The tryouts benefit the players targeted by NFL teams first and foremost, Skanes said. But, it also sheds a positive light on the program.

“It’s two-fold because it gives the guys that are here hope that they can compete and possibly further their future in football,” he said. “It also shows kids we have NFL scouts coming to Selma, and that opens the door to recruiting to bring in other athletes to replace these guys.”

After a 6-4 season, which saw the Hornets finish ranked No. 7 in the Dr. Cavil’s HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Black College Mid-Major Division Football Final Top 10 Rankings, Concordia was named the Dr. Cavil’s HBCU Independent Co-Program of the Year.

Skanes was also named the HBCU Independent Program Division Coach of the Year.

The awards, Skanes said, are a great way to catch the eye of scouts and move players through to the next level.

“After winning some of these awards, scouts know about us,” he said. “They see things like that and they know there is talent.”

talent. That’s what scouts do — they get out and find the talent. We are playing quality football playing guys like Grambling and Jackson State, and it is paying off.”