The Morehouse football program, under coach Rich Freeman, continues to build a higher Division II profile.
After offensive tackle Ramon Harewood was selected in last year's NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens, the Maroon Tigers made the first playoff appearance in school history.
The pros have shown interest in at least five more Maroon Tigers, who are considered late-round draft picks or possible free agents, and 11 teams have been in contact with defensive tackle Derrin "The Freight Train" Nettles, the SIAC defensive player of the year.
"I hadn't heard a whole lot lately," Freeman said. "We spoke with someone from the Saints earlier. They were real high on him. I really think that Nettles, if he doesn't get drafted, he'll get into somebody's camp. We are talking about kid who bench-presses 500 pounds."
Nettles, who is 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, dominated the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for two seasons after starting his career at Auburn.
He led the nation's Division II teams in forced fumbles with seven and was second in tackles for loss with 27.5. His 10 sacks tied him for 18th. He was among the finalists for the Gene Upshaw Division II lineman of the year award.
Nettles, who works out at Process One Fitness in Douglassville, hopes to get a late invitation to the NFL scouting combine while prepares for Morehouse and Clark Atlanta's pro workout day on March 9.
"They all want me at about 300 pounds," Nettles said. "I need to do the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds and I need 30-plus reps at 225 pounds."
He's hoping to follow Sammie Lee Hill, another oversized tackle who played for Stillman in the SIAC and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2009 draft.
"I can be a pass rusher and play two gaps," Nettles said. "I think I fit best with the teams that run the 3-4 defense. I think I can help them out a whole lot."
Freeman said Nettles compares favorably to Hill.
"He's the quickest defensive tackle, the best defensive tackle, that I've ever coached," Freeman said.
Other Morehouse pro prospects include center/guard Stacy Louis, tackle Miles Stroter, kicker Ian Mullen and linebacker Brandon Cunningham.
Louis, a 6-2, 315-pounder from College Park, went to Banneker for a year before finishing high school at a boarding school in Omaha, Neb. He started his collegiate career at two-year Peru State College.
"He comes off the ball really well," Freeman said. "He's going to get some looks from pro scouts."
Louis played in the HBCU all-star game and was interviewed by pro scouts.
"I know that my agent has talked to a few scouting directors that want to see me at the pro day," Louis said. "I should put up some good numbers. I've always had very good feet."
Mullen handled the punting in the Cactus Bowl all-star game, which was played Jan. 7 in Kingsville, Texas.
Stroter, at 6-8 and 350 pounds, is huge.
"I'm surprised that he is not getting as much attention," Freeman said.
Cunningham suffered a broken arm in the playoff game, a 63-41 loss to Wingate and could not accept his Cactus Bowl invitation.
"This gives us great exposure," Freeman said of the NFL attention and playoff run. "To be able to log onto our website, and see that we've gone to the playoffs for the first time in school history and finished the season off as one of the top 25 teams in the country, definitely helps with recruiting."
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