Trio of Warriors to play in All-Star games

HONOLULU — Several former University of Hawai‘i football players will participate in college all-star games beginning with today’s East-West Shrine Game in which defensive back Ryan Mouton will suit up for the West Squad.

The 84th Annual East-West Shrine Game, one of the oldest and most respected of all the college all-star games, will take place at the University of Houston’s Robertson. Kick-off is 11 a.m. HST and will be televised on ESPN2.

 Mouton, an all-Western Athletic Conference first team selection, was an all-around player for the Warriors this season, even starting at slotback for a pair of games. Defensively, he was the team’s shutdown corner and had one interception which he returned 91 yards for a touchdown at New Mexico State.

 Next Saturday, defensive lineman David Veikune and long snapper Jake Ingram will compete in the Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

The game will take place at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 24. Kick-off is 2 p.m. HST and will be televised on the NFL Network.

The Senior Bowl is considered the premiere pre-draft all-star game which annually features the best senior college football stars and top NFL draft prospects. The North and South teams are coached by the entire coaching staffs from two NFL teams. Senior Bowl practices are also attended by more than 800 general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches, scouts, and other front office personnel from the 32 NFL teams.

Veikune, an all-WAC first team defensive end, was the team’s third leading tackler (73) and was among the WAC’s leaders with 16.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He also had 11 quarterback hurries and forced four fumbles.

Ingram, a three-year starter at long snapper, did not have one bad snap all season. He was recently rated among the top snappers in the country.

Last season, former Warriors Jason Rivers and Colt Brennan competed in the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl, respectively.