On Friday March 23rd, on the damp turf at Fred G Hughes Stadium, Allen Barbre went through what was possibly the most important workout of his life.

Barbre, the All-American offensive lineman and NFL draft hopeful, was put through drills by coaches and scouts from the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Kansas City Chiefs.

“I think I did pretty well,” said Barbre of the training session. “They sort of rushed me through it just to see how I would handle it.”

Which team will snag Barbre (and when) come draft weekend remains a mystery.

“I don’t know where I am going to be taken I am just going to take my chances where I get them,” said Barbre

Barbre ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.84 seconds) of all offensive linemen at the NFL combine and was a d2football.com pro hopeful pick. In 2006, Barbre earned six preseason and postseason honors including Associated Press Little All-America first team, which is awarded to outstanding players that do not compete in Division I. Barbre was a Coaches All-American, a Daktronics All-Southwest Region first-team selection, and was the only offensive player named a unanimous All-MIAA first team includes Pittsburg State’s Germaine Race, who was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II Heisman).

In addition to playing on the offensive line, Barbre was also active on special teams, recording eight tackles on punt coverage.

Historically, there have been four Lions to go on to play in the NFL, only two of which were drafted. In 1997 the Lions sent two players to the NFL. Richard Jordan, who was drafted in the seventh round by the Detroit Lions was the last Missouri Southern first team All-American as well as the last drafted. James Thrash, a wide receiver, was signed by the Washington Redskins as a free agent. Both were special teams standouts.

The most notable Lion in the professional ranks is All-Pro wide receiver Rod Smith of the Denver Broncos. Smith was signed as a free agent in 1994 and since then has led the Broncos in receiving.

The future for Allen Barbre looks bright. Every kid on the playground says that they will be in the NFL when they grow up. Very few actually do and as they say in the business, “It won’t be long before we see him doing it on Sundays.”