Jan. 12, 2011
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By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF wide receiver Jamar Newsome has accepted an invitation to play in the NFL Players Association Game on February 5 in San Antonio. Formerly the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game and played in El Paso, the NFLPA Game will maintain that contest's format and pit a team of collegiate stars from Texas against Newsome and his non-Texan teammates. The contest will kickoff at 2 p.m. at the Alamodome.
Former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville will be in charge of Team Nation for the week as players compete in front of a deep throng of NFL scouts. Dallas Cowboy special teams legend and former NFL assistant coach Bill Bates returns for his second year at the helm of Team Texas.
Newsome was second on the Knights with 37 receptions and 616 receiving yards this past fall, helping UCF to a school-record 11 wins, the Conference USA championship and the school's first-ever bowl victory - a 10-6 win over Georgia in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. UCF finished the year ranked No. 20 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, also a school record. Newsome also proved to be a strong special teams performer for the Knights as a senior, running back 10 kickoffs for 306 yards. The St. Petersburg native closed his career just shy of the 1,000-yard plateau, gaining 986 career receiving yards on 65 catches with seven touchdowns.
Newsome is not the lone Knight to be involved in postseason all-star play. Both Bruce Miller and Jah Reid will represent UCF in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl. All of these contests can help the Knights' individual standings as they prepare for the NFL Draft on April 28-30. Last winter a string showing at the Shrine Game helped former UCF defensive tackle Torell Troup shoot up draft boards, eventually going early in the second round, No. 41 overall, to the Buffalo Bills.
To catch the next round of NFL Knights in action for UCF as they defend the Conference USA championship, place your deposit now for 2011 football season tickets. Contact the UCF Athletics ticket office at (407) 823-1000 for more information or place your deposit online on the main ticket page at UCFAthletics.com.