Auburn's Pro Day is a yearly opportunity for the Tigers' seniors and declared juniors to showcase their talents in front of an audience of professional scouts.
But for one senior, this Pro Day was an opportunity for redemption and reconciliation.
Auburn's leading tackler in 2012, Demetruce McNeal was dismissed from the Auburn football team in August 2013 after being arrested and charged with second-degree possession of marijuana.
"My biggest thing when I was coming here was that I wanted all the scouts and everyone to know who Demetruce McNeal is," McNeal said. "I'm a good kid and I've never been in any trouble with the law except for when that went down here and I got kicked off, but even though that happened, I was still innocent."
The 6-foot-2 defensive back from College Park, Ga. maintains his innocence in the situation to this day.
"I just want all the scouts and everyone to know that my name is cleared and I had nothing to do with it," McNeal said. "Things happen for a reason, I feel that God let that happen for a reason."
At the time, McNeal said head coach Gus Malzahn wouldn't listen to his pleas of innocence.
"I really told him, 'Coach, I'm innocent. I didn't do anything. Can you please look into it?"' McNeal said. "It went how it went and he didn't really look into it.
"He made his decision and I had to go with what he decided. No hard feelings though, he's still my coach."
The arrest wasn't the first time McNeal had been under criticism during his tenure at Auburn.
McNeal missed several spring practices before the 2013 season due to "personal issues" and was scrutinized by fans for pictures he took of himself with a handgun and a wad of money.
That lifestyle, McNeal said, is a thing of the past.
"All I want to do is play football, all the rapping and the glamour that's done," McNeal said. "I just want to play football."
Following his dismissal, McNeal transferred to West Alabama where he starred in the defensive backfield, leading the Tigers in tackles and interceptions.
The transition to life at a smaller school wasn't an easy one for the former Auburn starter though.
"When I got kicked off, I broke down crying and I really thought it was the end of my career," McNeal said. "I had lost my scholarship and been downgraded from Division 1, but when I got there those guys welcomed me with open arms."
Watching his former teammates storm through the SEC to the BCS National Championship Game only added to the difficulty.
"When they were in the national championship, all I could say was 'I'm supposed to be there with my guys, man,'" McNeal said. "But no hard feelings, I still love this team. I love those guys, I went through thick and thin with them for three hard years."
Seeing his teammates' success and questions on the strength of his character have driven McNeal to prove to others that he is not a troublemaker.
"I had a chip on my shoulder because when all the scouts came down I had to show these guys who I really was," McNeal said. "Everybody had a red flag about my character, but I've never had a character issue. I'm easy to get along with."
According to Malzahn, the decision to bring McNeal back for Auburn's Pro Day was based off his three years of dedication to a program he loves.
"He gave three good years to the program, and it was unfortunate what happened, but I just felt like I needed to give him a chance to represent himself in front of a lot of people," Malzahn said.
McNeal's relationship with the coach who dismissed him remains strong as McNeal prepares for the next stage of his football career.
"Me and Malzahn we cool, we good," McNeal said. "I'm an Auburn Tiger at heart, man. When I get drafted, they're going to say 'Demetruce McNeal from Auburn,' not that I'm from West Alabama."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.