James Sims Selected To Play In NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas standout running back James Sims has accepted an invitation to play in the 2014 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 18. The game will kick off at 5 p.m. (CT), from the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Sims, who will suit up for the National team at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, was the Big 12’s leading rusher in conference games with 92.1 yards per contest and finished the 2013 campaign ranked second in the league with 1,110 yards overall. That mark made Sims the first player in Kansas history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Sims rushed for at least 70 yards in nine of 12 games this season, including a career-best 211 and three touchdowns in KU’s win over West Virginia.

A two-time All-Big 12 performer and a native of Irving, Texas, Sims closed his Kansas career among the leaders in several categories. Sims’ 3,592 rushing yards rank third on KU’s all-time charts, his 34 career rushing touchdowns is second, and his breakout performance against the Mountaineers was the 15th-best single-game rushing total by a Kansas player.

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be televised live on ESPN2. ESPNU will also air live broadcasts from practices on Wednesday, January 15 (9 a.m.–11 a.m.; 12–2 p.m. CT) and Thursday, January 16 (9 a.m.–11 a.m.; 12:30–2:30 p.m. CT).

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.

Five Jayhawks participated in the 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl as Dayne Crist, Trevor Marrongelli, Toben Opurum, Josh Williams and Duane Zlatnik made the trip out to California for the week’s activities. Crist earned MVP honors after leading his National team to a 34-0 win in the game.

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