ARCATA — Lessons learned as children must often be ignored or even reversed as adults. As an example, showing off in front of your friends and constantly seeking attention is discouraged by most parents, but when it comes time to pursue your goals and dreams, that's exactly what former Humboldt State football players Taylor Boggs, Andrew Iupati and Lyndon Rowells must do.

The trio's first opportunity to gain attention from NFL coaches occurred during rookie minicamps held during the weekend. Invited to the Buffalo Bills tryout, Boggs is getting a second chance after his efforts to make the New York Jets last year were cut short because of a knee injury. Iupati, an outstanding defensive lineman on last year's HSU championship team, was looked at by the San Francisco 49ers. Rowells, Humboldt State's record-setting running back, has already signed a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers, and was among rookies getting a chance to strut their stuff during the weekend.

Along with drafted rookies and undrafted free agents currently under contract, the Bills' coaches assessed 21 other invited players, including Boggs, during their rookie minicamp. With 88 players already on Buffalo's offseason roster, only two spots remain to be filled before reaching the mandated 90-player limit.

During his post-camp interviews, Bills' head coach Chan Gailey expressed brief opinions on drafted players, but didn't go into an assessment of specific invitees.

"(I was) impressed with some and not impressed with others," Gailey said. "But that's the way it is. You're trying to find that out. You can watch them run, jump and change direction but you don't know their mental capacity. That's the one thing you don't know off film, so you're trying to get a good gauge of that going into this weekend."

Among the three former Jacks, Iupati received the most press during his workout opportunities. SBNation writer Dylan DeSimone said Iupati's "competitiveness and toughness could help him tremendously in camp. He won't be pushing any starters for time, but the reserves should have their eye on Andrew Iupati."

Another article provided an in-depth look at the former Jack and added comparisons to Iupati's brother, Mike, who is a standout offensive lineman with San Francisco.

Rowells was one of 56 players evaluated during the Panthers' rookie camp. With the Panthers already at the 90-player offseason limit, the Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America team selection will compete with that entire group in hopes of replacing players already on the roster.

"It was a good three days for us," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "Now that we've gotten a good look at these guys, we'll take the next couple of days and evaluate. If we think anybody will help us, we'll sign them."

Rowells himself answered inquiries from fans and friends with the following tweet: "Rookie camp was kinda up and down. It's all a learning process. I just need to pick it up this off season."