HUNTINGTON -- Doug Legursky is providing National Football League scouts with what they want.
Legursky, a four-season starting center at Marshall, showed his versatility by primarily playing at the guard position Saturday in the Hula Bowl all-star game. The Beckley native played both spots during his Thundering Herd career and is working on adding long snapper skills to his resume.
"It's always better to be more versatile," Legursky said. "They don't need any more film on me at center. I mostly played at guard and it felt good. It felt real natural."
Legursky teamed with fellow Marshall quarterback Bernard Morris and Herd wideout Marcus Fitzgerald in Hawaii, the first step in an extensive process leading to the NFL Draft. The Hula Bowl experience was about much more than the Saturday afternoon game, Legursky said.
"A lot of it was practice, too," Legursky said. "They wanted you to perform in game situations and during practice they want to see what your mentality is.
"And they were around the hotels, seeing how you do in meetings. It's a little bit stressful knowing you're always being watched."
Keeping with the norm, scouts offered minimal feedback prior to and following the Hula Bowl. From Legursky's perspective, Marshall's trio performed well.
"Bernie really took control of the huddle and Marcus was really vocal, keeping the huddle going," Legursky said. "I'm more of a lead-by-example guy."
Legursky has signed with Huntington agent Dave Rich and will train locally with several other clients. West Virginia University defensive lineman Keilen Dykes and Louisville wideout Harry Douglas also have signed with Rich.
"I'm 100 percent focused right now," Legursky said. "Last week was like a business trip and I'm getting right back to working out (today). I'm working with (Marshall strength and conditioning coach) Mike Cochran and I can work one on one with Keilen."
Next up for Legursky are Marshall pro days, when scouts descend on Joan C. Edwards Stadium for various tests. He'll audition individually for teams at their sites as well, and ideally will receive an NFL Combine invitation.
Rich projects Legursky as a "second day" draft selection, expecting his client's name to be called between the third and seventh rounds. In order to further his draft status, Legursky plans to call on former Herd long snappers who graduated to the NFL -- most notably Mike Bartrum -- for instruction.
Particularly concerning late-round picks or free agent signees, landing with the right team where a realistic opportunity exists proves pivotal. Former Marshall tailback Ahmad Bradshaw served evidence this season; he was selected in the 2007 draft's final round but found a niche with the New York Giants, who will visit Green Bay Sunday for a Super Bowl berth.
"I think he's a guy who will be taken on the second day and that team will be thrilled to have him," Rich said.
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