Senior record didn't alter NFL path for Fordham's Edmonds, Coyle

One in a series previewing the 2018 NFL Draft on April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Fordham won just four games in 2017, but the Rams had 28 victories over the prior three seasons.

That means they had talent, and NFL scouts have noticed.

Senior running back Chase Edmonds and offensive lineman Anthony Coyle are legitimate pro prospects. Both will be using the Michael Johnson Performance facilities to prepare for Fordham's Pro Day on March 8 and the NFL Draft on April 26-28. The NFL Draft will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

The 5-foot-9, 210-pound Edmonds is at the NFL Combine this weekend in Indianapolis, Ind.

For both, last season's 4-7 record didn't matter when it came to NFL evaluations and training at the Michael Johnson Performance facility.

“Coming from a small school, it’s a shock, but we fit right in,” Coyle said. “You know it’s going to be hard work and you immediately notice what you need to do to take it to the next level for sure.

“It’s not too much different from what we’ve done in college, but they ask us just to stick to what we know, but amp it up a bit. For me, it’s about the ability and athleticism. It’s putting right technique and right fundamentals in place.”

At 6-foot-5 and 297 pounds, Coyle can move defensive players around.

Edmonds, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., is coming off a four-year career where he ran behind Coyle and the rest of the offensive line for 5,862 yards and 67 touchdowns despite an injury-plagued senior season.

He said his biggest wake-up call when he got to the MJP camp was the attention to detail.

“You train in college and think you know a lot and the first two days here, I learned more about my body than the last four years combined,” Edmonds said. “I’m a guy that wants to out-work everybody because that work ethic is what you can control and I just fall in love with the process.

“I feel like I’ve always been a coachable guy, but you go to trainers and talk about your body, but it’s just never really something I’ve understood until now.”

Edmonds said he feels like he'll be looked at as a slot receiver on the next level. He began the NFL Combine strong on Thursday with 19 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

“I've got to prove my lateral quickness and vision,” Edmonds said. “I feel great about understanding the outside or inside zone and how to set up my blocks.

“I feel like I’m one of the quicker guys in the country and if you prepare the right way and look at things like special teams, that’s a great way to earn a roster spot.”

This story was originally published March 2, 2018 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Senior record didn't alter NFL path for Fordham's Edmonds, Coyle."