National Football League

Tough road for sons of Montana, Carter

Published Apr. 6, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

Nate Montana and Duron Carter are still trying to follow in the footsteps of their famous fathers.

The sons of Pro Football Hall of Fame members Joe Montana and Cris Carter are among 213 NFL prospects set to participate Sunday and Monday in a “Super Regional” pre-draft workout at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

The event, which was first held in 2012, is designed to showcase players who weren’t invited to February’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis but are considered to have pro potential. The league invited players who participated in regional combines held around the country earlier this year.

Besides having football bloodlines in common, Montana and Carter also experienced tumultuous college careers.

Nate Montana began as a Notre Dame quarterback like his father in the 1970s. He later transferred to the University of Montana where he played in eight games before changing schools again to Division II West Virginia Wesleyan.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Montana started nine games for the Bobcats last season. He led the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in passing yards (2,480) and touchdowns (19).

Carter also played the same position and attended the same college (Ohio State) as his father. Carter, though, struggled with academics and transferred to Coffeyville Junior College in Kansas. After notching 44 catches for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns, Carter left for the University of Alabama but never played because of more academic eligibility issues. Carter transferred again to Florida Atlantic University but never played in 2012 before leaving the team in December.

Other notable players participating in the Super Regional include quarterbacks Robert Marve (Purdue) and Alex Carder (Western Michigan) as well as standouts from non-BCS schools like running back Jordan Roberts (Charleston, W.V.), wide receiver Shjaun Richardson (Emporia State) and outside linebacker Brandon Copeland (Penn). There are two tryout players from Canadian colleges as well.

Few of the participants are expected to get selected when the draft is held April 25 to 27 in New York City. However, the Super Regional did help the NFL unearth some talent in 2012. The National Football Post reported that there were 83 players signed as college free agents last season with four others being drafted in the sixth round. Of those 87 players, 14 finished their rookie seasons on the 53-man roster and another 14 were on practice squads.

The St. Louis Rams benefitted most from the 2012 Super Regional. Both of their specialists (kicker Greg Zuerlein and punter Johnny Hekker) are products of the event.