BOULDER?University of Colorado tight end Tyson DeVree was chosen to play in the second annual Texas vs. The Nation Collegiate All-Star Bowl on Saturday in El Paso, Texas.
The game, which will air at 3 p.m. on CSTV live from the Sun Bowl, provides a venue to feature all-star collegiate seniors from Texas pitted against the best from around the United States. Last season, 79 of the combined 108 players on both rosters went on to sign with NFL teams.
DeVree is on The Nation team which will be led by former Philadelphia Eagles coach Buddy Ryan, who coached the team to a 24-20 victory over Texas in 2007. Former college and NFL head coach Gene Stallings will coach the Texas squad.
DeVree, who hails from Hudsonville, Mich., played at CU for two years after transferring from Western Michigan, had a breakout senior season which earned him honorable mention all-Big 12 honors. He finished the regular season second on the team in receptions (28), fourth in receiving yards (308) and first in touchdowns (6). He was also CU’s most clutch performer on offense, as three of his touchdowns came on fourth down and 16 of his receptions were good for first downs.
DeVree capped off the year with a dominating performance against Alabama in the PetroSun Independence Bowl, setting career highs in receptions (9), receiving yards (94) and touchdowns (2).
Quarterback Taylor Tharp will also be playing in the Texas vs. The Nation game. Though he played collegiately at Boise State, he has plenty of ties to the CU program. The son of former athletic director Dick Tharp, he attended Fairview High School, where he was tutored by head coach Tom McCartney and former CU quarterback Darian Hagan.
Another player with a local tie, Denver Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, played in the inaugural game last season for The Nation team after playing collegiately at Florida.
