Four Dawgs Invited To Senior Bowl

FOOTBALL

Four members of the Georgia football team have been extended -- and accepted -- invitations to participate in the 2012 Senior Bowl later this month in Mobile, Alabama.
Cornerback Brandon Boykin, punter Drew Butler, offensive tackle Cordy Glenn and center Ben Jones will play in the Senior Bowl, which will kick off at 4 p.m. on January 28th.

The game and all of the practices will be shown on the NFL Network.

"Georgia had one of the more remarkable winning streaks in the country this season, and there's no doubt these four seniors played a big role in the Dawgs reeling off 10 straight victories to claim the Eastern Division title," Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said. "We're confident this group will take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the NFL decision makers."

Boykin was a second team All-SEC selection by the league coaches and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist in 2011 after recording 48 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, three interceptions, nine pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. A threat in the return game as well, Boykin added 780 kickoff return yards and 88 punt return yards. He was also used on the offensive side of the ball this year, rushing for 95 yards and a score and catching four passes for 58 yards and another touchdown. For his career, the Fayetteville, native is Georgia's all-time leader in kickoff return yardage with 2,593, which ranks second on the SEC's all-time list. Boykin is also the only player in SEC history with three 100-yard plays of any kind. He enters Monday's Outback Bowl against Michigan State with 152 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, nine interceptions and 18 pass breakups.

Butler was an Honorable Mention All-SEC selection by the Associated Press this season. He punted 51 times for 2,260 yards, averaging 44.3 yards per punt, which ranks second in the SEC and 13th in the country. He had 16 punts of 50 yards or more and downed 19 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. The son of former NFL great and 1985 Senior Bowler Kevin Butler, Drew set an SEC Championship Game record against LSU with a 51.6 yards per punt average, including a season-long 62 yarder. Butler enjoyed his best season as a sophomore, taking home the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter and earning unanimous first team All-America honors in the process. For his career, the Duluth, native has punted for 7,283 yards, averaging 45.5 yards per punt. He's had 56 punts of 50 yards or more and booted 58 punts inside the 20-yard line. A member of UGA's Team of the Decade, Butler's career long punt came in 2009 -- a 75-yarder against Oklahoma State.

Glenn was a third team AP All-American in 2011 and first team All-SEC pick by both the AP and league coaches. The left tackle from Riverdale, anchored an offensive line that ranked third in the SEC in total offense this year, averaging 413.85 yards per game. Glenn currently ranks second all-time in school history in starts for an offensive lineman with 49. His next start against Michigan State will tie him with former Senior Bowler Clint Boling for the school mark for offensive linemen.

The 2012 Senior Bowl will be a homecoming of sorts for Jones. The Centreville, Alabama, native landed on both the AP and Coaches All-SEC second teams in 2011.

He was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the best center in the nation and was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice this season.

Jones was named to UGA's Team of the Decade and has made 48 career starts, ranking third all-time in school history for an offensive lineman