Tide Trio Accept Under Armour Senior Bowl Invites
12/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 15, 2010
MOBILE, Ala. - Three members of the Alabama Crimson Tide will represent their school on the South squad in the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl. Quarterback Greg McElroy, tight end Preston Dial and offensive lineman James Carpenter have all accepted invitations to the senior showcase event, game officials announced today.
The 2011 game is scheduled for Saturday, January 29 at 3 p.m. (CST) in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium and will be televised live by NFL Network.
"This senior group from the University of Alabama has enjoyed tremendous success over the course of their careers and we are excited about having them represent the Crimson Tide here in Mobile next month," Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said.
McElroy is 23-3 in his two years as a starter for the Tide, leading Alabama to the 2009 SEC Championship and BCS National Championship as a junior. The Southlake, Texas, native has thrown for 2,767 yards this season to go along with 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
For his career, McElroy has thrown for 5,471 yards and 38 touchdowns--marks that rank fifth and third, respectively, on Alabama's all-time list. He currently ranks sixth in the nation in passing efficiency and is equally impressive in the classroom, recently being named a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. He was also a finalist for the William Campbell Trophy this year and was named the SEC's Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
"Being invited to the Senior Bowl is probably single-handily the greatest honor you can achieve as a college football senior," McElroy said. "I'm very thrilled and very much looking forward to competing against the best that our sport has to offer and it should be a great experience and great learning opportunity as we approach and embark on the next step of our football careers."
Dial, a native of Mobile and former UMS-Wright standout, will return home to play in the annual showcase event. The two-year starter enjoyed his most productive year in Tuscaloosa, reeling in 21 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns this season. He was part of an offensive unit this year that finished in the top five in total offense, scoring offense, rushing offense, passing offense and passing efficiency in the SEC.
"I don't think a lot of people understand the magnitude of this game and the opportunity it provides," Dial said. "I think this will be my 19th Senior Bowl to attend and I'm just extremely happy about the opportunity to play in it this time around."
Carpenter has started 26 consecutive games at left tackle for the Tide after transferring from Coffeyville (Kansas) Junior College prior to the 2009 season. He was a first team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches this year and second team pick by the Associated Press. As a junior Carpenter helped block for Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and this year he anchored an offensive line that averaged 435.6 yards per game on offense and 6.86 yards per play, the second-highest mark in school history.
"It is a great honor to be selected to play in the Senior Bowl," Carpenter said. "I am looking forward to one more game in the state of Alabama after I finish up my Crimson Tide career in the Capital One Bowl. It is a tremendous opportunity to be able to practice and play in Mobile in front of so many scouts and coaches from the NFL."
The Crimson Tide (9-3) will wrap up their 2010 campaign on New Year's Day in the Capital One Bowl against Michigan State (11-1). Players begin reporting to Mobile for the Under Armour Senior Bowl on Saturday, January 22.
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.
