Lionel Vital

Lionel Vital, in his 3rd year as the Ravens’ national scout, covers schools across the country. Vital was honored last spring with the inaugural Fritz Pollard Alliance Scouting Award which is given to the top African American scout each in the AFC and NFC. Nominated by 5 AFC teams, Vital received the award in February 2007. Vital re-joined the Ravens in 2005 after spending 5 years with the New England Patriots as their assistant director of college scouting. Vital’s 1st stint in Baltimore was the team’s inaugural year (1996).

2005-07: (with Baltimore) Rejoined the Ravens as a national scout and covers the entire country along with fellow national scout Joe Hortiz...Ravens standout draft pick S Dawan Landry (5th round, Georgia Tech), who tied a Ravens’ rookie record and led all NFL rookies with 5 INTs in 2006, was scouted by Vital...Vital is responsible each year for giving a report on all D-linemen considered “draftable” by the Ravens.

2000-04: (with New England) 2001-04: Was the team’s assistant director of college scouting... Worked closely with Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli and scouting director Thomas Dimitroff. 2000: Joined the Patriots as their national college scout.

1997-99: (with New York Jets) Reunited with head coach Bill Belichick and spent 3 seasons as a talent scout, covering the Southeast region.

1996: (with Baltimore) Moved with the team to Baltimore and spent the Ravens’ inaugural season as a college scout.

1991-1995: (with Cleveland) Entered the NFL scouting ranks after being hired by head coach Bill Belichick as a talent scout...Spent 5 years with the club before it moved to Baltimore.

1990-1991: (with Montreal Machine) Was the director of player personnel for the Montreal Machine in the World League of American Football (1990-91).

NFL PLAYER: Vital was drafted by the Washington Redskins as a RB in the 7th round of the 1985 NFL draft...Missed his rookie season (injury) and was waived in 1986...In 1987, he re-signed with Washington and appeared in 3 games, rushing for 346 yards and 2 TDs on just 80 carries (4.3 avg.)...Signed with Buffalo after being released by the Redskins later in the ‘87 season...Following the season, he signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox as an outfielder, but soon returned to the NFL to pursue his football career...Enjoyed a short stint with the Detroit Lions (1988) before completing his playing career with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the CFL from 1989-90.

COLLEGE: Majored in criminal justice at Nicholls State, where he established a then-single-season school rushing record (776 yards in 1983).

PERSONAL: Was an All-District football player at Loreauville (LA) HS...Also earned All-State honors as an outfielder in baseball...Resides in Loreauville, LA.

NFL/PRO PLAYER EXPERIENCE: 1985, 1987 (Washington Redskins); 1987 (Buffalo Bills); 1988 (Detroit Lions); 1989-90 (CFL’s Saskatchewan Rough Riders)

PERSONNEL BACKGROUND: 1990-91 (Montreal Machine); 1991-95 (Cleveland Browns); 1996 (Baltimore Ravens); 1997-99 (NY Jets); 2000-04 (New England Patriots); 2005-07 (Baltimore Ravens)