With just one game left in Tar Heel uniforms, some of the UNC football team’s most talented outgoing players are at the doorstep of their professional dreams.
A pair of those seniors–center Lucas Crowley and kicker Nick Weiler–inched closer to that reality on Wednesday when it was announced they had accepted invitations to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 21 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
According to the bowl’s official website, players are selected based on their potential to make an NFL roster.
The Mississippi River is generally used as the dividing point between the East and West teams, but exceptions are made to try and get the 100 best players possible to play in the game.
Current and former NFL coaches make up the staff for each team–giving players the best possible learning experience as they prepare for the draft.
Crowley earned Second Team All-ACC honors for UNC, thanks to his steady play in front of quarterback Mitch Trubisky–not to mention he was one of the only Tar Heel offensive linemen to stay healthy throughout the entirety of the regular season.
Weiler, on the other hand, grew into one of the most prolific kickers in school history after struggling early in his career. He converted on 20 of his 23 field goal attempts in 2015, while making 14 of his 19 kicks this season.
The senior also flashed much-improved leg strength when he provided one of the most memorable moments in recent UNC football history–a game-winning 54-yard field goal as time expired to beat then No. 12 Florida State on the road.
Both of these players will now have the chance to prove themselves first-hand to coaches and scouts at the next level.
Their performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl could very well have a significant impact on what the future has in store.
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