Colorado University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Wheatley and Dizon Prep for Senior Bowl
January 22, 2008 | Football
BOULDER - University of Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley and linebacker Jordon Dizon are among 100 top senior NFL draft prospects participating in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl this week in Mobile, Ala.
Dizon and Wheatley reported to Mobile this past weekend and had their first practice session on Monday afternoon. They will play on the Senior Bowl's North squad, which is being coached by Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff.
The players will have one practice per day during Senior Bowl Week, capped off by the 59th annual Under Armour Senior Bowl game on Saturday, Jan. 26. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium and the contest will be nationally-televised by the NFL Network.
Fans will also be able to follow the players' progress through the NFL Network's extensive coverage of this year's Senior Bowl practices, as over 21 hours of Senior Bowl content will air during the week and one game day. NFL Network telecasts will air on Monday through Thursday of the week, including live practice coverage and nightly recap shows in primetime.
The Under Armour Senior Bowl is the nation's most unique football game and football's premier pre-draft event, annually featuring the country's best senior NFL draft prospects on teams representing the North and South that are coached by the entire coaching staffs from two NFL teams. The Senior Bowl is also attended by over 800 NFL coaches, scouts and other front office personnel each year.
Over 575 former Senior Bowl players are currently active in the NFL, and the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl rosters features 25 former Senior Bowl players. A total of 90 players from the 2007 Under Armour Senior Bowl were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft, including 12 first round picks.
The South squad is being coached by San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan and his staff.
CU has now sent seven players to the Senior Bowl in the last three seasons. In 2006, fullback Lawrence Vickers, punter John Torp, linebacker Brian Iwuh and tight end Joe Klopfenstein were invited. Last season, placekicker Mason Crosby was the Buffs' lone participant.
Dizon has already played in one postseason game this month. He traveled to his native Hawai'i to play in the Hula Bowl in Honululu on Jan. 12. His Kai (West) team lost to Aina (East) 38-7. Offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus represented Colorado in the East-West Shrine game on Jan. 19, with his West team prevailing over the East squad 31-13.