Nick Harwell to Play in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Saturday

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas wide receiver Nick Harwell has been tabbed to play in the 2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. (CT), Saturday, Jan. 17, from the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
 
Harwell started all 12 games for the Jayhawks in 2014, and was the first KU player to catch multiple touchdown passes in a game since 2011 when he snagged two scoring reception against both SEMO and Baylor. He finished the season as KU’s second-leading receiver with 44 receptions, while ranking third among Jayhawk receivers with 470 receiving yards. Harwell topped all KU players with five receiving touchdowns.
 
The Missouri City, Texas native, was tabbed the Jayhawk Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a punt 76 yards for a score at West Virginia. He finished the 2014 campaign ranked second in the Big 12 in punt returns and earned third-team All-Big 12 honors from Phil Steele Magazine for his efforts. Additionally, he took home KU’s John Hadl Award as the team’s co-offensive Player of the Year, along with quarterback Michael Cummings.
 
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be televised live on ESPN2. ESPNU will also air live broadcasts from practices on Wednesday, Jan. 14 and Thursday, Jan. 15.
 
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 Mike Martz and American Team head coach Mike Holmgren, 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.
 
Kansas running back James Sims took part in the 2014 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, while five Jayhawks participated in the 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Dayne Crist (quarterback), Trevor Marrongelli (offensive line), Toben Opurum (fullback/defensive line), Josh Williams (defensive line) and Duane Zlatnik (offensive line) made the trip out to California for the week’s activities. Crist earned MVP honors in the 2013 game after leading his National team to a 34-0 win.
 
Harwell is one of four Jayhawk players playing in postseason all-star games. Linebacker Ben Heeney will also play on Saturday, Jan. 17 as he suits up for the West team in the East-West Shrine Game, while cornerback JaCorey Shepherd will participate in the Senior Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 24. Additionally, safety Cassius Sendish contributed three solo tackles for the American team in last weekend’s Medal of Honor Bowl.
 
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