PROVO -- While several players around the country are hanging up their football gear for the season, seven former BYU players have been invited to participate in three of the six post-season all-star games.
John Denney, Aaron Francisco, Matt Payne and Brady Poppinga are slated to represent BYU at the Hula Bowl in Maui on Jan. 22, while Brandon Heaney, Shaun Nua and Scott Young will travel to Las Vegas to represent the Cougars in the first-ever All-American Classic at Sam Boyd Stadium on January 22. Francisco, Payne and Poppinga have also been invited to participate in the 80th annual East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco on Jan 15.
As an all-star game participant, players will have the opportunity to practice and play in front of scouts from nearly every team in the NFL. Of the 100 players who participated in last season's East-West Shrine Game, 40 players were drafted, while another 50 signed free-agent contracts with NFL programs.
"This is a great way for these kids to get some well-deserved exposure in front of the NFL scouts," strength coach Jay Omer said. "They have worked hard over the past season and deserve a shot to see what they can do against some of the country's best football players."
Arguably one of the most prestigious all-star games is the East-West Shrine Game. Gearing up for the 80th game, the East-West Shrine Game has a long history of distinguished players and coaches in the game. This season, the West team will be coached by Oregon State's Mike Riley, while the East team will be under the direction of Purdue coach Joe Tiller.
Off the field, the East-West Shrine Game plays another purpose--helping to support Shriners Hospitals for Children. Every year since 1925, the Shrine Game has been played to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care available--at no cost--at all 22 Shriners Holspitals for Children. To date, the game has raised more than $14 million for Shriners Hospitals.
Formerly the Paradise Bowl, the All-American Classic was moved from St. George, Utah to Las Vegas last season in an effort to improve the game's visibility. Boasting "America's largest college all-star football game" with 110 athletes, the All-American classic will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net to all Western states and throughout the Midwest.
In the 59th edition of the Hula Bowl, Oregon's Mike Bellotti and Georgia's Mark Richt will coach the two teams, Kai (ocean) and Aina (land). The teams will not be divided by regions to allow coaches more flexibility in assigning players to teams. Players will have a busy week of activities, including autograph sessions, NFL workouts, a luau, a surfing contest, a golf tournament and other charity events.
BYU ALL-STARS
6-6, 275, Defensive End
Thornton, CO (Ricks JC)
Hula Bowl (All-Star Game)
27 tackles on the season (13 solos, 14 assisted)
8.5 tackles for a combined loss of 40 yards
4.0 sacks
6-2, 206, Safety
Laie, HI (Kahuku HS)
All-Mountain West Conference (first-team)
East-West Shrine Game (All-Star Game)
Hula Bowl (All-Star Game)
Started at safety in all 11 games
Played in 49 straight games during his career
88 tackles on the season (43 solos, 45 assisted)
4.5 tackles for a combined loss of 9 yards
1.0 sack
1 interception for a 34-yard return
7 pass break-ups
5-11, 185, Defensive Back
Trabuco Hills, CA (Air Force Academy)
All-American Classic -- Las Vegas (All-Star Game)
Saw limited action during the season, suffering a broken arm against UNLV
Started in 7 games during the season
39 tackles (22 solos, 17 assisted)
2.5 tackles for a combined loss of 4 yards
1 interceptions
8 pass break-ups
6-5, 270, Defensive End
Pago Pago, American Samoa (E. Arizona JC)
All-Mountain West Conference (second-team)
All-American Classic -- Las Vegas (All-Star Game)
Played in all 11 games this season
34 tackles (17 solos, 17 assisted)
8.0 tackles for a combined loss of 46 yards
6.0 sacks for a combined loss of 36 yards
6-4, 235, Kicker/Punter
North Ogden, Utah (Weber HS)
NCAA Record Holder (14 consecutive field goals from 40-49 yards)
BYU Record Holder (67 consecutive PAT's)
Mountain West Career Record Holder (54 field goals made)
Mountain West Career Record Holder (156 PAT's made)
Mountain West Career Record Holder (45.4 yards-per-punt average)
Mountain West Senior Record Holder (79-yard punt vs. No. 1 USC)
AFCA All-American (first-team)
The Sporting News All-American (first-team)
Associated Press All-American (second-team)
All-Mountain West Conference (first-team punter)
All-Mountain West Conference (second-team kicker)
Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
Ray Guy Award Semifinalist
East-West Shrine Game (All-Star Game)
Hula Bowl (All-Star Game
Russell Athletic ESPN Player of the Game (vs. Notre Dame)
Mountain West Conference Player of the Week (Sept. 6 vs. Notre Dame)
Mountain West Conference Player of the Week (Sept. 20 vs. No. 1 USC)
Mountain West Conference Player of the Week (Oct. 4 vs. Colorado State)
Mountain West Conference Player of the Week (Oct. 25 vs. Air Force)
Mountain West Conference Player of the Week (Nov. 8 vs. San Diego State)
MWC Overall Statistical Leader (45.3 yards per punt)
MWC Statistical Leader (44.5 yards per punt vs. Conference opponents)
MWC Statistical Leader (7.1 points per game vs. Conference opponents)
MWC Statistical Leader (41.6 yards net punting average)
15-of-22 field goals (68.2 pct.) -- 8-of-11 from 40-49 yards
Twice recorded field goals of 53 yards during the season
Led the team with 75 points on the season
62 punts for 2,808 yards, averaging 45.3 yards per punt
Posted a career-high 79-yard punt against No. 1 USC
6-3, 257, Linebacker
Evanston, WY (Evanston HS)
All-Mountain West Conference (first-team)
East-West Shrine Game (All-Star Game)
Hula Bowl (All-Star Game
Mountain West Career Record Holder (20 sacks)
Started all 11 games at linebacker
79 tackles (35 solos, 44 assisted)
12.0 tackles for a combined loss of 53 yards
6.0 sacks for a combined loss of 40 yards
5 quarterback hurries
2 fumble recoveries; 1 forced fumble
6-5, 312, Offensive Line
Salt Lake City, UT (Dixie JC)
All-Mountain West Conference (second-team)
All-American Classic -- Las Vegas (All-Star Game)
Started all 11 games at offensive guard
Provided pass protection for BYU's top-ranked passing offense (vs. MWC opp.) -- 277.1 y/game