May 4, 2015

BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar seniors Caleb Berry, Joe Okafor and Mark Roberts had to wait till the draft was over but all three received the phone call they were hoping for Saturday evening. The Lamar trio received invites to NFL mini-camps - Berry (quarterback) is headed to Atlanta, Okafor (defensive end) is going to Green Bay and Roberts (receiver) is traveling to Kansas City.

All three players were key in helping Lamar bring back football to Beaumont, but they each took very different paths to southeast Texas. Berry was the final member of head coach Ray Woodard's first signing class, while Okafor transferred to LU after spending his freshman season at Oklahoma State. Roberts signed with Houston after a standout career at West Orange Stark, but transferred back closer to home for his final two seasons.

The school's all-time leading passer, Berry took hold of the team's starting job prior to the start of his junior season. Berry responded to being named the starter by going out and setting single-season school records for completions, passing yards, total offense and touchdown passes. Before his career was over, Berry had completely re-written the LU record books setting new single-game, season and career records in all four categories.

One of Berry's top targets during his record-setting run was Roberts. At 6-3, 195 pounds, Roberts abused the opposing secondary throughout the season. A 2014 third-team All-America selection, Roberts hauled in 46 passes for 1,157 yards and 13 touchdowns on his way to setting a new school record for career touchdown receptions.

"I got the phone call Saturday after the draft," said Roberts. "I felt a sense of relief when I got the call, and it is good to know I've got another shot to go out and play at least one more time. Obviously, everyone wants to get drafted, but I'm going to go in with a chip on my shoulder and try and prove that I can play with the guys who were taken ahead of me."

A 2014 first-team All-Southland selection, Roberts led the SLC and finished the year ranked among the nation's top 11 in receiving yards and touchdown catches.

Okafor anchored the Lamar defense during his three years in Beaumont, despite not being able to settle into a position. A defensive end by trade, Okafor moved to nose tackle during his junior season. After the emergence of then freshman Omar Tebo, Okafor was moved back to end as a senior.

Okafor responded to his return to the edge by finishing among the conference leaders in sacks on his way to honorable mention All-SLC honors. Okafor closed out his career with 68 career tackles, including 32 solo stops, 13.5 tackles for losses and eight sacks.

"Things didn't work out the way I would've hoped, but in the end all anyone can ask for is an opportunity," said Okafor. "When Green Bay called they told me that they were very interested in me but didn't know enough yet to make a decision, and wanted me to work out at their mini-camp. I'm very thankful to have this opportunity and just want to get up there and prove that I'm worthy of a spot on the 90-man roster."

All three athletes played pivotal roles in helping Lamar tie a school record for wins as a four-year institution this past season. The Cardinals posted their first winning record since resurrecting the program, a year that also including its first win over a nationally ranked foe since the program's rebirth.

Okafor leaves Thursday for Green Bay, while Roberts' camp begins May 15th.

-LAMAR-