also had the highest vertical for the day at 38 inches. His younger brother, current FAMU defensive back Kendall Bohler, watched and offered his support.

"I feel blessed that I could come out here and put up some crazy numbers in front of NFL scouts after being undersized and looked down upon my whole life," BJ Bohler said. "As long as you give it your all, that's all that matters and I put up some real solid numbers. I'm excited to see what comes from it.

"I'm glad [Kendall] was able to see me go out here to perform to the best of my ability, so he knows what to look forward to in his upcoming years."

Cox has been a constant on Dark Cloud Defense since his 2018 arrival. The soft-spoken defensive back produced 64 tackles, eight pass breakups, an interception and punt return each during his career with the Rattlers.

"We've progressed a lot over these past years," Cox said. "It was a lot of people out here that support us and it was an all-around good atmosphere. I've been getting positive feedback and going to keep my head down and keep working."

Kicking specialists Faddoul and Romo Martinez maintain connection in grind to the pros

Faddoul and Romo-Martinez are inseparable.

Faddoul, an All-American punter, was the placeholder for the All-American kicker Romo-Martinez's field goals and point after attempts (PATs) just four months ago.

That connection translates to today.

Even to the point where they became roommates a nearly a year ago and even did their post-Pro Day interview side-by side.

Faddoul's highlight Thursday was punting for 59 yards while showcasing his leg strength to scouts.

"Thank you to Xavier Smith and Isaiah Land for bringing these scouts out for us," Faddoul joked. "I've been working on my hangtime and my main goal was to gain my confidence back after my ACL surgery.

"[Romo-Martinez] motivates me a lot and it's friendly competition all the time. We eat the same diet and workout at the same time. Everything we do reciprocates through both of us."

Romo-Martinez was nearly automatic during his field goal attempts at Thursday's Pro Day.

"I had pretty solid day and added on to my stats and what I could do. I had a way better day with my kickoffs by showing off my strength and accuracy," he said. "We had a great crowd today and it drove us to give our best.

"[Faddoul and I] had an opportunity to go to the HBCU NFL Combine, so today was another opportunity to showcase in front of the scouts and share the field with our teammates again.

"We have created a really good bond between us and always check up on each other ― especially with both of us going into the draft. It's really good to be able to stay together."

Did your favorite NFL squad attend FAMU football's 2023 Pro Day? Full list of present teams.

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Edmonton Elks ― CFL

Winnipeg Blue Bombers ― CFL

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: NFL teams attend as Rattlers hold 2023 Pro Day