Six Rams to represent CSU in collegiate all-star games

By Grant Larson
Athletics Communications

A total of six former Colorado State Rams have accepted invitations to postseason college football all-star games, which begin this week. In addition to the games themselves, NFL prospects have the opportunity to impress scouts and coaches during practices in the week leading up to each game.

C Jake Bennett – East-West Shrine Game
RB Dalyn Dawkins – NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
WR Michael Gallup – Senior Bowl
OL Zack Golditch – NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
QB Nick Stevens – East-West Shrine Game
DL Darnell Thompson – Tropical Bowl

"It's great that we have six players participating in all-star games," Head Coach Mike Bobo said. "They have all contributed so much to this football program and to the University, and they have certainly earned these opportunities."

A total of 18 Rams have played in postseason all-star games since Bobo took over as head coach in 2015 and CSU has had at least five players appear in all-star games every year since 2013. Below is a look at each of this year's participants, including information on each NFL Draft showcase game and how to watch.

SPIRAL Tropical Bowl | Daytona Beach, Fla. | Jan. 14, 7 a.m. MT | FloFootball
Defensive tackle Darnell Thompson will represent Colorado State in the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Jan. 14. More than 70 NFL and CFL scouts, including representatives from 26 NFL teams, were in attendance for the 2017 Tropical Bowl and over 110 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl alumni have gone on to the NFL since its inception in 2016.

A transfer from Highland (Kansas) Community College, Thompson joined the Rams in 2015 and played in 31 games with 25 starts in his career. As a senior in 2017, the Raleigh, N.C., native started all 13 games at defensive tackle and recorded 34 tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss.

Thompson officially reports to Daytona Beach on Friday, where the participants will undergo official measurements and meet with NFL scouts. The teams will practice Friday and Saturday afternoon, with game kickoff set for 7 a.m. MT on Sunday morning. The game can be streamed live through FloFootball here: http://SPIRAL Tropical Bowl Stream

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl | Pasadena, Calif. | Jan. 20, 2 p.m. MT | FS1
CSU will have two representatives in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in running back Dalyn Dawkins and offensive tackle Zack Golditch.

Dawkins was a standout running back for the Rams this season, posting 1,399 yards on the ground and adding 310 more yards receiving. His season rushing total is the fifth-most in program history, and moved him into third all-time in career rushing yards at CSU (3,185). He ran for 100-plus yards seven times this season, with a season-high 191 yards against Nevada on Oct. 14.

A three-year starter on one of the nation's top offensive lines, Golditch starred at left tackle this year on a unit that finished the regular season ranked fourth in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (0.67 per game). The Aurora, Colo., native was named first-team All-Mountain West following his senior season and was hailed by Pro Football Focus as one of the nation's best offensive tackles.

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be played on Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. MT and can be watched live on FS1. Played annually at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is attended by coaches and scouts from all 32 NFL teams. The week-long experience not only provides players with a chance to showcase their talents, but also prepares players for the business and lifestyle changes that come with being an NFL player.

East-West Shrine Game |St. Petersburg, Fla. | Jan. 20, 1 p.m. MT | NFL Network
Two staples of the Rams' offense for the last four years, center Jake Bennett and quarterback Nick Stevens, will play together on the West team in the annual East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 20 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

A Colorado native, Bennett has started every game at center for the last three seasons. In 2017, he blocked for an offense that finished the regular season ranked 10th in the country and allowed just 0.67 sacks per game. Bennett was named second-team All-Mountain West following his junior season before earning first-team All-Mountain West accolades as a senior. He was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List prior to the start of his senior season, an award given annually to the nation's most outstanding center.

Nick Stevens finished his CSU career as the school's all-time leader in passing touchdowns (70) and ranks second in program history with 8,550 career passing yards. Passing for 3,799 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2017, Stevens was named first-team All-Mountain West as a senior and finished the year ranked 13th in the nation in passing yards.

Kickoff for the 93rd East-West Shrine Game is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT on Saturday, Jan. 20 and will be broadcast live on NFL Network. An opportunity for players to work directly with NFL coaches and executives, the NFL will supply the coaching staffs for the two teams from among current league assistant coaches whose teams do not advance to the playoffs.

Reese's Senior Bowl | Mobile, Ala.| Jan. 27, 11:30 p.m. MT | NFL Network
Consensus All-American and Biletnikoff Award Finalist Michael Gallup will represent CSU in the annual Reese's Senior Bowl. Gallup becomes the 16th Colorado State Ram to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and the first since quarterback Garrett Grayson and offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo received the honor following the 2014 season. Sambrailo was a second-round draft selection of the Denver Broncos that year, while Grayson was selected in the third round by the New Orleans Saints.

The multi-talented receiver from Monroe, Ga., had a school-record 100 receptions for 1,413 yards (14.1) and seven touchdowns in his All-American senior campaign. He ranked fifth among FBS players in receiving yards and third in receptions per game (7.7). Gallup also led the nation in receptions of 10 yards or more (60) and ranked fifth in all scrimmage plays of 10 or more yards.

The Senior Bowl will be played on Jan. 27 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. While team rosters will not be announced until Jan. 17, it was announced this past week that the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans will coach the North and South teams, respectively. Kickoff for the game is slated for 11:30 p.m. MT and will be televised live on the NFL Network. Portions of practices during the week also will be televised by NFL Network.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results