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Smith, Dieffenbach Accept Separate Collegiate All-Star Game Bids

Two of Penn State’s offensive linemen will be given a chance to showcase their skill-sets and boost their NFL Draft stock in two of the most distinguished collegiate all-star contests in the months leading up to the draft. Donovan Smith has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, while Miles Dieffenbach was added to the East-West Shrine Game roster.

The Senior Bowl is undoubtedly the premier draft audition — excluding the NFL Scouting Combine– for players who have completed their collegiate eligibility. Smith will represent Penn State in Mobile, Ala. along with safety Adrian Amos and linebacker Mike Hull, while serving as the 31st Penn Stater in the last 15 years to accept an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and the 111th Penn Stater all time to compete in the game. Smith announced last week that he decided to forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Smith started 31 of 37 games at left tackle over the course of his Penn State career, while missing only two games in 2014 due to injury. He was named to the preseason Outland Trophy watch list prior to the start of the 2014 season.

The game will be played at Lane-Peebles Stadium, with kickoff slated for 4:00 p.m. on Jan. 24. The two teams will be led by coaching staffs from the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively, and will be broadcasted on the NFL Network.

The East-West Shrine Game also allows NFL Draft hopefuls to prove their worth to scouts in live-game situations. The game pits players from eastern-based schools against those from western-based schools. With his addition to the East team’s roster, Dieffenbach becomes the 75th Penn Stater to compete in the game, joining former Nittany Lion greats like Daryll Clark and Gerald Hodges who previously played in the game. Dieffenbach missed the first eight games of the 2014 season, but was able to return and close out the regular season, ending his career with a Pinstripe Bowl victory.

The East-West Shrine Game will take place on Jan. 17 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fl., and will also be broadcasted on the NFL Network. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

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About the Author

David Abruzzese

David is a senior from Rochester, NY, nestled right in beautiful Western New York. He is majoring in Broadcast Journalism, and as an avid sports fan, he passionately supports the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. He is the first Penn Stater from his family, and couldn’t be prouder to represent Penn State University. In his free time, he likes to alpine ski, and play golf. You can follow him on Twitter @abruz11, and can contact him via email at [email protected].

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