Barker Closes out Career in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge

Story Links

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Virginia Cavaliers offensive lineman Will Barker will become the fourth senior from the 2009 football squad to close out his career in a senior all-star game, when he appears in the 2010 Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge. Kickoff for the February 6 event is scheduled for 2 p.m. (EST) at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. The fourth-annual game will be televised on CBS College Sports.

The game pits top collegiate players originally from Texas or who played college football in the state of Texas against top players from around the nation. Barker, a native of Bryn Mawr, Pa., will be on The Nation’s roster, coached by former legendary Miami (Fla.) head coach and current Florida Atlantic skipper, Howard Schnellenberger.

A durable piece of Virginia’s offensive line, Barker never missed a start in his four seasons, a span of 49 games. During Barker’s career the only player to come close in number of starts during the same four-year span was Vic Hall (36). In 2008 Barker helped anchor an offensive line that ranked No. 1 in the ACC in fewest sacks allowed (16). As a freshman in 2006, Barker was named a second-team Freshman All-American and an ACC All-Freshman by The Sporting News.

Barker will represent Virginia in the third different senior all-star bowl this year, following representatives in the East-West Shrine Game (Nate Collins) and the Under Armour Senior Bowl (Chris Cook & Rashawn Jackson).

Only in its fourth year, the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge had more than 40,000 fans in attendance last season, as 93 percent (111-of-119) of the 2009 roster went on to sign NFL contracts.

For more information about the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge, please visit www.texasvsthenation.com.