{"id":352001,"date":"2011-03-30T20:29:22","date_gmt":"2011-03-30T20:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/03\/30\/te-saunders-part-of-gamecocks-pro-day-ap\/"},"modified":"2011-03-30T20:29:22","modified_gmt":"2011-03-30T20:29:22","slug":"te-saunders-part-of-gamecocks-pro-day-ap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/30\/te-saunders-part-of-gamecocks-pro-day-ap\/","title":{"rendered":"TE Saunders part of Gamecocks pro day (AP)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)\u2014Dismissed tight end Weslye Saunders was back on South
\nCarolina<\/a>\u2019s practice field working out for NFL scouts Wednesday\u2014and trying to
\nrepair a reputation damaged by lying to the NCAA.<\/p>\n

Saunders admitted at the NFL combine last month he had lied to NCAA
\ninvestigators over an inquiry into improper contact with agents. He was also
\namong several Gamecocks who lived at a local hotel for discounted rates. Once a
\nhighly regarded prospect, the 6-foot-6, 273-pound senior was kicked off the team
\nin September and did not play a game his senior year.<\/p>\n

So it was a contrite and humbled Saunders who took to South Carolina\u2019s
\npractice facility in front of football personnel from 28 of the NFL\u2019s 32 teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to prove that I have good character, that I\u2019m not a character,\u201d
\nSaunders said.<\/p>\n

Saunders was among several former Gamecocks auditioning for the NFL, none
\nexpected to crack the draft\u2019s first round. The crowd watching included Detroit
\nLions<\/a> head coach Jim Schwartz.<\/p>\n

Other former South Carolina players who took part were safety Chris
\nCulliver, defensive end Cliff Matthews and receiver Tori Gurley, a 23-year-old
\nwho left the program with two years of eligibility remaining.<\/p>\n

Saunders, a large, rangy pass catcher known for running precise routes, was
\nconsidered one of the country\u2019s premier tight ends after choosing to return for
\nhis senior year. But in the summer, Saunders met with the NCAA regarding trips
\nhe took and how they were paid for. That led to the governing body discovering
\nfootball players living at the hotel for discounted rates, something South
\nCarolina\u2019s compliance office signed off on.<\/p>\n

Saunders acknowledged he dug himself an even deeper hole when he lied to the
\nNCAA, a choice that cost him his senior year on the field. It also cost the
\nGamecocks an experienced tight end who might\u2019ve been a difference maker in the
\n9-5 season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest lesson is always be truthful in whatever you do and let the
\nchips fall where they may,\u201d he said. \u201cFabricating a story or not even telling
\nthe whole truth is just the same as telling a lie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saunders did not work out at the NFL combine because of a broken bone in his
\nleft foot. He trained with the pain the past month to prepare for this session.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I got a few brownie points for it,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n

Saunders is scheduled for surgery Friday and expects to need four to six
\nweeks to fully recover.<\/p>\n

Saunders looked sharpest when catching passes. He ran his first 40-yard dash
\nin day-glo green sneakers before changing into more comfortable shoes for his
\nfinal run. \u201cGood,\u201d a scout shouted as Saunders crossed the line.<\/p>\n

Saunders caught 32 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns as a junior in
\n2009.<\/p>\n

It was also a homecoming for Saunders, who had to watch from the outside as
\nthe Gamecocks won the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division crown and played
\nin their first SEC championship game. He thanked athletic director Eric Hyman
\nand coach Steve Spurrier for allowing him to take part.<\/p>\n

Spurrier shook Saunders hand on the field. \u201cHe told me good luck,\u201d
\nSaunders said. \u201cCoach Spurrier, he\u2019s the guy who recruited me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saunders has not heard from the NCAA since last summer and feels his part of
\nthe investigation is over. South Carolina, which received a letter of inquiry
\nfrom the NCAA last September, has not heard any more about the probe\u2019s findings
\nor potential penalties. The Gamecocks served three years of NCAA probation for
\nfive major and five minor violations under former coach Lou Holtz.<\/p>\n

Saunders thinks he\u2019s improved his draft prospects, both with his play and
\nhis talks with NFL personnel.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, the scouts and the coaches knew I made a mistake,
\nbut I didn\u2019t commit any crimes or anything,\u201d he said. \u201cI let them know that it
\nwould never happen again. They would never hear my name anywhere but in the end
\nzone catching passes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Read the article:
\nTE Saunders part of Gamecocks pro day (AP)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)\u2014Dismissed tight end Weslye Saunders was back on South Carolina \u2019s practice field working out for NFL scouts Wednesday\u2014and trying to repair a reputation damaged by lying to the NCAA. 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