NFL coaches and scouts filled The University of Alabama’s indoor practice facility Wednesday to observe the group of Crimson Tide football players entering the 2014 NFL Draft.

The former Alabama players participated in various drills, including the 40-yard dash and bench press, during the team’s Pro Day.

“This is an exciting day,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “It’s [also] a sad day in a way because you have such great relationships with a lot of these players and you hate to see them leave, and you certainly do appreciate the great job that they’ve done in representing the program while they were here. But you’re also extremely excited and happy for them to be able to have an opportunity to fulfill their dreams of playing in the National Football League.”

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Three NFL head coaches were in attendance: New Orleans’ Sean Payton, Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis and Philadelphia’s Chip Kelly.

Former Crimson Tide players who are currently in the NFL also looked on as the new crop of potential pros put on a show for the scouts. Among them were Cincinnati’s Dre Kirkpatrick, Tampa Bay’s Mark Barron and Rolando McClain, who recently retired from the Baltimore Ravens.

Saban said the big turnout from the league is great for the players participating in drills.

“To get this kind of interest and representation from the league to give our players the opportunity [to play in the NFL] is certainly what we like for each one of our players to have,” Saban said.

Wednesday was a chance for the former members of the Crimson Tide to prove themselves as individual players.

“It felt good to work on my game and focus on myself,” quarterback AJ McCarron said. “I felt like overall it was a good day.”

Defensive lineman Jeoffrey Pagan, safety Vinnie Sunseri and offensive lineman Anthony Steen did not participate in any drills due to injury.

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The other former Crimson Tide stars were drenched in sweat after their workouts with the NFL scouts.

“I got a little tired, but at the end of the day, most of the scouts were impressed,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said. “Now’s all about getting our private workouts and going to different organizations and showing them my football knowledge.”

Alabama’s players are broadcast every week, so the scouts are at least familiar with their abilities before stepping foot in Tuscaloosa. Saban is known for being one of the best coaches in college football at grooming players for the professional level.

Still, the athletes wanted to leave an impression with the coaches and scouts in attendance of Wednesday’s Pro Day.

“I know they watched a lot of film, but I just wanted to show them in person what I can do,” wide receiver Kevin Norwood said. “I gave it my best, I gave it my all, and hopefully they like it.”

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