Alabama Will Be Represented by 10 Players in Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl has snared a record 10 players from the University of Alabama, including All-American linebacker Cornelius Bennett.

Senior Bowl Director Eric Tillman said also slated to play in the Jan. 17 all-star game from Alabama are quarterback Mike Shula, wide receiver Al Bell, center Wes Neighbors, linebacker Wayne Davis, nose guard Curt Jarvis, placekicker Van Tiffin, defensive backs Freddie Robinson and Britton Cooper and wide receiver Greg Richardson.

“It’s a large group -- the largest ever from one school -- but it’s justified,” Tillman said. “We go after the best available talent, and NFL scouts say Alabama has one of the outstanding senior classes in the nation.”

Last year, seven players from Auburn were invited to the Senior Bowl.

Robinson, Cooper and Richardson played their high school ball in Mobile, Cooper said it has been his dream to return to Ladd Stadium.

“When I was growing up, I saw the Senior Bowl games. Then in my senior year at UMS, I got to work in the Senior Bowl.

“I always thought if I could come back, it would be quite an honor,” he said.

Senior Bowl officials announced last week that John Robinson of the Rams will coach the South squad and John Mackovic of the Kansas City Chiefs will coach the North team.

The Senior Bowl and the National Football League had agreed that the coaches of the first two football teams eliminated from the NFL playoffs would be the Senior Bowl coaches, Tillman said.

The Rams lost to the Washington Redskins, while the Chiefs lost to the New York Jets last Sunday in the playoffs.

“We are very fortunate to have such fine coaches, such fine gentlemen,” Tillman said. “They will, I feel, enhance the image of our game.”