Pro hopefuls share memories playing as Cardinals

By Morgan Huizar LOGOS SPORTSWRITER

The recent success of the University of the Incarnate Word’s football program apparently has created growing interest in the potential and number of players who could go pro.

Several NFL scouts showed up for Pro Day Wednesday, March 22, at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. What they saw could determine if some former UIW players’ names are called during the April 27-29 NFL draft.

Twenty-two-year-old linebacker Kelechi

Anyalebechi had an impressive Pro Day. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder from

Pearland, Texas, ran a 4.7, 40-yard dash with a 37-inch vertical leap.

Quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr., already drafted No. 2 by the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers, still has eyes focused on the NFL. He’s worked out with the New Orleans Saints and plans to meet with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Scott said it was former Cardinals Head Coach G.J. Kinne’s college and NFL quarterbacking background that led Kinne to recruit him to UIW last year to lead an explosive offense. Twice, Scott threw seven touchdowns in a game.

“Just the explosive offense that (we) had,” Scott, 24, said. “That is something

I wanted to be a part of. It’s a no-brainer having so many great offensive minds.”

Marcus Cooper, who holds UIW rushing records, expressed his gratitude on how the UIW coaches took a chance on him. Cooper believes that it was a brotherhood that was created to win ball games. Cooper finished his season with 1,436 yards, 12 TDs and 6.8 yards per carry.

“What brought me here initially was the coaches taking a chance on me,” said Cooper, a 5-foot-8, 184-pounder from Altair, Texas. “A coach that knew me forever ended up getting a job here, and he realized I was in quite a complex situation and felt like I should join UIW. When I came over here everything was a done deal and everybody treated me like I was family. It was an easy decision.”

E-mail Huizar, a senior at John Marshall High School who will be majoring in communication arts this fall, at morganhuizar5@gmail.com or mlhuiza1@ student.uiwtx.edu