HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – As we approach the announcement of a new crop of players looking to star at Louis Crews Stadium, the players that have graced that field in years past are showing they are ready to carry the mantle of Alabama A&M football on to the next level with several impressive performances in front of National Football League (NFL) personnel this past weekend.
 
A&M football, particularly the offense, was on full display as senior wide receiver Dee Anderson (Dallas, Texas) participated in the NFL HBCU Combine in Mobile, Alabama from January 28-29 and graduate quarterback Aqeel Glass (St. Louis, Mo.) lit it up at the prestigious NFLPA Collegiate Bowl this past Saturday.
 
The latter was a week-long event in Pasadena, California that not only exposed Glass to NFL scouts and talent but also saw Bulldog offensive coordinator Duane Taylor put his high-powered offense on display in front of the entire country as he served as OC of the American team in a game aired live on NFL Network.
 
For Anderson, a 6-6 target being worked out at wide receiver and tight end, he met with representatives of all 32 NFL teams in formal interviews before going through on field workouts. A former member of wide receiver corps at Football Bowl Championship (FBS) powers LSU and Oklahoma State, Anderson is no stranger to being around high level programs but this past weekend's event allowed him the opportunity to showcase his talent and make professional connections that could help get him to the next level.
 
Having grown up playing high school football in Texas, that's always been on his radar and Anderson knows what it takes having competed with and against some of the best.
 
"If you can play Texas high school football you can play almost anywhere," said Anderson. "I'm ready for all the HBCU players to put HBCU's on the map. It's our opportunity. Just put me on the field and see what I can do. I'll show you what I can do."
 
On the field was exactly where Glass was, with players from all over the college football landscape as he nearly led the American team to a come-from-behind victory at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
 
Essentially splitting the quarterback duties, Glass went 9-of-11 for a game-high 141 yards and a touchdown that put the American squad up 14-0 early in the second quarter. That would come on an 11-yard strike to Nicholls State wideout Dai'jean Dixon with 9:21 on the clock.
 
Trailing 25-24 after a National touchdown and two-point conversion with 3:47 to play in the game, Glass and Taylor's offense got the ball back and went to work. The 6-5 NFL prospect then delivered 18- and 11-yard completions as part of a 47-yard drive that put them in field goal range before a 46-yarder that would have won the game sailed wide left as time expired.
 
Despite the result not coming through as hoped, the effort has once again showcased both Glass' next level talent and that of the offense constructed by Taylor – this time in front of a national audience.
 
SETTING THEMSELVES APART
Glass was one of just five players from the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) ranks, and the only one on the offensive side of the ball, and was one of five players from the State of Alabama selected to play in the game.
 
From fellow HBCU's he was joined by safety Cory Rahman (Tennessee State), defensive back CJ Holmes (Jackson State), James Houston (Jackson State) and DB Markquese Bell (Florida A&M) and by quarterback Zerrick Cooper (Jacksonville State), specialist Cameron Kaye (Troy), offensive tackle Jachai Baker (South Alabama) and linebacker T.D. Moultry (Auburn) from Alabama.
 
Glass was among more than 100 players selected that included individuals from Oregon State, Cincinnati, Miami, California, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Texas A&M, UCLA, North Carolina, Michigan, Iowa, FCS National Champion North Dakota State, USC and Auburn
 
For Taylor, who has constructed one of the most dangerous offenses in the country and that was just recognized as American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Minority Offensive Staff of the Year, he was the only current HBCU coach on either the National or American coaching staffs.
 
He served as offensive coordinator on long-time NFL head coach Jeff Fisher's staff which featured the likes of legendary defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and former players Seneca Wallace, Robert Edwards, Nate Washington, Chris Chambers, Brandon Manumaleuna, Eugene Chung, Andre Gurode, Aldon Smith and Nick Novak.
 
ABOUT THE NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL
Designed to give some of most talented players across the college football landscape the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of National Football League (NFL) scouts, player personnel, general managers and head coaches from all 32 teams, the week-long event also introduces them to aspects beyond the field that professional athletes contend with, particularly life style changes that come with that opportunity.
 
A path to the next level, previous participants that have gone to play in the NFL include Tarik Cohen (Chicago Bears), Kelvin Beachum (Arizona Cardinals), Elandon Roberts (Miami Dolphins), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Green Bay Packers), Darnell Mooney (Chicago Bears), Chris Conley (Houston Texans), Duron Harmon (Atlanta Falcons) and Marquette King (Las Vegas Raiders).
 
Full information on the game and its history can be found on the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl website, including an extensive list of former players to reach the NFL and complete rosters and coaching staffs for both teams.