Kentucky outside linebacker TraVaughn Paschal recently learned that his petition for another year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA under the delayed enrollment rule.
Now, the Arundel graduate is pursuing an NFL career after exhausting his eligibility for the Wildcats and has been invited to the Ravens' local prospect day today. Paschal attended Fork Union Military Academy in 2009 and 2010 after going to Arundel and before enrolling at Kentucky.
"I just got the news that the NCAA isn't approving another year for me, so I just recently declared for the draft," Paschal told The Baltimore Sun. "That's why I don't have an agent."
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Odenton native plans to perform defensive end and outside linebacker drills today.
"I'm very excited to work out for the Ravens," Paschal said. "It's always been a dream, growing up a fan of the local teams. It's just a dream of mine to play close to home."
Paschal tore his abdomen and had ankle surgery during his time at Kentucky, but is healthy now.
Paschal had 22 tackles, one for a loss and a sack last season.
At his Pro Day workout, Paschal ran the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds, had a 32-inch vertical leap and a 10-8 broad jump.
Paschal moved to outside linebacker after playing defensive end his first two years at Kentucky.
"I can play just about any position," Paschal said. "I played defenisve end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker at Kentucky. I just want to show the Ravens that I can movfe.
Paschal didn't get recruited out of Arundel after breaking his arm early in his senior year. So, he enrolled at Fork Union to get more attention from recruiters.
Paschal had 39 tackles as a junior, four for losses, one sack and one forced fumble.
At Arundel, Paschal had several sacks as a senior before he broke his arm and missed the remainder of the season playing for coach Chuck Markiewicz.
"We knew he was a special player," Markiewicz said. "His injury kept everyone else from knowing how special he was."
Paschal was also on the track and field team and was an all-county high jumper who also did the long jump and triple jump.
"I only played two games my senior year because of the broken arm," Paschal said. "I've stayed in touch with coasch Markiewicz. He's a really nice guy, so we stay in touch. I'm just excited about going to the NFL. I feel like it's time for me to open the next chapter in my life."
awilson@baltsun.com
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