In addition to the five draftees, 39 other players that competed in the inaugural game have been signed by NFL clubs as preferred free agents. Others who played in the collegiate showcase event could be signed as well in the coming days and weeks, adding to the current total of 44 players.

SMU's Kelvin Beachum, and family

The 2012 draft picks from the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl are: Detroit Lions cornerback Jonte Green (New Mexico State), Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Brandon Washington (Miami), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (SMU), Washington Redskins cornerback Richard Crawford (SMU) and Redskins cornerback Jordan Bernstine (Iowa).

“I’m just very happy for the opportunity to do something I’ve always dreamed of,” said Jarrett Lee, who signed with the San Diego Chargers. “I couldn’t ask for a better organization to go to. When you stay positive and keep the faith, good things will happen. I’m very proud and excited to start this next chapter in my life,” he continued.

For the complete story and a list of all bowl game participants who are now in the NFL, go here.

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Kelvin Beachum and family

While in New York for pre-draft responsibilities, the offensive lineman from Southern Methodist spent a few minutes to chat with Pro Player Insiders. Having his mother, who has been to the Big Apple previously, alongside helped the small-town Texas native navigate the ins and outs of Manhattan.

“I’ve never been exposed to stuff like this,” Beachum told PPI, “so I’m just having fun.”

Beachum is at his father’s auto shop in Texas—far from the bright lights of New York—working and watching the draft in his hometown this weekend. He mentioned Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Jeff Saturday, Joe Thomas and Jason Peters as NFL players he admires.

Watch the exclusive video interview and get to know more about Beachum here:

The post Beachum, Auto Shop to the NFL appeared first on Pro Player Insiders.

Kelvin Beachum and family

Not every player that will be drafted this weekend will have played college football at one of the programs in the big six conferences in college football. The path to the NFL is easier for the players of the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big 10, Pac-10, and SEC, but for every big school success like Peyton Manning there is a player like Marques Colston, who played his college football at Hofstra.

One of the players that is trying to make the leap from one of college football’s mid-major conferences to the NFL this year is Kelvin Beachum Jr.  Beachum played his college football at Conference USA’s, SMU.

SMU was once a national football power capable of producing one of the greatest running backs in football history, Eric Dickerson. Then in 1986, scandal broke at the SMU campus and the program was given the death penalty by the NCAA.

In 2005, the SMU football program was given a second chance by Conference USA. In 2009 and 2010 the Mustangs won Conference USA’s western division and won bowl games both seasons.

One of the reasons for the turnaround at SMU is Beachum.  He was a top recruit in the state of Texas and decided to be a part of rebuilding the SMU program.  After redshirting his freshman season, Beachum came back to play every single game during his college career.

Beachum was named All-Conference USA as a junior and a senior and earned an invitation to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Beachum is aware of the uphill battle that players from Conference USA face in their journey to the NFL and told ProPlayerInsiders that the most important thing for a player from a small conference to achieve is dominance each time the ball is snapped.

“If you are coming from a smaller conference and the perception is that the talent isn’t as great as some of the other conferences you need to make sure that you dominate each and every play,” he said.

Beachum’s dominance in college has resulted in him being ranked as one of the top 20 offensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft. Projections have Beachum being drafted as high as the fifth round or as low as being signed as an undrafted free-agent after the draft.

Beachum isn’t too concerned when he ends up being drafted or if he ends up being drafted at all. “All that matters to me is that I get a chance to end up in a camp,” Beachum told ProPlayer Insiders. “I know that if I get to go to camp I am going to make the team.”

Beachum isn’t going to sit around for three days waiting for his name to be called. Instead, he says that he will be working on his car with his Dad so that it’s ready to take him wherever he needs to go to make his NFL dreams come true.

One of the things that will help Beachum at the draft is his high moral character.  Beachum has a strong religious faith and looks forward to playing the drums at church every Sunday.

As for SMU, the program has fought its way back from the death penalty to accepting a spot in a big BCS conference. Starting in 2013, SMU will begin to compete in the Big East. Future recruits won’t need to worry about shaking off the small school label like Beachum was forced to do.

Beachum talks about his experience blocking draft prospect Dontari Poe from Memphis. Poe has scouts divided about where he should be drafted, but Beachum says that from the first time he seen Poe on film he knew he was going to be difficult to block.

The post Mid-Major Football Won’t Stop Kelvin Beachum appeared first on Pro Player Insiders.

PPI learns the favorites of Kelvin Beachum Jr., Offensive Tackle, SMU

Kelvin Beachum and family

1. Name five NFL players you most look forward to playing with or against.

1)     Ray Lewis

2)     Joe Thomas

3)     Haloti Ngata

4)     Jason Peters

5)     D’Brickashaw Ferguson

2. Name five things you plan to do once you’re drafted

1)     Thank god and my lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity

2)     Tell my family about it

3)     Hugging my parents

4)     Tell my coaches and teammates

5)     Find out where I need to report

3. List the last five songs added to your iPod

1)     I’m In Your Care BY: Canton Spirituals

2)     HYMN: Oh Lord I Want You to Help Me

3)     How Much Do I Owe BY: Georgia Mass Choir

4)     Because of the Blood BY: Ricky Dillard

5)     Let Go BY: DeWayne Woods

4. Name five favorite things to do when not playing football

1)     Work on cars with my dad

2)     Spending time with my family

3)     Going to church

4)     Playing drums at church

5)     Riding four wheelers in the country

5. Five Favorite Foods

1)     Fish

2)     Homemade biscuits

3)     Grandma’s Meatloaf

4)     Salmon Croquettes

5)     Chicken fried steak

Also

• Favorite Football memory

“Going to Hawaii for the Hawaii Bowl and winning that game.”

• Most inspirational/influential

“My father and Adrian Klemm (offensive line coach at SMU).”

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On the eve of the 2012 NFL Draft, the NFL Players Association will host an event designed to introduce the rising class of NFL players to the organization that works tirelessly to protect the players’ interests.

Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright

NFLPA Rookie Debut, a private reception for draft-eligible players and their families, brings together players past, present and future to celebrate the transition from prospective to professional. It will feature at least 37 players that are likely selections in this weekend’s NFL Draft. The newcomers-in-waiting, ranging from the likes of Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden to Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright, will be in attendance at the New York City event.

At least 16 active players and 18 former NFL greats, including Ray Rice, will join to welcome future stars into the fold in the meet-and-greet, an effort of the NFL Players Association and its marketing arm, NFL PLAYERS.

Now in its third year, NFLPA Rookie Debut welcomes the stars of tomorrow into the NFLPA family and unites them with the stars of today and yesteryear. The closed event also gives the draft-eligible players the ability to hear the union’s message up close and personal before they enter the NFL.

The first hour and a half of NFLPA Rookie Debut will be live-streamed on the NFL Players Association’s Ustream channel. NFL analyst Greg Cosell will host the Ustream show and will conduct interviews with players during the live coverage portion. The event will take place Wednesday from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Initial confirmed attendees (subject to change) include: Weeden, Wright, Joshua Robinson, Courtney Upshaw, David Wilson, Davin Meggett, Isaiah Pead, Joshua Robinson, Kelvin Beachum, Kendall Reyes, Lavonte David, Mohamed Sanu, Nicholas Toon, Russell Wilson, Whitney Mercilus, Mark Barron, Justin Blackmon, Michael Brockers, Morris Claiborne, Quinton Coples, Fletcher Cox, Lavonte David, Coby Fleener, Michael Floyd, Stephon Gilmore, Robert Griffin III, Stephen Hill, Melvin Ingram, Matt Kalil, D’Andre Kirkpatrick, Andrew Luck, Shea McClellin, Nick Perry, Dontari Poe, Reuben Randle, Kendall Reyes and Trent Richardson.

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