As many as seven former Eastern Washington University football players are expected to take part in testing in front of professional scouts at EWU's annual Pro Day on Wednesday, April 6 at EWU. The inside portion of the testing, which begins at 10 a.m., is closed to the public because of space limitations, but the outdoor testing and drills at Roos Field will be open for viewing.
 
For media related inquiries, please email Monica Jaenicke (mjaenicke@ewu.edu).
 
Among those participating are quarterback Eric Barriere, wide receivers Talolo Limu-Jones and Andrew Boston, running backs Dennis Merritt and Tamarick Pierce, and offensive lineman Tristen Taylor. Safety Tamir Hill, who finished his career at Eastern in 2019, will be participating as well.
 
Besides speed, agility and weight-lifting, the tests include height, weight and other measurements. The former players are all hoping for possible professional football opportunities in the weeks ahead leading up to the NFL Draft in late April and subsequent free agent signings.
 
The NFL Draft takes place in Paradise, Nev., and begins on Thursday, April 28 with the first round. Rounds two and three are on April 29, and rounds 4-7 begin on April 30.
 
The group is looking to be one of the first Eagles to be drafted into the NFL since 2017. In 2017, wide receiver Cooper Kupp was drafted in the third round (88th overall) by the Los Angeles Rams to rank as EWU's second-highest draft choice ever, and Samson Ebukam was taken in the fourth round (125th overall) to rank No. 3 on EWU's list. Kendrick Bourne signed a free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Kupp, Ebukam, and Bourne are all entering their sixth seasons in the NFL and have all participated in Super Bowls, with Kupp winning the Super Bowl MVP with the Rams in 2021. Ebukam is now with the 49ers and Bourne plays for the Patriots.
 
Eastern Washington begins Spring practices tomorrow (April 5) at 3 p.m. at Roos Field. The Eagles will practice 15 times, and are set to scrimmage on April 23 at 11 a.m. before the Red-White game on April 30 at 1 p.m.
 
Eagles in the Pros
 
Since 1984, when Eastern became a member of the NCAA Championship Subdivision (FCS), 90 Eastern football players have either signed free agent contracts or have been drafted by National Football League (NFL) or Canadian Football League (CFL) teams. Eleven have been drafted by the NFL and five drafted by the CFL to go along with four NFL draftees between 1965-74. Eastern has also enjoyed a recent influx of players into other existing or now-defunct leagues. They include Arena Football League (AFL) and arenafootball2 (af2), as well as in the United Football League (UFL) and Indoor Football League (IFL). Prior to that, several played in the World League, which became NFL Europa before it folded. The list below shows EWU's current professionals and the team they are currently with.

Professionals in 2021 (most recent team listed)
Los Angeles Rams (NFL) – Cooper Kupp – Wide Receiver – 2013-14-15-16
San Francisco 49ers (NFL) – Samson Ebukam – Outside Linebacker – 2013-14-15-16
San Francisco 49ers (NFL) – Nsimba Webster – Wide Rec. – EWU Letterwinner in 2015-16-17-18
New England Patriots (NFL) – Kendrick Bourne – Wide Receiver – 2013-14-15-16
Buffalo Bills (NFL) – Taiwan Jones – Running Back/Cornerback – 2008-09-10
***San Francisco 49ers (NFL) – Aaron Neary – Offensive Guard – 2012-13-14-15
***Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) – Josh Lewis – Cornerback – 2015-16-17-18
***Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Mitch Fettig – Safety – 2015-16-17-18
British Columbia Lions (CFL) – Victor Gamboa – Cornerback – 2014-15-16-17
Montreal Alouettes (CFL) – Vernon Adams Jr. – Quarterback – 2012-13-14
British Columbia Lions (CFL) – T.J. Lee III – Cornerback – 2010-11-12-13
Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Bo Levi Mitchell – Quarterback – 2010-11
Ottawa Redblacks (CFL) – Matt Nichols – Quarterback – 2006-07-08-09
***Spokane Shock (IFL) – Dehonta Hayes – Safety – 2017-18-19
***Not on roster as of August 11, 2021.