Senior Bowl Week Features Hidden Gems for All-Star Game’s 59th Annual Edition

Photo – DL Jason Jones of Eastern Michigan

Every January the best college senor players are invited to Mobile, Alabama for the annual Senior Bowl All-star game and week. The Senior Bowl’s 59th annual edition this year will once again feature many blue chip prospects for the NFL Draft, in addition to many unheralded players who are invited to the game off in-depth scouting evaluations. Most are expected to be playing on Sundays next fall and possibly high draft choices this April. This year there are several obscure players who will get their moment in the Alabama sun to showcase their fine talent in front of two NFL coaching staffs – the 49ers and Raiders. One player, DL Jason Jones of Eastern Michigan will be one prospect that NFL scouts are anxiously waiting to see against top talent and at a new position. Jones played inside at tackle as a senior at EMU, more out of need than design. He has the prototypical numbers for defensive end in the pro game and his performance vs NFL caliber linemen especially tackles could elevate him to a surprising high selection this April. He turned in one of the top defensive efforts in EMU history in 2007. He was named 1st-team All-MAC after leading the league in tackles-for-loss with 19.5 for 67 yards. He also recorded 70 tackles and had 3.5 sacks for 25 yards from the inside. He played in all 12 games and started in 11, missing one start with a leg injury. As an underclassman, the 6’5” 270 lb defender was a 2nd-team All-MAC selection in 2006 before enjoying a sensational senior season. He originally started as a tight end with EMU before moving to defensive line as a sophomore where he completed his career as a three year starter there.

The 59th annual Under Armour Senior Bowl will be played on January 26, 2008, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. (CST). The game and its week-long practice sessions will be televised live by the NFL Network. For tickets and more information, access the bowl’s website at www.seniorbowl.com.