Earlier this year, Penn State seniors Adrian Amos and Mike Hull accepted invitations to play in the annual Reese's Senior Bowl. Today it was announced that the two of them won't be the only Nittany Lions at the game, as now-former offensive tackle Donovan Smith accepted an invitation to participate.
Congratulations to @DSmith_76, who will join Adrian Amos and Mike Hull in the 2014 @seniorbowl. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/hjTiXjK6I4
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 5, 2015
Smith came to Penn State in 2011 out of Owings Mills, MD. After redshirting during his freshman year, Smith earned a starting spot along the line in 2012. He appeared in 10 games, started nine of them and was a Big Ten All-Freshman selection. Smith was also a regular starter and anchored the offensive line during his sophomore and junior campaigns.
That isn't the only "former Penn State football players playing in an All-Star Game between now and the NFL Draft" news, as offensive lineman Miles Dieffenbach accepted an invitation to participate in the East-West Shrine Game.
Lineman Miles Dieffenbach has accepted his invitation to play in the 2014 @Shrine_Game, airing 1/17 on @nflnetwork. pic.twitter.com/3gmmC3l8pK
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 5, 2015
Dieffenbach came to Penn State as part of the school's 2010 recruiting class. After redshirting during his freshman year and not player during his sophomore campaign, he started at left guard in 11 games during the 2012 season. He started every game at the same position in 2013, and was in line to anchor the left side of the line with Smith heading into this season. However, due to a knee injury he suffered in the spring, Dieffenbach didn't play until this November.
The East-West Shrine Game will take place on Jan. 17, 2015, while the Senior Bowl is one week later on Jan. 24.
Congratulations, Donovan and Miles!