UM’s Bates, Johnson Await NFL Draft

UMaine senior football players Trevor Bates and Bruce Johnson will be keeping a close watch on the NFL Draft proceedings that start tonight. They are hoping that one team calls their name over the next three days.

And if that does not happen during the draft, perhaps there will be a call to sign with a NFL team as a free agent once the draft concludes.

Like many young football players, Bates and Johnson just want a chance.

10 NFL teams sent scouts to Orono last month to watch several UMaine players workout.

Bates is a 6-foot-2, 250 pound defensive end from Westbrook. He was in on 57 tackles and had 7.5 sacks last fall. Some football experts think he can play linebacker at the next level.

Johnson is a 6-foot-3, 300 pound center from New York. He won the Rimington Award for the nation's top FCS center.

Round one of the NFL Draft is tonight. Rounds two and three are tomorrow night. Rounds four thru seven are Saturday.