Eight Players Are Named to the Senior Bowl Roster

MOBILE, Ala. — Don Smith, the Mississippi State quarterback who led the Southeastern Conference in total offense the past two seasons, is among eight college players named Thursday to the Jan. 17 Senior Bowl roster.

Senior Bowl Executive Director Eric Tillman said that Smith is joined by quarterback Steve Gage and offensive guard David Alexander, both of Tlsa, tight end William Harris of Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, defensive lineman Bruce Mesner of Maryland, defensive end Tony Woods and offensive tackle Randy Dixon of Pittsburgh, and linebacker Dennis Gibson of Iowa State.

Other players will be named in the weeks leading up to the game, Tillman said.

Smith, of Hammilton, Miss., completed 120 of 244 passes for 1,609 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, and rushed for 740 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries.

A 5-foot-11, 201-pounder, Smith owns virtually every Bulldog offensive record and is expected to sign a contract to play quarterback in the Canadian Football League.

Smith was often referred to as the best athlete in the SEC last season, but Ole Miss coach Billy Brewer went a step beyond that in describing him.

“I know we’ve had some good ones in the SEC, including Archie Manning, but I feel Smith is the finest athlete to ever play in this conference,” said Brewer. “He is a game in himself.”

The Senior Bowl kicks off at 12 noon with the North squad against the South team and will be televised nationally via the MIZLOU Network and USA Cable Network.