Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Pat O'Connor Garners NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Invitation
12/24/2016 12:57:00 PM | Football
Defensive end to play Jan. 21 on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University senior defensive end Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita) has committed to play in the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl according to an announcement by the association.
The Sixth Annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl all-star game is scheduled to be played on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the StubHub Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. (EST) and will be televised on FS1.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is the 13th different individual postseason all-star game an EMU student-athlete has been selected to participate in. In total, 20 different players have received invitations to play in these bowl games since 1977. Last year, running back Darius Jackson played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Invitation while linebacker Great Ibe participated in the Tropic Bowl All Star Game
O'Connor was the team leader on a much improved defensive unit for EMU in 2016. In his final season, O'Connor set the EMU sack record since 1998 by getting to the quarterback 20.0 times in his career. In total on the season, the Chicago native sacked the QB a team-high 8.5 times, which was good for 41st in the country and fifth in the MAC. In addition, O'Connor had 42 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 16 QB hurries, and five forced fumbles, and was one of just 10 players in the nation with five or more forced fumbles on the season. He finished his career as the games played leader, sack leader, QB hurries leader, and forced fumbles leader, while also finishing third on the tackles for loss with 33.5.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl experience is much more than a game for the participating players. For one week, participants will receive an in-depth introduction to their future union. The NFLPA, which is celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2017, is the primary resource for players for information on the business of football and how to succeed in the NFL and in their post-football careers.
It is unknown at this point as to which team O'Connor will be on, but the coaches for the game will be former NFL offensive coordinator Jim Zorn, as well as former St. Louis Rams coach and NFL coordinator Mike Martz.
For more information about the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate visit http://collegiate.nflpa.com.
About the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl:
Founded in 2012, the annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl gives prospective players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. Nearly 200 scouts, player personnel staff, general managers and head coaches from all 32 NFL teams are expected be in attendance to watch live practices, conduct player interviews and review tape. Participants in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl have the unique opportunity to network with and learn from current and former NFL players. These veterans provide players with first-hand insight on what it takes to win on and off the field. Since its inception, many players have gone on to begin careers in professional football, with notable Collegiate Bowl alumni including Seattle Seahawks quarterback Trevone Boykin (2016 alum), San Diego Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown (2016), Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (2015) and Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (2012).
The Sixth Annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl all-star game is scheduled to be played on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the StubHub Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. (EST) and will be televised on FS1.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is the 13th different individual postseason all-star game an EMU student-athlete has been selected to participate in. In total, 20 different players have received invitations to play in these bowl games since 1977. Last year, running back Darius Jackson played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Invitation while linebacker Great Ibe participated in the Tropic Bowl All Star Game
O'Connor was the team leader on a much improved defensive unit for EMU in 2016. In his final season, O'Connor set the EMU sack record since 1998 by getting to the quarterback 20.0 times in his career. In total on the season, the Chicago native sacked the QB a team-high 8.5 times, which was good for 41st in the country and fifth in the MAC. In addition, O'Connor had 42 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 16 QB hurries, and five forced fumbles, and was one of just 10 players in the nation with five or more forced fumbles on the season. He finished his career as the games played leader, sack leader, QB hurries leader, and forced fumbles leader, while also finishing third on the tackles for loss with 33.5.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl experience is much more than a game for the participating players. For one week, participants will receive an in-depth introduction to their future union. The NFLPA, which is celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2017, is the primary resource for players for information on the business of football and how to succeed in the NFL and in their post-football careers.
It is unknown at this point as to which team O'Connor will be on, but the coaches for the game will be former NFL offensive coordinator Jim Zorn, as well as former St. Louis Rams coach and NFL coordinator Mike Martz.
For more information about the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate visit http://collegiate.nflpa.com.
About the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl:
Founded in 2012, the annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl gives prospective players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. Nearly 200 scouts, player personnel staff, general managers and head coaches from all 32 NFL teams are expected be in attendance to watch live practices, conduct player interviews and review tape. Participants in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl have the unique opportunity to network with and learn from current and former NFL players. These veterans provide players with first-hand insight on what it takes to win on and off the field. Since its inception, many players have gone on to begin careers in professional football, with notable Collegiate Bowl alumni including Seattle Seahawks quarterback Trevone Boykin (2016 alum), San Diego Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown (2016), Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (2015) and Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (2012).
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