Nov. 30, 2002 was the last time that Tony Romo and J.R. Taylor would put on an Eastern jersey. They both now look to turn the page and take their talent to the professional level.

“It just hit me that I will never play for Eastern again because it was a great chapter in my life,” Romo said.

“I’ve had a lot of good memories (at Eastern), and it’s been such a good experience,” Taylor said.

Both of these record-breaking offensive players are now officially prospects for next April’s NFL Draft.

Just last week, Romo became the first player in conference history to win three consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year awards.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder from Burlington, Wis. completed 237-of-363 passes for 2,950 yards and threw for an OVC record 33 touchdowns in leading the Panthers to a share of their second-straight league title.

Along with another handful of candidates, Romo will be paying attention to the announcement of the Walter Payton award in the next couple of days.

“If I were to win (the Walter Payton award), it would be a great honor not only for me but for Eastern’s entire program,” Romo said.

Romo has already been selected to a Bowl game held in Florida for prospects declaring for the draft.

“I’ll be working out in Florida and preparing with strength and conditioning coaches that work with Olympic athletes,” Romo said.

Romo will attend all-star bowl games like the Senior Bowl because the practice is where the scouts actually evaluate the players.

“The practices are more important than the game because they can see where I’m at without having to include somebody else’s mistake,” Romo said.

Romo and Taylor will both be participating in the NFL combine for college prospects at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

“I will most likely be attending the combine,” Romo said.

“I will most definitely be going to the combine because of the small school I attended; it does provide a disadvantage,” Taylor said.

The first task for Romo will be the selection of representation, and he is expected to announce his decision in the next couple of days.

“It’s been really crazy around here because they are calling three to five times a day to keep in touch,” Romo said. “I hope to make a decision pretty soon.”

Romo has narrowed down the list to his choice of two agencies. The first is the IMG corporation, which represents Tiger Woods, and the other consideration is Buzz Cook, who is the agent for NFL stars like Brett Favre, Randy Moss and Steve McNair.

Romo has aspirations of being a high picked player when his name is called.

“I’m striving to go in the first three rounds because I have been hearing scouts like my performances against Hawaii and Kansas State,” Romo said.

J.R. Taylor has already selected an agent and will be meeting with him tomorrow in Chicago to discuss what off-season training will be recommended for the 6-foot-1, 221-pound tailback.

“I may not play in all of the all-star bowl games possible because of the possibility of getting injured, but it depends,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s dreams on draft day may be a little lower than Romo’s, but he is excited about the possibility of impressing NFL scouts at the combine and other workouts.

“I think that being able to catch the ball and my size are what sets me apart, but I think they will be shocked at my speed,” Taylor said.

Come April, when Gene Washington steps to the podium, all of the Charleston area will be hoping that these two Eastern products are called to join the NFL. One professional scout already thinks Romo will get that call.

“He seems like a guy that has the tools to make it in this league,” New York Giants offensive coordinator Sean Payton said in a prior interview. “I’ve definitely heard that he’s a potential NFL player.”