Florida A&M offensive lineman Ashton Grable said stepping onto the field in front of NFL scouts was more than just another workout — it was a moment years in the making.
“For me, it was just another chance to go out there and show what I can do in front of a lot of scouts,” Grable told HBCU Sports in a phone interview. “I’m just glad I got an opportunity to do that.”
The two-time All-SWAC standout joined fellow HBCU stars earlier this month to perform drills and positional work at the 2026 HBCU Showcase and International Player Pathway Pro Day in Ashburn, Virginia.
Though not the official NFL Combine, Grable said the setup and intensity felt every bit as professional, and “every team you could think of was there.”
“We did the 40 (yard dash), the bench (press), broad jump, three-cone drill — everything you’d see at the combine or a pro day,” he said. “Then we went into position work with scouts watching. You could tell they were really paying attention.”
While he hasn’t yet received direct feedback from teams about his performance, Grable said one team that met with him days earlier at FAMU’s pro day told him they were impressed. “They said I did good at my pro day,” he said. “That’s why they interviewed me again at the event.”
HBCU Showcase invite carried extra meaning
“Coming from a small school (Florida A&M), you don’t get opportunities like that too often,” he said. “Once I got the invite, I told myself I had to be at my best.”
The NFL’s investment in HBCU scouting — through events like the HBCU Legacy Bowl, HBCU Combine and the latest pre-NFL Draft event — isn’t lost on the FAMU lineman.
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“It’s a great opportunity because we’re not always in front of a lot of people’s eyes,” Grable said. “The guys that came before us in the league laid the foundation for this. At one point, the Legacy Bowl and Showcase weren’t even a thing. I take my hat off to those guys for opening that door.”
Grable said knowing that multiple NFL teams have shown interest has only strengthened his belief that he belongs at the next level.
“It’s a crazy feeling because a few years ago, I didn’t even know if I had a shot,” he said. “Now teams are coming to my practices, games, and pro day. It’s just wild to see how far I’ve come.”
NFL dream within reach
Grable credits the Florida A&M program — and the trailblazers who came before him — for putting him in this position.
“FAMU’s helped me a lot,” he said. “We’ve got guys in the league right now — Terrell Jennings, Isaiah Land, Marquise Bell, Xavier Smith. Scouts are coming back now because they know what kind of talent we have here. I just thank those guys for making it easier for me.”
For Grable, who once entered college simply hoping to earn playing time, the chance to chase an NFL dream now feels within reach.
“It feels amazing because I know how much work I’ve put in,” he said. “It’s been a full-circle moment — staying down, waiting my turn, and now finally getting my shot.”
