BEAUMONT — Lamar’s all-time leading receiver knows his football playing days are over.
Reggie Begelton worked out for two teams after the NFL Draft and both teams decided to not sign the former Cardinals receiver.
He first went to Atlanta and then traveled to Oakland. He has heard nothing back from either team.
“It looks like my football career is over,” Begelton said on Wednesday.
Do not start to feel too sorry for Begelton. The Beaumont native is already has a degree in business from Lamar and starts classes next week to get a degree in chemical engineering.
Begelton started out wanting to major in chemical engineering. Lamar is known for its engineering program but the workload was too much while also playing football.
“I am able to complete it now,” Begelton said.
Begelton leaves the Lamar program as the all-time leader in receptions (227), receiving yards (2,435) and second in touchdown receptions (20), only one back of former All-American Mark Roberts.
Begelton also owns the school’s top mark for receptions in a game, which came in 2013 against Stephen F. Austin when he grabbed 18 catches. He is seventh all-time with nearly 2,500 all-purpose yards and finished two receptions shy of becoming the Southland Conference’s all-time leader in catches.
“I know I have a very successful career,” Begelton said. “I have learned there are a lot of politics in football. It is just like a business. It is sometimes hard to get into a big corporation.”
He added the workout in Oakland went great in his mind.
“They had guys already in mind they wanted to sign,” Begelton said. “That is their choice and they are the ones making that decision. You cannot make the decision for them no matter how well you think you performed.”
Begelton’s transition away from football has been smooth so far. He has family in Southeast Texas to help support his move away from the field.
“I am now ready to grow up,” Begelton said with a laugh. “I feel very blessed to have done what I did in my career. I would never dreamed in my freshman and sophomore years I would have made such an impact my final two seasons. You have to give all the glory to God. I am very appreciative of Coach (Ray) Woodard. He took a chance on me and we remain close.”
Begelton said he plans to stay in shape just in case a door opens in the NFL he does not see at this time.
He also would not shy away from being a graduate assistant for Lamar.
“Coach Woodard knows I am one of those players who plays the game because I love the game,” Begelton said. “I would always do anything I can to help the team. I know the young guys look up to me and hopefully would listen to anything I said to help them learn.”
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Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe