May 4, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After a stellar career at Jacksonville University, defensive back Bernard Opoku hopes to keep playing football in Jacksonville.

On Thursday, he was invited to the Jacksonville Jaguars mini-camp from May 12 to 14 as a workout player.

"I'm excited because this gets my foot in the door," Opoku said. "It has been a long process coming from JU, but I hope to open the door for guys coming behind me."

Opoku has already worked out with several of the Jaguars coaches on four occasions this spring and has made enough of an impression to get invited to the mini-camp.

"It's a great opportunity for Bernard to show his unbelievable football skills," said JU head coach Steve Gilbert. "He has trained since the end of our season non-stop to get ready for this and he'll make the best of this opportunity."

Opoku is following in the footsteps of former Dolphins Micah Ross and Linj Shell in getting into the NFL. Ross has played in the NFL for four seasons and Shell was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and allocated to NFL Europe for the 2005 season.

In his senior season, Opoku was named first team all-Pioneer Football League while being second on the team in tackles with 53. He had a team-high two interceptions and five breakups.