At UNC Pro Day, NFL hopefuls show their skills, nurture their dreams

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Under the watchful eye of NFL scouts, these University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill players know that every second, every drill can affect the rest of their lives.

"I mean, it's a lot of pressure, but at the end of the day, it's just football," defensive back Thad Dixon said. "You know, it's the same game we've been playing since we was 5 years old."

At UNC Pro Day on Monday, wide receiver Kobe Paysour is taking in the moment.

"Just growing up, being a kid from North Carolina, It's just like, surreal moment," Paysour said. "You know, I can't even imagine. I always wanted to play in the NFL."

Paysour, a Kings Mountain native, sits on the bubble, with the possibility of being drafted in the later rounds. He knows that this is his opportunity to show off what he can do.

"Just continue to prepare, you know, until April comes, you know, getting in the best shape I can," he said. "Keep my faith in God. That's all I can really do."

Bryant Paysour sat and watched his son like he had since he was a little boy. He's hoping these scouts see the same quality and dedication that he sees in his son.

"Since he was little, you know, coming up, I know he's going to be playing something professional," Bryant Paysour said. "Basketball. Football. He could do it all."

After years of hard work and dedication from not only Kobe but his family, all he can do is show his best as he waits for that April phone call that could change his life.

"There's been a good journey, a good journey. And it's been prosperous the whole way," the elder Paysour said. "I'm more nervous for him. He's not, he's a little bit nervous, too, I bet. But I'm nervous for him."

Tar Heel star Marcus Allen knows that he will be playing on Sundays; the question is, where and how high will he go in the draft? Every round could mean millions of dollars.

"Like, it'd be a blessing to hear my name called in April," said Allen, a defensive back. "I've been playing football since I was 6 years old, so it's just, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to keep playing."

As for Kobe Paysour, who had 35 catches and a touchdown for the Tar Heels last season, he just wants the chance to play in the NFL.

"Just actually getting the opportunity to be here and make my dreams come true is just another, you know, crazy thing that God has put in my life," he said. "So, I'm forever grateful."

It was a tough first year under head coach Bill Belichick, with the Tar Heels going 4-8, but preparing athletes to enter the NFL is another important metric to judge his success.

"Really just my mental, my mental approach to the game, how I approach the week," Dixon said. "You know, the stuff that I'm looking at on tape, you know, as far as studying receivers, quarterbacks, and supporting managers and things like that."

Getting drafted may seem like winning a lottery, except for one key difference -- the lifetime of work these athletes have put in to getting to this point.

"You really don't make too much of it. You know, obviously, you know, your life's on the line, so you changing accordingly," Dixon said. "But at the end of the day, it's just football, man."

The NFL Draft is on April 23.