Collins Selected for East-West Shrine Game

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Charlottesville, VA – Virginia defensive lineman Nate Collins (Port Chester, N.Y.) has accepted an invitation to play in the 85th East-West Shrine Game. This year’s contest will be held Jan. 23, 2010, in Orlando, Fla., kicking off at 3 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast by ESPN2.

A first-team All-ACC selection in 2009, Collins was second on the team with 77 total tackles. He ranked fifth in the ACC with 6.0 sacks. He started all 12 games and set a career high with 16 tackles against then No. 11 Georgia Tech. Collins also snared his first career interception and returned it 32 yards for the go-ahead touchdown at Maryland. His efforts in those two contests earned him ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. Following the conclusion of the season he was tabbed the Touchdown Club of Richmond’s Defensive Lineman of the Year for the state.

“The East-West Shrine Game has always fielded players among college football’s best,” said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Jack Hart. “With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coaches and scouts during game week, our players have the terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL … ‘Just Like on Sunday.'”

Proceeds from the game benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international pediatric specialty health care system.

For more information about the East-West Shrine Game, please visit www.shrinegame.com.