Jan. 13, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former University of Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson, who recently completed a successful career with nearly 300 tackles, has been named to the American roster for the 2014 National Football League Players Association Collegiate Bowl.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be played Saturday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2 at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Team practices will also be aired live on Wednesday and Thursday on ESPNU.
According to the game’s official web site, the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is a premier postseason all-star game for draft-eligible college players. The week-long schedule provides participants with a first-class professional experience while introducing them to the business of the NFL.
Founded in 2012, the annual game gives prospective NFL players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. In 2013, scouts from every NFL club and other professional leagues attended the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl’s practices and game. Nearly 100 scouts not only watched the live practices and game but also conducted player interviews and reviewed video.
Participants in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl have the unique opportunity to network with and learn from current and former NFL players. Under the guidance of National Team Head Coach Dick Vermeil and American Team Head Coach Denny Green, pro-football players and coaching legends will work with the game’s future stars, giving them first-hand insight on what it takes to win on and off of the field.
Williamson completed a great season for UK in the fall of 2013, earning numerous honors. The native of Milan, Tenn., was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press, league coaches, ESPN.com, Phil Steele’s College Football and Athlon Sports, while College Sports Madness named him a first-team All-SEC performer.
Williamson finished 2013 as UK’s leading tackler for the second consecutive year, posting 102 total tackles to rank tied for fourth in the SEC in that category. The star linebacker had four tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries last season. Williamson finished his career with 296 total tackles after playing in 49 career games with 24 starts, including double-digit tackles in 12 career games.
Williamson began the 2013 season as a third-team Preseason All-SEC honoree by league coaches and media, while College Sports Madness and Phil Steele’s College Football named him a second-team Preseason All-SEC member. Williamson was also named to the Butkus Award Watch List for the nation’s best linebacker, College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Trophy Watch List and Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, which honors players who have made the biggest impact on their teams both on the field and off.
Williamson, who was captain in all 12 games for UK, was named a candidate for the 2013 Senior CLASS Award and a member of the SEC Community Service Team.
Williamson is the second Wildcat to participate in the NFLPA game. Kicker Craig McIntosh participated in last year’s contest.
