andyokstate
01-15-2008, 01:33 PM
Big 12 sends 12 to Mobile
Friday, January 11, 2008
By TOMMY HICKS
Sports Reporter
As an indication that its offenses have opened up, three of the country's top pass-catchers are from Big 12 schools and have accepted invitations to play in the Under Armour Senior Bowl on Jan. 26 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Heading the 12-man roster of players from the conference who will be in Mobile are Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed, Missouri tight end Martin Rucker and Kansas State wide receiver Jordy Nelson.
Joining that trio in the game from the Big 12 are Nebraska offensive lineman Carl Nicks, Oklahoma defensive back D.J. Wolfe and Oklahoma State running back Dantrell Savage. Six other Big 12 players were previously announced as Senior Bowl invitees: Oklahoma State wide receiver Adarius Bowman, Texas safety Marcus Griffin, Texas A&M defensive tackle Red Bryant and offensive lineman Cody Wallace, and Colorado linebacker Jordon Dizon and defensive back Terrence Wheatley.
"Look at the Big 12 this year and you'll find some of the most outstanding receivers in the country," Senior Bowl media relations director Vic Knight said Thursday. "They have some great stories, too. Limas Sweed hasn't played since early October because of an injury and Jordy Nelson is a former walk-on who had one of the best seasons ever for a receiver. And Martin Rucker had a great year, too.
"When you think of the Big 12, receivers aren't the players that usually come to mind, but that's not the case this year. As the conference is changing offensively, they now feature some of the best receivers in the country."
Sweed's appearance at the Senior Bowl will be important to him after missing several games with a wrist injury. Many NFL scouts consider Sweed to be one of top receivers available in the draft -- according to some the No. 1 prospect -- so they are eager to see how he will perform here. The 6-foot-5, 219-pounder caught 19 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns in just six games.
Nelson had a storybook season, hauling in 122 passes for 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranks No. 2 nationally in catches per game (10.2), yards per game receiving (133.8) and total receiving yards. He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and was a consensus first-team All-American. He also owns several Kansas State receiving records.
Rucker (6-6, 255), also a consensus first-team All-American, caught 84 passes for 834 yards and eight touchdowns, breaking the Missouri single-season record for catches. He also set the school mark for career receptions (203) and is No. 2 all-time in receiving yards (2,175). He was a finalist for the Mackey Award.
Wolfe was a second-team All-Big 12 pick. The 5-11, 201-pound safety had 87 tackles this season and led the Sooners in interceptions (4). He also had two fumble recoveries.
Savage, a 5-9, 195-pounder from Columbus, Ga., was a first-team All-Big 12 pick this year. He rushed for 1,272 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.
Nicks (6-5, 330) was a second-team All-Big 12 selection, anchoring a Nebraska line that helped the Cornhuskers rank 11th nationally in total offense.
Tickets for the Senior Bowl are $24, $18 and $12 and can be purchased at all area Food World locations, selected Regions Bank branches or by phoning the Senior Bowl ticket office at 251-432-4109. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.seniorbowl.com.
Friday, January 11, 2008
By TOMMY HICKS
Sports Reporter
As an indication that its offenses have opened up, three of the country's top pass-catchers are from Big 12 schools and have accepted invitations to play in the Under Armour Senior Bowl on Jan. 26 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Heading the 12-man roster of players from the conference who will be in Mobile are Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed, Missouri tight end Martin Rucker and Kansas State wide receiver Jordy Nelson.
Joining that trio in the game from the Big 12 are Nebraska offensive lineman Carl Nicks, Oklahoma defensive back D.J. Wolfe and Oklahoma State running back Dantrell Savage. Six other Big 12 players were previously announced as Senior Bowl invitees: Oklahoma State wide receiver Adarius Bowman, Texas safety Marcus Griffin, Texas A&M defensive tackle Red Bryant and offensive lineman Cody Wallace, and Colorado linebacker Jordon Dizon and defensive back Terrence Wheatley.
"Look at the Big 12 this year and you'll find some of the most outstanding receivers in the country," Senior Bowl media relations director Vic Knight said Thursday. "They have some great stories, too. Limas Sweed hasn't played since early October because of an injury and Jordy Nelson is a former walk-on who had one of the best seasons ever for a receiver. And Martin Rucker had a great year, too.
"When you think of the Big 12, receivers aren't the players that usually come to mind, but that's not the case this year. As the conference is changing offensively, they now feature some of the best receivers in the country."
Sweed's appearance at the Senior Bowl will be important to him after missing several games with a wrist injury. Many NFL scouts consider Sweed to be one of top receivers available in the draft -- according to some the No. 1 prospect -- so they are eager to see how he will perform here. The 6-foot-5, 219-pounder caught 19 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns in just six games.
Nelson had a storybook season, hauling in 122 passes for 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranks No. 2 nationally in catches per game (10.2), yards per game receiving (133.8) and total receiving yards. He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and was a consensus first-team All-American. He also owns several Kansas State receiving records.
Rucker (6-6, 255), also a consensus first-team All-American, caught 84 passes for 834 yards and eight touchdowns, breaking the Missouri single-season record for catches. He also set the school mark for career receptions (203) and is No. 2 all-time in receiving yards (2,175). He was a finalist for the Mackey Award.
Wolfe was a second-team All-Big 12 pick. The 5-11, 201-pound safety had 87 tackles this season and led the Sooners in interceptions (4). He also had two fumble recoveries.
Savage, a 5-9, 195-pounder from Columbus, Ga., was a first-team All-Big 12 pick this year. He rushed for 1,272 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.
Nicks (6-5, 330) was a second-team All-Big 12 selection, anchoring a Nebraska line that helped the Cornhuskers rank 11th nationally in total offense.
Tickets for the Senior Bowl are $24, $18 and $12 and can be purchased at all area Food World locations, selected Regions Bank branches or by phoning the Senior Bowl ticket office at 251-432-4109. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.seniorbowl.com.