In a hectic NFL offseason with trades and free agent acquisitions, it’s difficult to remember that the Draft is just about a month away. Leading up to Draft Day in Detroit, schools around the country are hosting pro days to provide their student-athletes an avenue for scouts to make it to the next level.
Ten former Liberty players participated in Pro Day at the Liberty Football Indoor Practice Facility in front of 22 representatives from 20 NFL organizations. OL X’Zauvea Gadlin highlighted the list of performers. WR Aaron Bedgood, S Brandon Bishop, LB Tyren Dupree, WR Noah Frith, OL Jonathan Graham, WR Eddie Ogle, and FB Rick Weaver also went through workouts, as did DT Dennis Osagiede, and WR Caleb Snead who concluded their playing time with the Flames at the conclusion of the 2022 football season.
Bedgood had his initial waiver for an extra year of eligibility denied by the NCAA. The former Coastal Carolina wide receiver transferred to the Flames prior to the 2023 season. He has missed huge chunks of multiple seasons due to injury and he is still hopeful to have the NCAA hear his appeal for an additional year. Despite that, Bedgood went through the workouts on Wednesday.
Gadlin was the lone Liberty player invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month and has the best chance to hear his name called in the draft. The 6’3″ offensive line didn’t have the best showing at Lucas Oil Stadium with a 5.5 in the 40-yard dash.
Wednesday was an opportunity for Gadlin to raise his draft stock by improving his times and performing well in position drills. He felt an extra boost of confidence being back on campus in front of former teammates and coaches throughout the day.
“There were some things I knew I wanted to be better at,” Gadlin said of his decision to participate in Liberty’s Pro Day after going to the Combine. “I knew I could get faster. Also, I know how difficult of a day this can be when you get to the drills and things. I didn’t want to leave Jon (Graham) out here by himself. I wanted to make sure I took care of my brother.”
Graham is a name that seems to be on the radar of several scouts around the NFL. He hopes his time on the field in front of scouts Wednesday will give him an opportunity to find an NFL home. He spent much of the first part of 2024 training with former Liberty football player and now elite trainer Chip Smith in Atlanta.
“To go 13-1, have a great season, and now we’re moving on with our lives,” Graham said of the journey he has been on during his Liberty career with several of his teammates including Gadlin. “(We’re) trying to take that next step together because we know we can do it.”
