Florida, Alabama Stars Part Of Senior Bowl Visit To Blue Wahoos Stadium

Florida Gators receiver Van Jefferson and Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings produced instant impressions for the South team Tuesday on the first day of the Reese's Senior Bowl practices in Mobile.
Both rising NFL prospects will be in Pensacola on Friday to attend a special free event from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium as part of the Reese's Senior Bowl Caravan. The stadium gates will open at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
In a partnership with the Blue Wahoos and the Reese's Senior Bowl, this is the second year of a prelude event at the bayfront stadium prior to Saturday's 71st annual all-star game (1:30 p.m.) at Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Jefferson and Jennings will be part of a 45-minute youth football clinic for ages 6-14 on the field. David Wilson, coordinator of Studer/55 Community Athletics, which has operated the popular NFL Flag Pensacola youth flag football league co-sponsored by Blue Wahoos team owner Quint Studer and Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, will handle the clinic instruction.
That will be followed by an autograph session with the Reese's Senior Bowl players on the stadium concourse. The public is invited to attend the event and check out future pro football talent.
"We continue to make inroads in the Pensacola community," said Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy earlier this month. "We are so close, a 45 to 50 minute drive (from downtown Mobile) is nothing. And we are really trying to grow this game on the Gulf Coast. I think last year having some players come over to that market was a really good thing."
A year ago, five of the six players who participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl Caravan in Pensacola were chosen in the NFL Draft and played their rookie season in 2019.
Jefferson, who caught 49 passes and six touchdowns for the Gators in 2019, is on verge of a rare football feat. His father, Shawn Jefferson, played 13 NFL seasons as a receiver and is now an assistant coach on the New York Jets staff.
Van Jefferson is one of five Florida players this week at Senior Bowl practices. He caught attention in Tuesday's first practice at the Senior Bowl with his variety of skills.
Jennings was Alabama's third-leading tackler in 2019 with 83 stops, including 45 solo tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. He played outside linebacker for the Crimson Tide, but showed NFL scouts Tuesday his ability to handle being an inside linebacker during drills.
He is one of four Alabama players in the game, along with former Alabama quarter Jalen Hurts, who completed his final year of college eligibility as the Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback. He will wear a custom-made helmet in the game that will be Alabama styled on one side, Oklahoma style on the other.
They are among 32 players from the Southeastern Conference on the South team roster. The Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff, who possess the No. 1 pick, are coaching the South squad. The Detroit Lions staff is coaching the North squad.
Due to the hectic schedule for the players all week during the lead up to the Senior Bowl game, Friday is the only opportunity for events like Friday's caravan to occur.
In addition to the Pensacola visit, other Senior Bowl players will visit local hospitals in Mobile, as well as participate in a full team autograph session Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the Mobile Convention Center.
At 6:30 p.m. Friday, the players will all be part of a Mardi Gras style parade in downtown Mobile.
Tickets for Saturday's Senior Bowl are available and priced at $10, $20 and $30. They can be purchased online at www.seniorbowl.com.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Reese's Senior Bowl Caravan Pensacola
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. -- 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
ADMISSION: Free
PLAYERS: Confirmed so far are Florida WR Van Jefferson, Alabama LB Anfernee Jennings.
FORMAT: Gates open at 9:30 a.m.. Concessions will be available. On field activities for youth players from 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Fan autographs (all ages) from 10:45--11:30 a.m. on home plate concourse area.