King, Mundine and McDonald Help Lead Wranglers to 10-7 in College Gridiron Showcase
LAWRENCE, Kan. – A trio of Kansas football players helped lead the Wranglers to a 10-7 win at the 2015 College Gridiron Showcase all-star game held at Maverick Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday afternoon. Nigel King, Jimmay Mundine and Dexter McDonald each sported the Jayhawk helmet for the final time as they pushed the total tally of KU players playing in postseason all-star games to seven.
King led the three KU players in production in the game as he hauled in five catches for 38 yards. Mundine, who lined up at fullback instead of his normal tight end position, caught one pass for 12 yards, McDonald saw action at cornerback, but did not record any statistics.
“It was a good opportunity to get in front scouts, talk to them let them and let them get to know me,” said King. “We got to go against some good competition. I think I was myself out there, all week and in the game. I came and did what I was supposed to do.”
Mundine also enjoyed the week and had a chance to run drills as both a tight end and in a newly suggested position of fullback.
“I think I showed them that I could block, as far as understanding what to do and being comfortable in the backfield as opposed to lining up next to a tackle on the line,” said Mundine, who only saw action in the first half of the game due to a minor ankle injury. “I showed people I can come out of the backfield and catch the ball. It was great for exposure. I got to talk to scouts and hear their feedback, which was very helpful.”
The College Gridiron Showcase was open to college players of all divisions and will showcase and provide exposure for top college senior football players from around the country. Participants were mentored and evaluated for six days in aspects of on-field performance and off-field character by professional football league scouts of the National Football League, Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League.
In his lone season as a Jayhawk, King hauled in 29 receptions for 518 yards and one touchdown. Included amongst his 29 receptions was a 78-yard highlight-reel catch against TCU that was considered one of the top plays in the NCAA in 2014.
Mundine concluded the 2014 season leading KU in receptions with 45, and receiving yards with 584. He also finished his career as a Jayhawk with the most touchdown receptions by a tight end with 11 scoring catches. The Denison, Texas native was honored as a John Mackey Award semifinalist as one of the top-six tight ends in the nation at the conclusion of the year. At season’s end, Mundine also earned an All-Big 12 Second Team nod by conference coaches, 247sports.com, ESPN.com, the Associated Press and Phil Steele Magazine.
McDonald started each of KU’s 12 games at cornerback and became the Jayhawks’ first Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week since 2010, after a two-interception performance in week one against SEMO. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, McDonald ranked second on the team and fifth in the league in pass breakups with 13, while finishing the year with two interceptions.
King, Mundine and McDonald joined safety Cassius Sendish (Medal of Honor Bowl), cornerback JaCorey Shepherd (Senior Bowl), wide receiver Nick Harwell (NFLPA Collegiate Bowl) and linebacker Ben Heeney (East-West Shrine Game) as Jayhawks selected to play in all-star games.
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