Jan. 25, 2008

MCKENZIE, Tenn. - Bethel (Tenn.) College running back Adrain Smith has been selected to play in the second annual Texas vs. The Nation Collegiate All-Star Bowl, announced by Bethel on Tuesday (Jan. 22). The game will be held in El Paso , TX on February 2, 2008 at 4:00pm CST and will be televised on CSTV.

Smith is officially on the Texas roster that will be coached by Gene Stallings. Stallings coached professional football for a total of 18 years, but he is probably best remembered as the head coach of Alabama that won the national championship in 1992. Coach Stallings will be opposed by former professional coach Buddy Ryan. Some notables joining Smith on the Texas roster are, QB Matt Flynn - LSU, FB/HB Chris Brown - Tennessee, DT/DE Antonio Reynolds - Tennessee and DE Xavier Mitchell - Tennessee.

Smith will see a familiar face on the opposition's team as RB Allen Ervin from Lambuth is on The Nation squad. Another West Tennessee invitee on The Nation team is WR Edward Williams of Lane College .

"It's a great opportunity for Adrain to showcase his talents on the national level," said Bethel College Offensive Coordinator Shaun Gaines . "I have no doubt that Adrain will represent himself and Bethel College in a positive manner. He has worked hard and I am happy to see him get this chance."

The game is a showcase for players to show their abilities to NFL, CFL and AFL scouts. Out of the 107-man roster for the inaugural Texas vs. the Nation all-star collegiate bowl last season, 78 players got a chance to test their abilities in the NFL. As of Monday, May 7, 2007, 72% of the roster had officially signed contracts with NFL teams.

Time and areas are set aside so that players can interview with the scouts and vice versa. The scouts are given player's room numbers so that they may leave messages or personally contact them. All of the NFL and most CFL and Arena teams will be sending scouts to the Bowl Game. The main reason scouts are attending the game is to have questionnaires filled out, watch the combine and have an opportunity to talk with players in a relaxed setting.

Smith is Bethel College 's all-time leading rusher. He helped the Wildcats make back to back NAIA playoff appearances, the only two in school history. The Wildcats finished the season Mid-South Conference West Division Champions and finished with a ranking of #5 in the nation.