Shaw's Moss, Okonji, Smith Named To HBCU Bowl Team

Shaw's Moss, Okonji, Smith Named To HBCU Bowl Team
Senior All-Star Game to Be Held December 19 in Montgomery, AL

November 16, 2009

(Montgomery, AL) – The HBCU Bowl today announced that Shaw’s Dwayne Moss, De’Andre Okonji, and Quintez Smith have been named to the East Team in the First Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl.

“These young men earned this recognition, and we’re happy that they will have the opportunity not simply to play, but also to go through a combine that will expose them to scouts from various professional leagues,” said Shaw Head Coach Darrell Asberry.

In addition to the game on December 19, the players will take part in a series of tests and workouts for scouts from the NFL, CFL, UFL, and Arena League 2.

The game will be held at the Cramton Bowl in Montomgery, AL at 2:00 p.m and broadcast nationally on CBS College Sports.

The three Bears will be part of an East Team comprised of players from Division II’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the NCAA FCS Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). They will face a West Team comprised of athletes from the NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and the FCS Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

Okonji (WR, Upland, CA) departs Shaw University holding every career receiving record (number of receptions, reception yardage, touchdowns receiving). He also tied the season record for touchdown receptions.

While Moss (DL, Petersburg, VA) was named Pre-Season All-CIAA, he played in only a handful of games this season, but still managed to amass six tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks.

Smith (CB, Dublin, GA) was named CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, as well as being selected First Team All-CIAA. He also earned Division II Defensive Player of the Week honors for his record setting performance against Elizabeth City State, where he bested the former mark on interception return yards with 194 yards for three touchdowns. On the season, he had four interception returns for touchdowns, as well as two fumble returns for touchdowns. He was third on the team in tackles with 49 and had 4.5 tackles for a loss as well as nine interceptions.

The Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl is a joint collaboration between Synergy Sports & Associates, Inc., Russell Athletic, and the Parks & Recreation Department of Montgomery, AL.