Three Winston-Salem State seniors have one more college football game to play — Sunday's third annual HBCU All-Star Game in Atlanta.
And the three — tight end Michael Byrd, defensive end Akeem Ward and rover Alton Keaton — have the benefit of being in game shape, because their season just ended last week in the Division II semifinals.
"I think it will be a big benefit to them," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said. "A lot of those guys' seasons have been over for a while, so those players will have to use this week to get into shape for the game."
Running back Nic Cooper of WSSU also was invited to play but probably will not in order to preserve his final semester of eligibility, according to WSSU coaches.
The game brings together seniors from the CIAA, Mid-Eastern Athletic, Southwestern Athletic and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic conferences to allow players to showcase their talents one more time in front of NFL scouts.
Most of the players arrived in Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday and had their first practice scheduled Tuesday afternoon. Kickoff will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
Byrd, a 6-foot-3 and 240-pound tight end, played three seasons at East Carolina before completing his eligibility with the Rams.
"I'm excited about the game, and it's really all about getting another week of exposure because the NFL scouts are here," he said.
Byrd finished his final season with five catches for 73 yards and three touchdowns and also was a valuable blocker.
He realizes this week could be his last in organized football.
"I just want to build up my stock, but really I want to have fun and enjoy the experience," Byrd said. "I know the NFL is a dream, and it's no guarantee, so I just want to go out and do my best."
Ward (6-4, 260) led WSSU in sacks (6.5) and was fourth on the team in tackles (54). He lost close to 30 pounds before the season and used that quickness to his advantage in the Rams' 13-1 season.
Ward said he's fighting a cold and "my shoulder is a little banged up, but I'm hoping to get treatment this week and be ready for the game."
Ward said he already has had numerous interviews in Atlanta with NFL scouts.
Keaton, who led the Rams in tackles with 104, was the CIAA defensive player of the year, and defensive coordinator Kienus Boulware said Keaton's knowledge of the game put him in the right spots a lot of the time.
"He grew into our most-valuable football player," Boulware said of Keaton. "All three of those guys are in great position to succeed down there, and I think they will be looked upon differently because of the season we had."
Maynor said that having four players invited to the game is a testament to the program.
"Any time you get a chance to show off your talent to the scouts is a good thing," Maynor said.
"Ward will get a chance to go up against some SWAC players, and that will be a benefit for him to see what he can do against some of those Division I players."
According to the HBCU All-Star Game website, three players from last year's game were drafted by NFL teams and 35 others signed as free agents.
Other CIAA players invited to play include: quarterback Dominique Budd, defensive back Kenneth Turner and linebacker Delano Johnson of Bowie State; defensive back Andre Lyles and offensive lineman Larry McDonald of Fayetteville State; defensive linemen Charles Dias and Stanley Porter of Shaw; receiver Kevin Hodrick of Chowan; defensive back Daron Jones of Lincoln; and linebacker Jeremy Pruit of Virginia State.
Wide receiver Wallace Miles, offensive lineman Alex Harper and defensive back Justin Ferrell of N.C. A&T also were invited.
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