University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Photo by: Mike Dunlop
Panthers Prepare For The Future
1/15/2016 9:43:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – With April quickly approaching, the University of Northern Iowa football program is looking toward the approaching NFL draft, with several student-athletes training and preparing for their future careers.
The Panthers had 21 seniors on the 2015 roster, one of UNI's most talented and decorated groups of student-athletes to come through the historic UNI-Dome. The Panthers broke UNI and MVFC records throughout last season, showing that they have a future in professional football.
Two of UNI's six All-Americans from 2015 earned spots in All-Star games this spring, with Deiondre' Hall accepting invitations to the Reese's Senior Bowl (Jan. 30, 1:30 p.m. CT) and the NFL Combine while Makinton Dorleant will participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (Jan. 23, 5 p.m. CT). Hall is one of seven athletes representing the FCS at the Senior Bowl while Dorleant will be the sole representative of the MVFC at the CFLPA Bowl.
Hall and Dorleant showed their versatility this past fall, something NFL coaches look for in a possible prospect. Hall has played anything from cornerback to wide receiver while Dorleant took snaps at cornerback, punt return, kick return and wide receiver in 2015.
Hall, a Blue Springs, Mo. native, has been racking in the awards this postseason, including being named the College Football Performance Awards National Defensive Back of the Year and the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year. He has earned spots on seven different All-America teams this year, along with becoming a three-time All-Conference selection with his first-team nod in 2015.
Dorleant earned a spot on the College Sports Madness and STATS All-America teams after also being named to the All-MVFC squad for the third consecutive season. The Naples, Fla. native shined as a punt returner for the Panthers this season, finishing the year ranked No. 4 in the country in punt returns. He doubled as a feisty cornerback, leading the conference and earning a No. 15 ranking in FCS in passes defended.
UNI's prospects heading into draft season will be in good company, with a slew of former Panthers tearing it up in the NFL, Canadian Football League and the arena football circuit.
Former UNI record holder David Johnson has had a standout rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals, being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month to end the regular season. He also became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 500 rushing, 400 receiving and 500 kickoff return yards along with 13 touchdowns.
Johnson isn't the only Panther representing Cedar Falls in the NFL, with Xavier Williams joining the Clinton, Iowa native on the Arizona Cardinals. Former linebacker L.J. Fort is seeing action with the Pittsburgh Steelers while Austin Howard is continuing his successful career in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.
Dorleant and Hall will look to improve their stock and join the Panthers already in the professional world with their All-Star games this month. Fans can catch the NFLPA College Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN2 with the Reese's Senior Bowl airing on Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m. CT on the NFL Network.
The Panthers had 21 seniors on the 2015 roster, one of UNI's most talented and decorated groups of student-athletes to come through the historic UNI-Dome. The Panthers broke UNI and MVFC records throughout last season, showing that they have a future in professional football.
Two of UNI's six All-Americans from 2015 earned spots in All-Star games this spring, with Deiondre' Hall accepting invitations to the Reese's Senior Bowl (Jan. 30, 1:30 p.m. CT) and the NFL Combine while Makinton Dorleant will participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (Jan. 23, 5 p.m. CT). Hall is one of seven athletes representing the FCS at the Senior Bowl while Dorleant will be the sole representative of the MVFC at the CFLPA Bowl.
Hall and Dorleant showed their versatility this past fall, something NFL coaches look for in a possible prospect. Hall has played anything from cornerback to wide receiver while Dorleant took snaps at cornerback, punt return, kick return and wide receiver in 2015.
Hall, a Blue Springs, Mo. native, has been racking in the awards this postseason, including being named the College Football Performance Awards National Defensive Back of the Year and the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year. He has earned spots on seven different All-America teams this year, along with becoming a three-time All-Conference selection with his first-team nod in 2015.
Dorleant earned a spot on the College Sports Madness and STATS All-America teams after also being named to the All-MVFC squad for the third consecutive season. The Naples, Fla. native shined as a punt returner for the Panthers this season, finishing the year ranked No. 4 in the country in punt returns. He doubled as a feisty cornerback, leading the conference and earning a No. 15 ranking in FCS in passes defended.
UNI's prospects heading into draft season will be in good company, with a slew of former Panthers tearing it up in the NFL, Canadian Football League and the arena football circuit.
Former UNI record holder David Johnson has had a standout rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals, being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month to end the regular season. He also became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 500 rushing, 400 receiving and 500 kickoff return yards along with 13 touchdowns.
Johnson isn't the only Panther representing Cedar Falls in the NFL, with Xavier Williams joining the Clinton, Iowa native on the Arizona Cardinals. Former linebacker L.J. Fort is seeing action with the Pittsburgh Steelers while Austin Howard is continuing his successful career in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.
Dorleant and Hall will look to improve their stock and join the Panthers already in the professional world with their All-Star games this month. Fans can catch the NFLPA College Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN2 with the Reese's Senior Bowl airing on Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m. CT on the NFL Network.
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