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Wide receiver Karel Hamilton was one of eight Samford players to participate in Thursday's Pro Day. (Photo, Robert Smith)

Eight Samford football players participated in Pro Day in the hope of continuing the recent success of a Bulldog being selected in the NFL draft.

The players worked out for 36 scouts from NFL and CFL teams on Thursday morning at Seibert Stadium on the Samford campus.

Wide receivers Karel Hamilton and Emmanuel Obajimi, offensive linemen Royus Amos and Armando Bonheur, defensive linemen Ladarius Banks, Roosevelt Donaldson and Jared Holloway, and free safety Jamerson Blount performed in the bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, pro agility, three-cone drill and 60-yard shuttle for the scouts on hand.

A Samford player has been selected in the NFL Draft in four of the last five years. The program has produced second-round picks in each of the last two years, with Jaquiski Tartt (San Francisco 49ers, 2015) and James Bradberry (Carolina Panthers, 2016).

"This is a big day," Samford head coach Chris Hatcher said. "It's the culmination of a lot of hard work. Today, the scouts are able to gather some hard evidence and facts about each player, numbers-wise, but there is a lot of work that goes into getting drafted, other than today. Most of that is how you play during the season, that's your resume."

Some of the players also went through position drills. Hamilton said he felt good about his performance in Thursday's session.

"I feel like I performed well," Hamilton said. "I've been training ever since the East-West Shrine Game, and I just came out here and gave it all I've got. I had a lot of people rooting for me, a lot of teammates and coaches, and that really motivated me to come out here and work hard to show out for small schools like Samford."

Unofficially, Hamilton ran a 4.59 40-yard dash. He also jumped 34 inches in the vertical jump, and 9-feet, 7 inches in the broad jump.

"I think I bring competitiveness and the ability to learn quickly and play at almost any receiver spot," Hamilton said. "That's what I've always worked hard to be. When I first got here, I was more of a 50-50 ball, deep-ball kind of guy, but I taught myself and I fought hard and worked hard to try to be an all-around guy. I think I can definitely bring that to an NFL team, and compete every day, day-in and day-out."

In addition to Hamilton, Bonheur completed 21 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press, while Banks completed 16 reps. Obajimi jumped 10 feet in the broad jump, and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash.

This year's NFL draft will be held April 27-29.