McAnderson And McClinton To Play In East-West Shrine Game
Jan. 8, 2008
<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas seniors Brandon McAnderson and James McClinton have been invited to play in the annual East-West Shrine football all-star game later this month.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The game will take place at the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium on Jan. 19. Both players will compete for the West team, which will be coached by former California, Illinois and Oakland Raiders coach Mike White. The East team will be coached by Dick Vermeil.
Players will report to Houston on Jan. 12 and visit the Shriners Hospitals on the 13th. The teams will practice each day beginning Jan. 14.
“I am excited about getting to meet with the kids in the hospital,” McAnderson said.
McAnderson, a 6-0, 235-pound, running back from Lawrence, Kan., rushed for 1,125 yards this season to tie for eighth on the school’s season rushing list. McAnderson also rushed for 16 touchdowns, one shy of the school record held by June Henley.
McAnderson rushed for 100 yards in five different games, including a career-high 183 at Texas A&M. He had entered the season with a total of 228 rushing yards in his previous three seasons.
“It is an opportunity to play against the best players in the country and I am looking forward to it,” McAnderson said.
McClinton, a 6-1, 285-pound, defensive tackle from Garland, Texas, was a second-team Associated Press All-American, as well as the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2007. McClinton finished the year with 39 tackles, including 11 for loss.
McClinton’s quickness made him one of the more difficult players in the nation to block as he finished with 29 career tackles for loss.
“It should be a good experience,” McClinton said. “It is another game that I can exhibit my skills to the scouts.”
Last year former Jayhawk running back Jon Cornish played in the East-West game. He was the game’s leading rusher with 43 yards on 13 carries. In addition, former Jayhawk Gale Sayers was inducted into the East-West Hall of Fame in 2007.
