The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Charles participates in College Football All-Star Challenge
02.01.2008 | Football
Jamaal Charles, a 2007 First-Team All-Big 12 running back and Doak Walker Award semifinalist, spent a few days in Phoenix earlier this week participating in The 10th Annual State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge. The annual event that draws many of the nation's top out-going college football running backs, quarterbacks and kickers, was taped on Tuesday on the Arizona State campus, and airs this Saturday, Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. Central on ESPN.
"I had a great time meeting all of the guys and getting to know some of the great players that I watched every week around the country," Charles said. "They were really nice and we had fun competing with each other. When you play at a place like Texas, you get a lot of respect, and I'm sure that was one of the big reasons I got invited to this event. I was really honored that they asked me to come and had a lot of fun wearing my Longhorn jersey one last time."
One of the events leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl, Charles competed with three other former college running back stars and top NFL Draft prospects Mike Hart (Michigan), Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois) and Tashard Choice (Georgia Tech). The running back competitions ranged from pass catching drills, to blocking, agility and speed tests in three different obstacle course-type challenges.
"At Texas, they teach you to be a complete back so doing all of the drills at the event - blocking, catching passes, running routes, carrying the ball - were pretty easy for me. I can't thank Coach Brown enough for giving me a chance to play at Texas and helping me develop into the player I am. Coach Rucker and all of the offensive coaches do a great job of preparing guys for the league, and I'm working hard to make them proud and all of the Longhorn fans proud of me."
A group of former college quarterback and place-kicking stars also competed at the event.
Vince Young was the last Longhorn to compete in the event, capping his 2005 National Championship and Davey O'Brien Award-winning season with an appearance in the College Football All-Star Challenge.
