Football | June 28, 2018

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Defensive Back Sam Beal worked out in front of over 50 NFL scouts and representatives, including two general managers, Thursday, June 28 at Waldo Stadium. Beal is one of three players who is entering the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft which will take place on Wednesday, July 11 at 1 p.m. ET.

Beal measured at just over six feet and 178 pounds with a 72.75 wingspan and nine-inch hands at Thursday's Pro Day. He started the afternoon with a 37 inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-6 broad jump.

In his first outdoor event, Beal posted times of 4.4 seconds (wind) and 4.51 in the 40-yard dash. His short shuttle was recorded at 4.09 and his 3-cone drill was clocked at 7.11 seconds.

"He's gotta feel good about the times he put up," said Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester. "This is a measurable event, but the film speaks for itself, and the film was obviously good enough that they're all here to see those measurables and make sure they check out.

"He's a special athlete, and he didn't have any rest today," Lester said. "That's the hardest part about today. At the combine, you do these drills and then have 45 minutes before you do another drill, but he was a one-man show today, so I'm sure he's tired."

All 32 NFL teams were present to watch Beal's workout. Among them was Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey and Brian Gutekunst, general manager of the Green Bay Packers.

Beal earned three letters at Western Michigan and was a Second Team All-Mid-American Conference selection this past season as a junior. He finished 2017 with two interceptions, one forced fumble, 26 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups.
 
There have been 43 players selected in the NFL Supplemental Draft since its inception in 1977. The two other players joining Beal in this year's draft are former Mississippi State DB Brandon Bryant and former Virginia Tech CB Adonis Alexander. The last player chosen was OT Isaiah Battle as a fifth round pick in 2015 by the St. Louis Rams. If selected, Beal would be the first player chosen in the Supplemental Draft from Western Michigan.

WMU had two players taken in the NFL Draft in April – left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor (3^rd round, Pittsburgh) and defensive back Darius Phillips (5^th round, Cincinnati).