Before NFL Draft, Rutgers Star Bo Melton To Visit Morris County Card Show

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Bo Melton has waited years for the moment that could arrive in a few weeks: hearing his name called at the NFL Draft. But before that, the former Rutgers football player will head to Parsippany to meet fans at the Morris County Card Show.

Life for an NFL prospect can get hectic. Since Melton finished his senior campaign with the Scarlet Knights after last season, the wide receiver embarked on the same journey hundreds of NFL hopefuls enter each year. After training in Florida, networking with athletes and coaches and enduring the gamut of tests that draft prospects endure, a card show is a welcome change of pace.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Parsippany (909 Parsippany Blvd.). Melton is set to appear from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for autographs and photos with kids and fans.

"I always collected cards, so just being able to go there and sign autographs for kids and Rutgers fans is a humbling experience," Melton told Patch. "I just feel like it’s an amazing opportunity — signing autographs, taking pictures and getting to meet people."

Melton comes from an athletic family that loves their sports. Parents Gary and Vicky played football and basketball, respectively, for Rutgers in the late 80s and early 90s. His parents and "pop pop" always collected cards and got the family involved.

The Mays Landing native's father also brought football into the life of Melton and his brothers, who played the game together and became passionate about the sport. Older brother Gary Jr. played for Delaware State, and younger brother Max has entered his sophomore year as a Rutgers cornerback.

Melton now has a chance to get to the next level. He's smaller than the typical NFL wideout at 5 feet, 11 inches and 195 pounds. But Melton's other attributes, including speed, give Rutgers a chance at producing an NFL draftee for the first time since 2019.

The pro-football hopeful already withstood one of the NFL's biggest tests for draft prospects: the 40-yard dash. Milliseconds on an athlete's 40 time can make or break their draft position or sometimes determine whether they get drafted at all.

But that didn't hold Melton back. He stepped up to the starting line at last month's NFL Combine and flourished. Melton ran the 40 in 4.34 seconds, making him one of eight wide receivers at the combine with sub-4.4-second times.

"I’ve watched it on television and YouTube many times," Melton said of the combine's 40-yard dash. "That moment right there, I knew I was going to be able to run fast just by training and knowing I’m a fast guy."

Melton is a Jersey guy through and through, living in the Garden State his entire life. But getting drafted between April 28 and 30 could take him away from the state he's called home. But whatever happens during draft weekend, Melton says he's ready.

"Just being a Jersey guy, I love always being able to have that in my back pocket," Melton said. "I love Jersey. I’ve been training in Florida, so I’m comfortable being in different places, and I have a lot of family all around the world. I’m just grateful for any opportunity that comes my way."

Find more info on the Morris County Card Show.

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