Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency PublicationNFL Draft 2011 - Wideout Matt Szczur Signs Baseball Contract
Photo - WR Matt Szczur - Villanova
Two-sport standout Matt Szczur announced today that he has reached an agreement with the Chicago Cubs under which he will commit fully to baseball and forego seeking possible professional football opportunities. Szczur will continue to play in the Cubs organization under a minor league contract.
Szczur will no longer participate in the Senior Bowl later this month and will report to Spring Training with the Cubs in Mesa, Arizona in late February or early March. I ranked Szczur as a marginal Top 100 Pro Prospect entering the Senior Bowl 2011 and after the Underclassmen declared this week. We recommended him on all our Senior Bowl invitation lists since September 2010.
For the past four years, Szczur has starred as both a baseball and a football student-athlete for Villanova. He was originally selected by the Cubs in the fifth round of the 2010 Draft.
"I am very happy to have made my decision," Szczur said. "The Cubs are a great organization and I am happy to be with them. My situation couldn't be any better right now. I got to play two sports in college at a great academic school. I expect to receive my degree soon and now I get the chance to become a major league baseball player."
Szczur, 21, combined to bat .347 (35-for-101) with 10 doubles, one triple, 10 RBI, 24 runs scored, a .414 on-base percentage and a .465 slugging percentage in 25 professional games in the Cubs organization in 2010. He spent the majority of the season with short-season Single-A Boise, where he hit safely in all 18 games with a .397 batting average (29-for-73) to earn a six-game promotion to Single-A Peoria before reporting to the Villanova football team in August.
"We've had the great fortune to get to know Matt the last seven-plus months and are excited by his decision to devote himself completely to
baseball and the Cubs," said Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry. "We've come to know Matt not only as a talented athlete but also as an
exceptional person. He had a fantastic pro debut with us last summer and we look forward to supporting and fostering his continued development as a baseball player."
In just two seasons of baseball at Villanova, Szczur made a name for himself as one of the best hitters in program history. He ranks fifth all-time with a .392 (142-for-362) career batting average and is also tied for third with nine triples. He averaged 1.6 hits per game over two seasons and his 142 hits include 23 doubles, nine triples and five home runs. Szczur had a .460 on-base percentage and a .547 slugging percentage for the Wildcats.
"The entire Villanova community is excited for Matt and for him to have the chance to commit himself fully to his baseball career," Villanova head baseball coach Joe Godri said. "I knew that Matt was going to have a chance to be a professional athlete and he had a difficult decision to make. I am thrilled that he will continue our program's legacy of players at the professional level. Villanova has had 55 players reach the major leagues and I expect that Matt will have every chance at being No. 56."
In four years of football at Villanova, Szczur played in 47 games and helped the Wildcats go 37-10 (.787) in the games he appeared in. That record included reaching the quarterfinals of the Division I Football Championship in 2008, winning the national title in 2009 and advancing to the semifinals in 2010. His career football totals for Villanova include 1,803 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, 1,485 receiving yards and 11 scores, 1,690 kickoff return yards and two touchdowns, 206 passing yards (12-of-14) with five touchdowns and a total of 180 points. He racked up 5,234 career all-purpose yards and ends his career ranked 11th in school history in career rushing yards and 14th in career receiving yards. He was the MVP of the 2009 FCS national championship game, when the Wildcats won their first-ever national championship with a 23-21 win over previously unbeaten Montana.
Szczur will no longer participate in the Senior Bowl later this month and will report to Spring Training with the Cubs in Mesa, Ariz. in late February or early March.
Frank Coyle writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
Arkansas's D.J. Williams and Tennessee’s Luke Stocker Head Senior Bowl Tight End Group
TE Luke Stocker - Tennessee
The South squad tight ends in this year's Under Armour Senior Bowl will all be from the Southeastern Conference. Tennessee's Luke Stocker will join Alabama's Preston Dial and Arkansas' D.J. Williams on the South roster later this month after officially accepting an invitation to the senior showcase event. The 2011 game is set for 3pm (CT) on Saturday, January 29th in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game will be televised live by NFL Network.
D.J Williams was ranked #42 and Luke Stocker #48 among our Top 160 senior Pro Prospects in the December newsletter. Williams was nominated for the 1st team while Stocker was named 3rd team All-American offensive team by DraftInsiders.com
"Luke is a big target and has enjoyed a great career at Tennessee," Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said. "He is a tremendous addition to our South roster and should do really well down here later this month in front of the top decision makers in the NFL."
Stocker enjoyed his best season yet for the Volunteers in 2010, setting career marks in receptions (39) and receiving yards (417). The Berea, Kentucky native finished the season with two touchdown catches, one of which came in the Vols' double-overtime loss to North Carolina in the Music City Bowl. Stocker was the only Vol to have a catch in every single game this season and had multiple catches in 11 of the team's13 games.
The 6-6, 253 pound tight end finished his career on a high note against the Tar Heels—matching a career- best with five catches and setting a career-high with 58 yards receiving. He was the team's third leading receiver in both receptions and yards this season.
Stocker started every game for the Vols in 2010 and wrapped up his career with 38 consecutive starts, which was tops on the team. He finished his career in Knoxville tied for first all-time in school history in games played (52). For his career, Stocker reeled in 85 catches for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.
Senior Bowl Invitation List
No. Name Position HT/WT School
TBA Bailey, Allen - DE - 6-4 / 285 - Miami
TBA Ballard, Christian - DL - 6-5 / 297 - Iowa
TBA Black, Ahmad - DB - 5-9 / 189 - Florida
TBA Bynes, Josh - LB - 6-2 / 235 - Auburn
TBA Carpenter, James - OL - 6-5 / 300 - Alabama
TBA Clayborn, Adrian - DE - 6-4 / 285 - Iowa
TBA Dalton, Andy - QB - 6-3 / 220 - TCU
TBA Devine, Noel - RB - 5-8 / 180 - West Virginia
TBA Dial, Preston - TE - 6-3 / 237 - Alabama
TBA Gilbert, Marcus - OL - 6-5 / 322 - Florida
TBA Hankerson, Leonard - WR - 6-3 / 205 - Miami
TBA Henry, Chas - P - 6-3 / 222 - Florida
TBA Hudson, Rodney - OL - 6-3 / 285 - Florida St.
TBA Ijalana, Ben - OL - 6-4 / 320 - Villanova
TBA Jernigan, Jerrel - WR - 5-9 / 184 - Troy
TBA Johnson, Ronald - WR - 6-0 / 185 - USC
TBA Kerley, Jeremy - WR - 5-10 / 192 - TCU
TBA Kerrigan, Ryan - DE - 6-5 / 265 - Purdue
TBA Love, DeMarcus - OL - 6-5 / 315 - Arkansas
TBA McElroy, Greg - QB - 6-3 / 225 - Alabama
TBA O'Dowd, Kristofer - OL - 6-5 / 300 - USC
TBA Pettis, Austin - WR - 6-3 / 203 - Boise St
TBA Ponder, Christian - QB - 6-3 / 227 - Florida St
TBA Pouncey, Mike - OL - 6-4 / 310 - Florida
TBA Stanzi, Ricky - QB - 6-4 / 230 - Iowa
TBA Stocker, Luke - TE - 6-6 / 253 - Tennessee
TBA Szczur, Matt - WR - 5-11 / 205 - Villanova
TBA Williams, D.J. - TE - 6-2 / 251 - Arkansas
TBA Wright, Shareece - CB - 5-11 / 185 - USC
TBA Young, Titus - WR - 5-11 / 175 - Boise St
TBA Ziemba, Lee - OL - 6-8 / 319 - Auburn
Tickets for the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket office (151 Dauphin Street), all area Food For Less locations, select Regions Bank locations, online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109
Frank Coyle writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
Ryan Kerrigan Accepts Senior Bowl Invite
Photo - DE Ryan Kerrigan - Purdue
The North roster for next month’s Under Armour Senior Bowl just got a whole lot better. Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, has officially accepted an invitation to the 2011 game, it was announced today. The 62nd game is scheduled for 3pm (CT) on Saturday, January 29th in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game will be televised live by NFL Network.
“Ryan has proven to be one of the most dominant pass rushers in the nation,” said Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale. “He is an outstanding prospect and a player that I think will really turn some heads down here in Mobile.”
In addition to claiming Big Ten Defensive Player of the year honors this season, Kerrigan was also named the Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection. He was also a semifinalist for the Lombardi, Lott and Bednarik awards this season. The unanimous first-team All-American (Walter Camp, AP, FWAA, Sporting News, AFCA Coaches) leads the Big Ten and ranks third in the country with 12.5 sacks on the season and is fifth on his team with 70 tackles—including 50 solo stops.
Ryan Kerrigan was ranked #15 among our Top 160 senior Pro Prospects in the December newsletter. He was also named for the first team All-American defensive team by DraftInsiders.com
“Seeing all of the great players that have come through and played in the Senior Bowl it really is an honor to be invited to this game and to be able to participate in it,” Kerrigan said. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”
Kerrigan’s 2.17 tackles for loss per game is the best in the country and accounts for 26 tackles for loss on the year which is the seventh-best single-season total in Big Ten history. He also forced five fumbles this year, giving him 14 for his career, matching the NCAA record and breaking the Big Ten record held by Simeon Rice and Bob Sanders.
“I’m just looking to work hard and show the coaches that I can compete with the best around the country,” Kerrigan added. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play against the guys that are going to be there—the best offensive tackles around, the best overall players. I’m really looking forward to it and it’s an opportunity I’m going to embrace.”
For his career, Kerrigan finished tied for second on Purdue’s all-time list with 33.5 career sacks and is fifth in career tackles for loss with 57. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of another former Big Ten standout, Brandon Graham. Graham was the MVP of the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl after leading the country in tackles for loss last year at Michigan.
“It would be great if I did (win the MVP),” Kerrigan said. “I’m just looking forward to going down there and competing and playing my best and hopefully showing the scouts and NFL coaches that I can play with the best guys around the nation.”
Senior Bowl Invitation List
No. Name Position HT/WT School
TBA Carpenter, James - OL - 6-5 / 300 - Alabama
TBA Dial, Preston - TE - 6-3 / 237 - Alabama
TBA Hudson, Rodney - OL - 6-3 / 285 - Florida St.
TBA Jernigan, Jerrel - WR - 5-9 / 184 - Troy
TBA Kerrigan, Ryan - DE - 6-5 / 265 - Purdue
TBA McElroy, Greg - QB - 6-3 / 225 - Alabama
TBA Pettis, Austin - WR - 6-3 / 203 - Boise St
TBA Ponder, Christian - QB - 6-3 / 227 - Florida St
TBA Young, Titus - WR - 5-11 / 175 - Boise St
Tickets for the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket office (151 Dauphin Street), all area Food For Less locations, select Regions Bank locations, online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109.
Frank Coyle writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
Florida St's QB Christian Ponder and offensive lineman Rodney Hudson Accept Senior Bowl Invitations
Photo - QB Christian Ponder - Florida St.
Florida St is sending two key members off their Atlantic division champion squad to next month's Under Armour Senior Bowl. QB Christian Ponder and offensive lineman Rodney Hudson have both officially accepted invitations to the 2011 Senior Bowl game. The game will kickoff at 3pm (CT) on Saturday, January 29th in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium and will be televised live on NFL Network.
"Christian and Rodney are both outstanding players with very bright futures in the National Football League," said Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale. "They both were a huge part of the Seminoles' success this year and we are excited about bringing them in to perform in front of the top decision makers in the NFL."
Ponder is the second quarterback to be named to the South roster, joining Alabama's Greg McElroy. The Colleyville, Texas native claimed the 2010 James Tatum Award which is given annually to the top senior student-athlete in the ACC. He was also a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and helped lead the Seminoles to a 9 and 4 record this season, including a trip to the ACC title game—their first since 2005.
The pre-season ACC Player of the Year, Ponder currently ranks third in the ACC in passing efficiency (137.48) and is third in completion percentage (62.24). On the year, he has thrown for 2,038 yards and 20 touchdowns despite battling an arm injury for most of the season.
For his career, Ponder has accounted for 7,696 yards of offense (830 rush, 6866 pass) and 59 touchdowns. He is also a standout in the classroom, graduating from Florida State in two and a half years with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a 3.73 GPA. He completed his MBA degree last May and is currently in FSU's graduate program in Sports Management.
"It's definitely a big step for me to kind of showcase what I have," Ponder said of the Senior Bowl. "I think it's definitely a huge accomplishment for me to make it to the Senior Bowl and I'm definitely going to enjoy it."
"For me, it's been a lot of ups and downs this senior year just battling injuries. I'm sure there's some doubt with some pro scouts as to how my arm is, so it definitely gives me a great opportunity, another chance to show that I'm fine and leave the Senior Bowl on a positive note."
Hudson, a Mobile native who prepped at B.C. Rain, is a four-year starter for the Seminoles and the most decorated offensive linemen in ACC history. A unanimous first team All-American this season, Hudson also landed on the first team All-ACC squad for the third straight year and is just the seventh player in league history to earn All-ACC honors all four years of his career.
The offensive guard is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Jacobs Blocking Trophy (2009, 2010), becoming just the 11th player in ACC history to claim that award twice. Hudson was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy this season and was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice this season and eight times in his career, tying for the most in league history.
In his four years at Florida State Hudson started 47 games and this year graded out at 87 percent with 44 knockdown blocks. He was only penalized once in 832 offensive snaps this season. Hudson is the second Mobile native to be named to the 2011 South roster, joining Alabama tight end Preston Dial.
"It's such an honor to be back and just to be invited to play in this game with so many great players," Hudson said today at a news conference at Senior Bowl headquarters. "It's going to be exciting to be back in front of the home crowd after being away for four years and it's going to be a very good experience and I'm looking forward to it."
Florida State (9-4) will close out their 2010 campaign on New Year's Eve against South Carolina (9-4) in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Senior Bowl Announced Invitation List
No. Name Position HT/WT School
TBA Carpenter, James OL 6-5 / 300 Alabama
TBA Dial, Preston TE 6-3 / 237 Alabama
TBA Hudson, Rodney OL 6-3 / 285 Florida St.
TBA McElroy, Greg QB 6-3 / 225 Alabama
TBA Ponder, Christian QB 6-3 / 225 Florida St.
Tickets for the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket office (151 Dauphin Street), all area Food For Less locations, select Regions Bank locations, online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109.
Frank Coyle writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He is also a member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
Tebow and Rolle in Senior Bowl Spotlight
Photo - Safety Myron Rolle - Florida St
Senior Bowl Game – Sat - 4 pm Est
Senior Bowl – Game Day
The 2010 Senior Bowl comes to completion today with the All-star classic that NFL scouts will view extensively over the ensuing weeks. There are many high regarded pro prospects to view but none more interesting than Florida’s QB Tim Tebow and Florida St’s safety Myron Rolle. Both prospects have been scouted with a critical eye this week for various reasons. Each of these pro prospects have incredible intangibles to get the most out of their top athletic abilities.
QB Tim Tebow of Florida drew incredible attention over the practices this week and may be the most over analyzed prospect in recent memory. He improved over the week on his throwing mechanics and taking the snap under center. He struggled during the opening workout but displayed a shorter delivery over the week with fine ball security under center. His delivery will be a huge issue in NFL front offices this spring and he will have to show progress in his mechanics and adjusting to a pro set at the NFL Combine to dispel concerns about his pro potential. He is capable of being the catalyst for the South team today.
Safety Myron Rolle - 6-2 / 218 - Florida St suited up for football for the first time since Dec. 2008 this week. He has worked out since Dec. '09 to prepare for this All-star classic. He opted to go to Oxford, England on a Rhodes scholarship the past year to pursue his education. He is the first Rhodes Scholar to ever play in the Senior Bowl. He is a defender who carried a top 100 and NFL starting grade off his experience and athletic ability. He needs to have a good game and postseason to return to those levels. His workout efforts this week showed the talent that made him an All-American, in addition to the smarts to pick up a new system quickly and flash the talent that made him a star defender as a collegian.
Players to Watch
Offensive Players
Jacoby Ford - WR - Clemson
Shay Hodge - WR - Ole Miss
Dexter McCluster - WR - Ole Miss
Andre Roberts - WR - The Citadel
Mike Iupati – OG -Idaho
Defensive Players
Daryl Washington - LB TCU
Sean Weatherspoon - LB - Missouri
Chris Cook - CB - Virginia
Perrish Cox – CB - Oklahoma St
Kyle Wilson - CB - Boise St
Mike Iupati Heads Senior Bowl Classic
Photo - OG Mike Iupati - Idaho
Frank Coyle has been a consultant for the Senior Bowl for 15 years.
Senior Bowl Roster
As of Jan.13, 2010 - 7 pm
Player - Position - Ht/Wt - School
Alexander, Danario - WR - 6-5 / 215 - Missouri
Allen, Nate - DB - 6-2 / 207 - South Florida
Alualu, Tyson - DL - 6-3 / 290 - California
Arenas, Javier - DB - 5-9 / 198 - Alabama
Black, Ciron - OL - 6-5 / 322 - LSU
Brown, Charles - OL - 6-6 / 285 - Southern Cal
Brown, Chris - RB - 5-10 / 200 - Oklahoma
Canfield, Sean - QB - 6-4 / 214 - Oregon St
Cody, Terrence - DT - 6-5 / 365 - Alabama
Coleman, Antonio - DE - 6-3 / 261 - Auburn
Coleman, Harry - DB - 6-2 / 206 - LSU
Dixon, Anthony - RB - 6-1 / 235 - Mississippi St
Graham, Brandon - DE - 6-2 / 263 - Michigan
Graham, Jimmy - TE - 6-8 / 260 - Miami
Hardesty, Montario - RB - 6-0 / 215 - Tennessee
Hodge, Shay - WR - 6-1 / 207 - Ole Miss
Hughes, Jerry - LB - 6-3 / 257 - TCU
Iupati, Mike - OL - 6-6 / 325 - Idaho
Jerry, John - OL - 6-5 / 350 - Ole Miss
Johnson, Mike - OL - 6-6 / 305 - Alabama
Johnson, Stafon - RB - 5-11 / 210 - Southern Cal
LaFell, Brandon - WR - 6-3 / 206 - LSU
Lang, Brandon - DL - 6-3 / 256 - Troy
LeFevour, Dan - QB - 6-3 / 238 - Central Michigan
Mays, Taylor - DB - 6-3 / 235 - Southern Cal
McCarthy, Kyle - DB - 6-1 / 210 - Notre Dame
McCluster, Dexter - WR/RB - 5-8 / 165 - Ole Miss
McCoy, Anthony - TE - 6-2 / 250 - Southern Cal
Mesko, Zoltan - P - 6-5 / 231 - Michigan
Murphy, Jerome - DB - 6-1 / 190 - South Florida
Norwood, Eric - LB - 6-1 / 252 - South Carolina
Olsen, Eric - OL - 6-5 / 305 - Notre Dame
Peek, Colin - TE - 6-6 / 255 - Alabama
Pike, Tony - QB - 6-6 / 225 - Cincinnati
Robinson, Patrick - DB - 5-11 / 193 - Florida St
Scott, Charles - RB - 6-0 / 234 - LSU
Selvie, George - DE - 6-4 / 250 - South Florida
Sharpton, Darryl - LB - 6-0 / 235 - Miami
Sheffield, Cameron - LB - 6-2 / 249 - Troy
Tate, Ben - RB - 5-11 / 218 - Auburn
Tebow, Tim - QB - 6-3 / 240 - Florida
Thompson, Syd'Quan - DB - 5-9 / 191 - California
Tiffin, Leigh - PK - 6-2 / 212 - Alabama
Washington, Daryl - LB - 6-3 / 234 - TCU
Watson, Dekoda - LB - 6-2 / 228 - Florida St
Weatherspoon, Sean - LB - 6-2 / 250 - Missouri
Webb, Joe WR 6-4 / 220 UAB
Williams, Dan - DT - 6-3 / 327 - Tennessee
Williams, Jeremy - WR - 6-1 / 205 - Tulane
Williams, Trent - OL - 6-6 / 318 - Oklahoma
Wilson, Kyle - DB - 5-10 / 186 - Boise St
Young, Sam - OL - 6-8 / 320 - Notre Dame
Tim Tebow to Showcase Skills in Mobile for All Star Week
Photo - QB Tim Tebow - Florida
Frank Coyle has been a consultant for the Senior Bowl for 15 years.
University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow ended months of speculation on whether or not he would attend the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl by officially accepting an invitation. The former Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion is the most decorated player to ever play in the Senior Bowl. Kickoff for the January 30th event is scheduled for 3pm (CT) in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game and all practices will be televised by the NFL Network.
Despite enormous success in college, Tebow has been highly criticized as a future NFL starting QB. His elongated delivery has been criticized as telegraph his throws and taking too much time to deliver the ball to receivers. It certanly did not hinder his success on the field in the tough SEC or his fine accuracy as a passer. The Senior Bowl practices will go a long ways in determining his draft position whether a top pick and potential starting QB or a prospect with talent and upside who may be limited to a Wild Cat performer. “The NFL has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy and I’m now getting close to capturing that dream and I want to do everything I can to show that I can play quarterback.” Tebow stated this week.
Tebow has been a fan favorite nationwide and is arguably the greatest college football player ever. He will head to Mobile fresh off the best performance of his career--a BCS record 533 total yards of offense (482 pass, 51 rush) on 31 of 35 passing in the Gators' Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Voted the game’s Most Outstanding Player, Tebow accounted for 4 TDs in the win (3 pass, 1 rush), to improve his career mark as a starter to 35- 6. He also set a Sugar Bowl record by completing his first 12 passes.
“One of my reasons to play (in the Senior Bowl) was because I love competing and I love what it takes to be a football player. There are a lot of things in training that you do but you are not playing football. This (the Senior Bowl) is the only thing where you are playing football and showing football skills. That’s why I think something like the Senior Bowl is very important,” Tebow said.
Tebow’s college résumé is very impressive starting with being the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy Award, a two-time winner of the Maxwell Award (Collegiate Player of the Year) and the owner of numerous NCAA, SEC and school records. His trophy case is filled with every major college football award in existence---Heisman (2007), Maxwell (2007, 2008), Manning (2008) and O’Brien (2007) and he is the only player in NCAA history to ever rush and pass for more than 20 TDs in a single season (2007).
“I’m very excited,” Tebow said of playing in the Senior Bowl. “It’s something where I get an opportunity to play with a lot of great players and get coached by a lot of great coaches in the NFL and an opportunity to work in an NFL system and do things that a lot of people haven’t seen me do like go under center and take the drops and be in a pro style system.” Tebow is the first QB officially announced to the 2010 Senior Bowl roster. He will play on the South squad later this month which will be coached by the Miami Dolphins.
As a senior, Tebow was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year and a first team All-SEC selection (AP & Coaches) after throwing for 2,895 yards and 21 touchdowns. He added another 910 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. He was a second team All- American (AP, Walter Camp, Sporting News) and for the third consecutive year a Heisman Trophy finalist. He also took home the William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy), which goes to college football’s top scholar-athlete. For his illustrious career, the left-handed quarterback threw for 8,803 yards and 85 TDs and rushed for an additional 2,947 yards and 57 touchdowns. He helped the Gators win two SEC championships and was part of the winningest senior class in conference history.
“Tim is quite possibly the best college player in the history of the sport,” Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said. “More important than that, he’s an incredible person. When I met with Tim and his family it became very clear why he is so successful. He has a tremendous support system and we are excited that he’ll be bringing his talents here to Mobile.”
Continue to Next Page for Complete Tim Tebow Senior Bowl story
