Throughout the offseason, The Game Haus will be spotlighting some under-the-radar prospects hoping to continue their football careers on the professional level – preferably in the NFL.
Most hail from schools outside the traditional Power 5, and even from the FCS level. However, their heart and determination to reach the NFL, or any professional football league, for that matter, is larger and greater than most recognizable NFL prospects looking to make their dream a reality.
Today, Taronn Selby is up, wide receiver from Delaware State.
Recently, Taronn Selby found himself watching the NFL Scouting Combine. It wasn’t background noise. In a way, it was homework.
Selby, a senior who is about to graduate with a Business Marketing degree from Delaware State, is also using the combine as a barometer. As in how he can compare himself to those former collegiate athletes expected to be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Photo by channelship.net
Though Selby led the Hornets, out of the FCS, in receptions each of the last two seasons, he is not a lock to be drafted. He was not invited to the combine, so he has to get professional scouts, NFL, or any other league, to notice him on his own. The next opportunity will come later this month at the University of Delaware’s pro day.
“I watched the combine pretty close, watched all the receivers,” Selby said. “What did they do, how did they run? OK, now what do I need to do, what 40-time do I need to run?
“I know what I have to do.”
Selby is certainly doing his part to get noticed. As a football player from a small school, he knows most scouts won’t be looking for him, rather he has to make it happen. Selby did that by totaling 74 catches for 989 yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons.
He further helped his cause with a solid showing (three catches, 28 yards) at the recent FCS Bowl, an all-star contest that showcases some of the best talent the subdivision has to offer.
“I feel anybody. no matter where you played, (can play pro football) if they put the time in,” Selby said. “If you have the stats, I believe (the scouts) will find you.
“I’ve been working hard. I really want to take full advantage of this opportunity.”
It also helps Selby that he’s not going at this alone.
His twin brother, Keyjuan, a defensive back for the Hornets and his team’s defensive MVP at the FCS Bowl, is also along for the ride. Together, the brothers train and condition every day to prepare themselves for the upcoming pro day and hopefully a shot at a professional roster.
They are rarely apart, and now each is helping the other to make that dream come true.
“We’re going even harder than we’ve ever done,” Taronn said of training with his brother. “Nobody can make me better than the person who knows me best.”
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