The Cleveland Browns are hoping that lighting strikes twice with the success of Hinds Community College prospects with aspirations to play in the NFL.

Surely you have not forgotten Super Bowl XLIX and undrafted New England Patriots then rookie defensive back Malcolm Butler and his game winning interception on the goal line. Butler began his collegiate career at a junior college (Hinds) before transferring to West Alabama and eventually to the NFL.

Recently the Browns worked out wide receiver Trevon Chatman from the Campbellsville Tigers. Chatman and Butler were teammates at Hinds Community College.

“Butler and I played at the same Juco (junior college) together,” Chatman said. “When he made that pick (Super Bowl) I almost jumped out of my seat. It motivated me to the extreme point.

“It gave me more confidence.”

This past season Chatman set school records with 77 catches for 1,083 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He also led the Tigers’ in all-purpose yards with 1,400. He is an extremely fluid and precise route-runner (6-foot-1, 187 pounds) with just enough wiggle in his hips to get defensive backs off balance. He was also the schools second receiver all-time to reach the 1,000-yard plateau.

“Ran a 4.4,” Chatman said regarding his recent workout with Cleveland. “Jumped a 38 (vertical) and broad jumped like a 10’3”. I was out there catching balls.”

Very impressive numbers.

Forty-three receivers were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Chatman’s workout numbers with Cleveland are comparable to the top-performers. Amongst the participants at the combine only 18 receivers ran under a 4.5 forty yard dash. Only six receivers had a broad jump longer than 123 inches (two had 123) and only seven receivers had a better vertical jump.

“I got a couple more workouts (NFL teams),” Chatman said. “At the end of this week and next week.”

The Browns recently signed Dwayne Bowe, who previously spent his entire eight-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs.  Josh Gordon is currently serving another year suspension for a failed drug test leaving the position of receiver a real area of need. To Cleveland’s credit they found Taylor Gabriel (undrafted rookie) who became a valuable commodity down the stretch for the offense.

Cleveland’s scouting department is working diligently to find another diamond-in-the-rough bringing in Chatman.

“DeSean Jackson,” Chatman says is the player he may resemble at the next level. “I’m a better route-runner he’s just faster (he jokes).”