Eden Prairie, MINN. - Mount Ida College defensive back Jovan Wilkins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) is in Dallas, Texas this week as a participant in the 19th annual All American Bowl, which will be played on December 23rd at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Through Wilkins, Mount Ida will be one of more than 70 colleges and teams represented by the players in this three day event, which includes a pro football scouting combine, a tour of the stadium, an All American awards banquet, and two football games – the All American Bowl College All-Star Game and the Strongcor All American Bowl Free Agent All Star Game.
Coming to the end of his spectacular Mount Ida career, Wilkins was named to the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) First Team for the third straight season in 2014. He has consistently been one of the most difficult players to throw against, and he had four interceptions and five pass breakups this season, while ending his Mustang career with 18 interceptions, far and away the statistical leader in Mount Ida history. Wilkins was also named an Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) North All-Star after his junior year in 2013.
Wilkins will join some of the top award winning players from each conference around the country, including a former ECFC opponent in running back Greg Caneparo from SUNY Maritime.
Coaches for the event include former arena football coach Chad Baldwin, Earnest Wilson III of Savannah State University, Ian Harris of Maryville College, Rico Cherico of Lane College, Christian Ozolins of SUNY Buffalo State and Steve Steele of Dakota State University.
The All American Bowl was founded in 1996 to give athletes the opportunity to compete against the best at their level in an all-star game setting. The All American Bowl was created to fill the void of the lack of all-star games available to athletes in High School, DII, DIII, JUCO, and minor league football. In April of 1996, the first All American Bowl was played in Minnesota and has since been played at various cities across the country including Atlanta, Miami, and Las Vegas. The All American Bowl also gives athletes the potential to be scouted by colleges and professional football teams. The All American Bowl has several types of games for different levels of competition that include: DII, DIII, JUCO, Minor League Football, Free Agent, and High School. The participants in the All American Bowls have been nominated for their outstanding performances throughout their season, their accomplished career, love for the game, a chance to be noticed, and a last chance to play the game we all love!