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The NFL Combine and postseason all-star football games came and went without a single player from Louisiana Tech participating.

It's the first time in at least a decade the Bulldogs didn't have someone invited to one of those events, but it doesn't mean Tech's pipeline to the NFL has dried up.

Despite the snub, Tech has half a dozen players from last season's 7-4 squad with real NFL aspirations, only now they have a little extra incentive to prove their worth.

"Me and the other guys didn't get a chance to show what we've got," said offensive lineman Aaron Lips. "Nobody got to go and I thought a lot of guys had a legitimate chance. Nobody got a chance to show themselves on that stage."  The cast of the snubbed include Lips, cornerback Tramon Williams, linebackers Byron Santiago and Barry Robertson as well as defensive end Moqut Ruffins.

"I think they're all great players and I think they will have good NFL careers," Tech coach Jack Bicknell said. "I'm not a guy who oversells people and I feel like they all have a chance. (Santiago and Robertson) were two of the best linebackers we've had here and (Williams) is one of the best corners we've had here. I feel like Lips was one of the best we've had here and throw Moqut Ruffins in there and he has a real chance."

Lips, Williams, Ruffins and Santiago were all first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selections this past season. Lips and Santiago are two-time selections, while Robertson, who was deserving of a first-team selection, made the second team.

Despite the apparent oversight, all of those players and others still have NFL aspirations. Lips, Williams, Robertson and defensive lineman Ladarius Love are living in the Houston area working with different trainers, while Santiago is in Mobile, Ala.

Ruffins has remained in Ruston, while quarterback Matt Kubik spent a week in Tampa working with former NFL quarterback Steve DeBerg and is now in Baton Rouge working out with former LSU players Skyler Green, Rudy Niswanger, a former OCS standout, and Kyle Williams and former Ruston High star.

Their goal is to be ready for Tech's Pro Day, which will take place March 24 at Joe Aillet Stadium. There, scouts from most of the 32 NFL teams will descend on Ruston and put the NFL hopefuls through the drills they run at the combine.

For these guys, it will be the Super Bowl of workouts.

"It's huge," Williams' agent Rodney Ardoin said of the Pro Day workouts. "I rival it to a final exam. You have from January to (March) to study for it. That's a big day on the 24th ."

Said Lips: "That's your chance on the 24th. Me and the other guys didn't get that chance to show what we've got. Now we've got one shot to get drafted or get into a camp."

As important as that workout might be, it would be hard to dismiss the body of work these players have amassed during their careers.

Lips was a four-year starter and was an iron man for the Bulldogs, starting all 47 games of his career. In the preseason, Lips was rated by some scouting services as one of the top guard prospects in the country.

However, early in the season, Lips suffered an ankle injury and was never quite the same. He never missed a start, but it clearly affected his play.

Lips also ran a slow 40 time last spring — after spring practice and with a bum ankle — when pro scouts tested the juniors. Now his focus is on proving he has no problems running.

"I didn't run good last spring," said Lips, who is working out with former Tech strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight, who left for Rice in January. "We really didn't coach it too much. There are a lot of different aspects of the college game and you don't have time to work on form running. That's what I'm doing now, working on starts."

Williams is in a similar position. The one-time former walkon developed into a major contributor at Tech. At 6-0, 180 pounds he was big enough to be a force against the run, but excelled as a cover corner.

He started for the better part of two seasons, recording seven career interceptions. This past season he led the nation in passes defensed per game and according to Bicknell was the most complete corner he has coached in seven seasons as the head coach.

However, scouts are questioning his speed as well.

"Nobody knows how fast I really am," said Williams, who graduated with a degree in computer information systems in November. "I ran a 40 time once in college and that was it. That's what I've been told to work on."

Williams, living in Sugar Land, Texas, is working with former Olympic sprint champion Floyd Heard and strength and conditioning coach LeRoy Franklin.

Williams and Ardoin are confident when the time comes, he will erase all doubts about his foot speed.

"(Running) is real important," Williams said. "A lot of people say running is overrated, but if that's what they want to see, then I've got to do it because every scout I talked to liked my film, but they really want to see me run."

Williams and Ardoin both believe Williams will run in the 4.45 area, which if he does — with his size and coverage skills — will earn him a lot of money.

"I think his chances are extraordinary for getting drafted," said Ardoin, who represents Texas quarterback Vince Young, as well as former Tech players John Simon, Jerron Wishom and Jason Olford. "(The scouts) know how good he is, how fast he is and his character is grade A. The scouts are anticipating his speed. In the 40 we anticipate a low 4.4."

Originally published March 24, 2006