|
Auburn To Send Pair Of All-SEC
Stars To
Under Armour Senior Bowl
First-team all-league
selections Quentin Groves and Patrick Lee will represent the Tigers in
January 26 contest.
[Groves,
Lee To Mobile]
 MOBILE, Ala. (December
16, 2007) --
A pair of first-team All-SEC performers and top NFL Draft prospects –
defensive end Quentin Groves and defensive back Patrick Lee – will
represent Auburn University in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl, bowl
officials have announced.
“We’re excited to have Auburn University
represented by Quentin and Patrick in this year’s Senior Bowl,” said
Senior Bowl President Steve Hale. “They emerged during the 2007 season
as Auburn’s best NFL Draft prospects.”
One of the most prolific pass rushers in
SEC history, Groves finished his stellar Tiger career the co-holder of
the school’s all-time quarterback sack record with 26.
Auburn defensive end
Quentin Groves
He was a two-time first-team All-SEC
selection, being named to the first-team Coaches All-SEC squad this
season and to four first-team squads, including the Associated Press, in
2006.
The 6-3, 254-pounder from Greenville,
Miss., finished the regular season with 35 total tackles, 21 solos,
seven tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
His 2007 season got off to a spectacular
start when he was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his
performance in the season opener against Kansas State when he recorded
two sacks and forced a fumble that was returned 11 yards for a touchdown
with just 1:11 remaining to seal the victory.
However, he was forced to miss two entire
games and saw limited action in two others due to a foot injury, three
dislocated toes, suffered in the Tigers’ victory over Florida.
During limited action against LSU, he tied
the school’s career sack record held by Gerald Robinson with a sack
against the Tigers. He has also forced eight fumbles during his career.
Auburn defensive back
Patrick Lee
In 2006, he recorded 37 tackles, 12 for
loss, and was ranked third in the SEC with 9.5 quarterback sacks to earn
first-team AP and Coaches All-SEC honors.
Lee earned first-team Mobile
Press-Register and second-team Coaches All-SEC honors following an
outstanding senior season that saw him lead the team with eight pass
break-ups and tie for the team lead with four interceptions.
His four interceptions occurred over a
five-game stretch during the middle of the 2007 season, recording one
each against Florida, Vanderbilt, LSU and Ole Miss. He also had a
career-high eight tackles in the Ole Miss contest.
The 6-0, 201-pounder from Miami, Fla.,
ranks sixth on the squad in 2007 with 51 total tackles, 36 solos, and
forced a fumble. He also averaged 21.8 yards on kickoff returns.
The 59th annual Under Armour Senior Bowl
is scheduled for Saturday, January 26, 2008. Tickets sell for $24, $18
and $12 each and can be purchased at all area Food World stores,
selected Regions Bank branches, by calling 251-432-4109 or ordered
through the bowl’s website at
www.seniorbowl.com. |
