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Five University Of Kentucky
Stars In Under Armour Senior Bowl
Talented quintet that
helped lead Wildcats to first back-to-back seven-win seasons in 30-years
includes the SEC’s leading passer and tackler in 2007, five All-SEC
selections and two of the most prolific pass catchers in school history.
[Kentucky
Video Highlights]
 MOBILE, Ala. (December
18, 2007) --
Quarterback Andre Woodson, the SEC’s leading passer in 2007 and one of
the nation’s most exciting offensive players, heads an outstanding
contingent of five University of Kentucky stars who will play in the
2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl, officials have announced.
Joining Woodson in the nation’s premier
pre-draft event will be linebacker Wesley Woodyard, a unanimous
first-team AP All-SEC selection who led the league in tackles with 124,
all-purpose running back Rafael Little, and two of the most prolific
pass catchers in school history – All-SEC tight end Jacob Tamme and
All-SEC wide receiver/kick returner Keenan Burton.
Kentucky quarterback
Andre Woodson
“I’m excited about our players’
opportunity,” said Kentucky head coach Rich Books. “I have coached in
the Senior Bowl and I know they treat the players well. Obviously, the
exposure is unsurpassed. This is as good an exposure for the NFL Draft
that any player could wish for.”
Considered one of the top quarterback
prospects in this year’s NFL Draft, Woodson led the SEC with 3,351
passing yards and 36 touchdowns during a remarkable senior season which
also saw him throw for over 200 yards and at least one TD in every game
as the Wildcats went 7-5 and earned a spot in the Gaylord Hotels Music
City Bowl.
It marked the first time since 1977 that
Kentucky had posted consecutive 7-win seasons.
The 6-5, 230-pounder from Radcliff, Ky.,
has thrown for 36 TD’s this season, one shy of the school single season
mark held by Tim Couch, and his 77 career touchdown passes is also one
away from the all-time school record.
Kentucky linebacker
Wesley Woodyard
His best single game performances came
against Florida and Tennessee, as he passed for 415 yards and five
touchdowns against the Gators and 430 yards and six scores in a
four-overtime thriller against Tennessee in the regular season finale.
A second-team All-SEC selection by both
the Coaches and Associated Press, Woodson also led the SEC in 2006 in
passing yards per game (270.4), total offense per game (259.8) and TD
passes (31).
Tamme ranks as the all-time leading pass
catcher among UK tight ends and is second in SEC history, hauling in 130
passes for 1,382 yards and ten touchdowns.
A consensus first-team All-SEC selection
in both 2006 and 2007, Tamme led all SEC tight ends with 53 receptions
for 584 yards and five touchdowns this season. Winner of the 2007 SEC
Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, the 6-5, 240-pound native of
Danville, Ky., caught 32 for 386 yards and two scores in 2006.
Kentucky running back
Rafael Little
“Obviously it is a real honor to be
invited to play in that game” said Tamme. “It’s a game that everybody
wants to get a chance to go play in.”
“A lot of stuff changes after the bowl
game. It’s weird, you play here for five years and eventually it ends.
The point is that the Senior Bowl is really a neat opportunity, so many
great players will be there. It’s the best of the best in the country.
It’s the biggest spotlight and the best players. Having so many guys go
from here (Kentucky) is really cool.”
Woodyard is a virtual tackling machine, a
two-time first-team All-SEC selection whose SEC-leading 124 tackles
marked the third straight season he had reached the century mark in
tackles. The 6-1, 212-pounder from LaGrange, Ga., now has 380 total
tackles during his career.
One of the best all-purpose running backs
in the nation, Little led the Wildcats with 861 rushing yards, caught 34
passes for 297 yards and returned 18 punts for 117 yards to account for
1,275 all-purpose yards during year, despite playing in only nine games
due to a thigh injury.
Kentucky tight end
Jacob Tamme
The 5-10, 195-pounder from Anderson, S.C.,
averaged 95.7 yards rushing per game which ranked third in the SEC,
while his 141.7 all-purpose yards per game average also ranked third
among all offensive players in the conference.
He was also a first-team All-SEC choice in
2005 when he led the SEC in punt return average with 16.9 and rushed for
a team-leading 1,045 yards.
An electrifying offensive performer and
threat to score every time he touches the ball, Burton is a 6-2,
195-pound wide receiver from Louisville, Ky., who ranks as one of the
most prolific pass catchers in school history. His 2,320 career
receiving yards is third all-time in school history, his 25 career
touchdown receptions is second, and his 187 career catches ranks fourth.
The two-time All-SEC selection led the
Wildcats with 59 catches for 685 yards and nine touchdowns this season
and with 77 receptions for 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2006. An
outstanding kick returner, as well, he ranks second all-time in school
history with a career 25.6 average.
Kentucky wide receiver/kick returner
Keenan Burton
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. |
