The last time James Madison fans saw Rodney Landers, he was standing hobbled on the sideline with an ankle injury as the Dukes lost to Montana in the FCS Semifinals.

"I'm slowly getting back into the flow of things," says Landers, who admits he's still not back to 100 percent. "And I'm excited about my opportunity to pursue the next level."

Landers is one of a handful of former Dukes getting ready for that opportunity by working out four times a week with strength and conditioning coach Jim Durning.

"Just the intensity level, I think, is through the roof right now," says Landers of the workouts, which consist of weightlifting in the morning and running in the afternoon.

"We're on this other level right now, trying to get to the NFL," says cornerback Evan McCullough. "It seems like he's pushing us a little harder."

"This is a physical and mental thing," admits safety Marcus Haywood. "You've got to believe in yourself, and have the motivation to come out here each day and keep working hard."

For these guys, the motivation is obvious.

"Basically just trying to make it," says offensive lineman Terrence Apted. "That's probably the biggest thing, because it could take care of a lot of things right now."

"That's every athlete's dream, of playing in the NFL, or playing at some pro level," Haywood says. "That one day is all that matters to me right now."

"That one day" is March 18 when NFL scouts will visit campus for JMU's annual Pro Day.

"They've been able to watch some of our film, and they've been to some of our games," says Landers. "But in a sense, I mean, this is the interview. This is the tryout. And for a lot of teams, it's the first time they get to see you in person."

"It's basically a do-or-die situation," says Haywood. "Just coming out and performing to the best of your ability."

For Landers, there's the added pressure of a position switch. A quarterback in college, he says NFL teams have talked to him about playing running back, receiver, even safety on defense.

"On that level, there are so many great players out there, you can't really be choosy," says Landers. "And if I'm blessed to get the opportunity to play, then I'll take full advantage of it."