IRVINE, Calif. — The nation’s leading receiver, Maurice Price, announced Tuesday that he has accepted an invitation to play in the upcoming college all star game “Texas vs. The Nation.” Bert Briones, Price’s attorney and president of Hip Athletics, reports that the selection committee was pleased to add Price to the roster.
Generally, all-star rosters are reserved for seniors eligible for the upcoming NFL draft. However, last week, after Price announced his early entry into the NFL draft, he was recommended to the selection committee by Charleston Southern University Head Coach Jay Mills. The committee extended the invitation which Price accepted. Several potential early round NFL draft picks have also accepted invitations to play, including former Florida Gators defensive tackle Marcus Thomas.
Price and Thomas will be joined by fellow Gators senior defensive lineman Joe Cohen. They will join other highly-rated prospects like Miami, FL wide receiver Ryan Moore, LSU running back Justin Vincent, Missouri defensive lineman Xzavie Jackson, and James Madison quarterback Justin Rascati on a Nation roster that will face Texas’ best.
Following his outstanding junior season, Price was named to the Associate Press All-American team, The Sports Network All-American second-team, and was named to the College Sporting News Fabulous 50 FC All-Star team.
Price led all of Division I football in receiving last year with 103 receptions. Over the past two seasons, Price ranks third in receiving with 175 receptions in just 19 games. His receptions over that time rank him ahead of other early entry receivers such as Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State) Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio State) Dwayne Jarrett (USC) Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech) Robert Meachem (Tennessee) and Sydney Rice (South Carolina).
Price is currently training in Lake Forest, California with Todd Norman of the Cutting Edge. Mr. Norman reports Price has exhibited extraordinary athleticism during his first week of NFL Combine preparation. Price has jumped over 40 inches in the vertical leap and had an impressive 11-foot broad jump. His trainer also indicates that he has excellent speed. Last summer, Price was clocked at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash in his hometown of Orlando, Florida. The 21 year-old Price’s weight is 197 pounds with only 4.57 percent body fat, standing at 6-1 1/2.
Price has also been working with Coach Bill Cunerty who founded the West Coast Passing School in 1983, along with Mike Holmgren and Jim Fassel. Mr. Cunerty reports that Price has demonstrated outstanding skills and in some aspects shows greater talent than some of the first round draft picks he has coached at NFL Combine preparatory programs in recent years. “Maurice is a very special athlete,” Cunerty said this week.
The Texas vs. The Nation Game will be played at the Sun Bowl in El Paso Texas. The game will be nationally televised Friday, February 2, 2007 at 8pm MST on CSTV.
[tags]receiver Maurice Price, Hip Athletics Corp, Bert Briones, Coach Bill Cunerty, NFL draft[/tags]
