Markus Golden Accepts Invitation To Play In 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl
Mizzou Football senior defensive end Markus Golden has accepted his invitation to play in the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Golden totaled nine sacks on the season and 68 total tackles despite fighting through a hamstring injury on his way to earning All-SEC second team honors.
Phil Savage, Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director, said effort is never an issue with Golden.
“This All-SEC performer has a quick first step and plays with relentless effort,” he said in a press release. “NFL teams will want to see him play as an outside linebacker, too.”
The 6-foot-3 captain attended Hutchinson Junior College before joining the Mizzou Football family, where as a freshman he made 90 tackles and 10 sacks along with five forced fumbles. Last season, despite playing only about 40 percent of snaps, Golden led all Mizzou ends with 55 tackles.
This season, Golden has excelled as a starter. He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play against Tennessee.
Golden, who hails from St. Louis, has said that he and his family have loved Mizzou since he was little. However, his family has gotten a little bigger since attending Mizzou. He loves how Mizzou Football is one big, supportive family. This family environment is one of the biggest core values that head coach Gary Pinkel instills into the program.
The Senior Bowl has featured 17 Pro Football Hall of Famers in the past, and 15 former players have earned at least one Super Bowl ring.
Golden will be the 60th player to represent Mizzou in the bowl, joining many Mizzou greats including defensive back Roger Wehrli, who is a member of the All-Time Senior Bowl team. Former Mizzou defensive linemen Michael Sam played in the event last year and Ziggy Hood competed back in 2009.
There are also several former Mizzou Football players who took part in the Senior Bowl who are currently playing in the NFL, including Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Hood, Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore, and Tennessee Titans linebacker Zaviar Gooden.
The Senior Bowl has invited 110 players to help fill the rosters for both the North and South teams. Practices for the squads are scheduled to begin on January 20, 2015.
The Senior Bowl will be played on January 24, 2015 at 3 p.m. CT in Mobile, Alabama. Both the practices and the game will be televised on the NFL Network.
