SPRINGFIELD -- A select handful of former Missouri State University football players will have the opportunity to impress National Football League scouts and team personnel on Wednesday, March 22 when they participate in a series of speed, agility and strength tests at MSU's annual Pro Day at Robert W. Plaster Stadium.

The NFL Pro Day series puts NFL staffs on the road throughout the month of March to scout talent up close and personal on college campuses. The evaluative events give NFL Combine participants an opportunity to improve their times and marks, while providing a venue for under-the-radar players to demonstrate their skills and make a name for themselves prior to the Draft (April 27-29) and subsequent free agent signings.

The Bears hope All-America linebacker Dylan Cole, as well as offensive lineman Riley Shantz, wide receiver LeMarcus Stewart and All-MVFC receiver Zac Hoover can make favorable impressions on the NFL scouts in attendance.

After private testing and weight-room skill portions of the evaluations early Wednesday, the Pro Day festivities will move outdoors for various on-field metrics.

The Bears held their inaugural Pro Day in 2010 when All-America tight end Clay Harbor improved on his NFL Combine time in the 40-yard dash and parlayed his on-campus performance into a fourth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2011, offensive lineman David Arkin upped his stock at Pro Day and jumped to a fourth-round selection by the Dallas Cowboys on draft day. Other former Bears -- Kolby Hurt (Saints), Jake Duron (Jets), Jermaine Saffold (Browns), Chris Douglas (Bills), Randy Richards (Chargers), Gannon Sinclair (Bears) and Anthony Grady (Jets) -- all turned enough heads at Plaster Stadium over the last five years to garner NFL free agent contracts with their respective clubs.

Wednesday's event is closed to the public. Coverage of the event will be available on MissouriStateBears.com and the MSU football Twitter page @MoStateFootball.