University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Photo by: Mike Dunlop
Smith, Bailey and Buchanan Jr. to Play In Gridiron Showcase
12/31/2016 12:05:00 PM | Football
BEDFORD, Texas - Aaron Bailey, Ray Buchanan Jr. and Tyvis Smith have all accepted invitations to play in the 2017 College Gridiron Showcase, taking place Jan. 7-11 Pennington Field in Bedford, Texas.
The 2017 College Gridiron Showcase & Symposium will last 5 days, with the players selected by a panel of football experts. The players will receive professional coaching, mentoring, life coaching and seminars that will benefit them as they move forward in their professional lives in or out of football.
Smith, Bailey and Buchanan Jr. are three of 11 athletes representing the Missouri Valley Football Conference at the showcase, with Illinois State being the only other school from the Valley with three players representing them at the all-star game.
The three Panthers will participate in practices and a controlled scrimmage in front of scouts and executives in the NFL and CFL. The players will also attend meetings, practice, perform individual drills, team drills and have personal interviews with scouts.
Bailey, who transferred to UNI from Illinois, finished his career in the top-20 all-time at UNI in career rushing yards (1,751) and tied for eighth in career rushing touchdowns (25). He also set a single-season record for rushing touchdowns (19) in 2015.
Smith led the team in rushing yards in 2016, racking up 597, averaging 4.3 per carry and 54.3 per game. His 6-2 frame proved troublesome for opposing defenses, also coming away with 145 receiving yards. He scored four touchdowns in 2016.
Buchanan Jr. struggled through injuries during his time at UNI, but showed his quickness and skill set when coming in at cornerback for the Panthers this season. He had 17 tackles with three passes defended, also earning the starting nod against Western Illinois.
The week will culminate with the all-star game on Jan. 11. For more information on the College Gridiron Showcase, or for hotel and ticket information, visit their website here.
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The 2017 College Gridiron Showcase & Symposium will last 5 days, with the players selected by a panel of football experts. The players will receive professional coaching, mentoring, life coaching and seminars that will benefit them as they move forward in their professional lives in or out of football.
Smith, Bailey and Buchanan Jr. are three of 11 athletes representing the Missouri Valley Football Conference at the showcase, with Illinois State being the only other school from the Valley with three players representing them at the all-star game.
The three Panthers will participate in practices and a controlled scrimmage in front of scouts and executives in the NFL and CFL. The players will also attend meetings, practice, perform individual drills, team drills and have personal interviews with scouts.
Bailey, who transferred to UNI from Illinois, finished his career in the top-20 all-time at UNI in career rushing yards (1,751) and tied for eighth in career rushing touchdowns (25). He also set a single-season record for rushing touchdowns (19) in 2015.
Smith led the team in rushing yards in 2016, racking up 597, averaging 4.3 per carry and 54.3 per game. His 6-2 frame proved troublesome for opposing defenses, also coming away with 145 receiving yards. He scored four touchdowns in 2016.
Buchanan Jr. struggled through injuries during his time at UNI, but showed his quickness and skill set when coming in at cornerback for the Panthers this season. He had 17 tackles with three passes defended, also earning the starting nod against Western Illinois.
The week will culminate with the all-star game on Jan. 11. For more information on the College Gridiron Showcase, or for hotel and ticket information, visit their website here.
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