March 7, 2011

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham University football program will host its annual Pro Day on Tuesday, March 8th, on the Rose Hill campus as six Rams will display their talents to various professional scouts. A total of 28 players from 14 different schools will be present.

"We are pleased to be able to host a pro day again this year and give some players a chance to perform for the scouts," said Fordham head coach Tom Masella. "It's great that so many players from so many different schools will have the opportunity to work out and have chance to advance to the next level."

This will be the second straight year that Fordham has hosted a pro day with last year's highlighted by quarterback John Skelton, who was taken in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, and offensive lineman Andrew Tyshovnytsky, who signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts following the draft.

Fordham seniors who will be looked at this year include tight end Stephen Skelton, John's younger brother, and defensive back Isa Abdul-Quddus. Both players played in the annual Texas vs. The Nation All-Star game last month. Other Ram seniors who will compete are running back Xavier Martin, wide receiver David Moore, offensive lineman Adnan Vandyck and defensive lineman Michael Hickman. Additionally, running back Darryl Whiting and linebacker Andre Delaire will have their Junior Day on Tuesday.

Stephen Skelton completed his senior year at Fordham as one of the most prolific tight ends in school history. He caught 42 passes or 443 yards (10.5 yards/reception) and three touchdowns this year, all second best on the team. Skelton tied for eighth in the Patriot League is receptions per game (3.8).

Skelton emerged as a pass-catching tight end in 2009, hauling in 63 passes from his brother John who played for the Arizona Cardinals this year, for 634 yards and six touchdowns. The 63 receptions were the most all-time for a Fordham tight end and the fifth best total in school history. Skelton had two 100-yard receiving games that fall, a ten-reception, career-high 138-yard game against Old Dominion on October 3rd and a career-high 13-catch, 102 yard contest against Holy Cross on October 31st. Skelton ranked fourth in the Patriot League in receptions per game (5.7), 31st in the NCAA FCS, and ninth in the conference in and 81st in the NCAA receiving yards per game (57.6).

Over his career, Skelton recorded 127 receptions for 1,313 yards and ten touchdowns, all career-highs for a Fordham tight end. He is seventh on the school's all-time receptions list and tied for eighth in career touchdown receptions.

Abdul-Quddus, who was named Second Team Preseason All-Patriot League by Phil Steele's College Football Preview, closed out his Fordham career leading the 2010 squad with 78 tackles, 56 of those solo, and he recorded six pass breakups and forced three fumbles. He tied for the Patriot League lead in forced fumbles/game (0.27) and was eleventh in the League in tackles/game (7.1).

Over his career, Abdul-Quddus, who was a two-year starter in the defensive backfield, had 193 total tackles, 134 solo, including 12 for loss and three sacks. He also amassed ten pass deflections and three interceptions. Abdul-Quddus tied a school record with three interceptions in a game at Cornell in 2009.

Martin rushed for 452 yards on 113 carries (4.0 yards/rush) with four touchdowns and he caught 16 passes for 169 yards (10.6 yards/reception) last year in a season that was shortened due to an injury. He also returned nine kickoffs for 178 yards (19.8 average).

Over the past four years, Martin gained 2,990 yards on 643 attempts (4.7 yards/rush) with 25 touchdowns. He is third on the Fordham all-time rushing yards and rushing attempts lists and fifth on the career rushing touchdowns list. Martin also has 35 career receptions for 385 yards (11.0 yards/catch) and returned 38 kickoffs for 779 yards (20.5 average).

Moore caught 27 passes for 321 yards (11.9 yards/reception) and two touchdowns in 2010 for the Rams, third best on the squad. He also returned 12 punts for 101 yards (8.4 average).

In four years in the Maroon and White, Moore caught 120 passes for 1,500 yards (12.5 yards/catch) and 13 touchdowns. He sits in eighth place on both the Fordham career receiving yards and career receptions list.

Vandyck was a two-year starter on the offensive line for the Rams, starting all eleven games at left tackle this past fall, while Hickman appeared in all eleven games this year, making ten tackles, seven solo, including one sack.

The day will start at 11:00 AM as the players check in at the Beryl and John Lyons Football Locker Room. At 11:30 they will begin with physical measurements and then hit the Walsh Athletic Center for the 225 pound bench press rep test.

The groups then move to the Lombardi Center where each athlete will be timed in the 40-yard dash and be measured in both the vertical and broad jump.