Jan. 4, 2005
Columbia, Mo. -
University of Missouri senior linebacker James Kinney (Kankakee, Ill.) has accepted an invitation to play in The Villages Gridiron Classic College All-Star Game. The game will be played at The Villages Polo Stadium, in The Villages, Fla., on Saturday, January 15, 2005. Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. (CST), and will be shown to a national cable audience on ESPN2.
Kinney recently wrapped up a stellar career for Mizzou, as he broke the MU record for most tackles in a career, with 434. He had 112 stops as a senior, and was a primary reason why Mizzou's defense became one of the most improved units in the Big 12 Conference.
The Villages Gridiron Classic claims to be the fastest-growing college all-star game in the nation, and has seen 130 alumni of the game drafted into the NFL in its seven years of existence, while more than 275 players have signed NFL free agent contracts. Players will spend a week in Orlando preparing for the game, where they will practice in front of professional scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
Kinney will be the 8th Tiger to play in the game. In 2004, former Tigers Zack Abron, Rob Droege and Michael Harden all played in the contest, and each one eventually went on to secure free agent contracts with NFL teams.
Kinney will join two other Tiger seniors who have previously been selected for other all-star contests. Defensive tackle Atiyyah Ellison will play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on January 29th (televised at 2 p.m. on ESPN). Also playing in an all-star game will be wide receiver Thomson Omboga, who will play in the Las Vegas All-American Classic, in Las Vegas, Nev., on January 22nd.
