Crowder, Tomlinson accept invitations to Senior Bowl

For the first time in 25 years, a pair of Blue Devil seniors will play beyond this year's bowl game.

Wide receiver Jamison Crowder and right guard Laken Tomlinson have accepted invitations to play in the 66th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. The game will be held at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., and will be televised by the NFL Network.

With both players accepting their invitations, it will make the first time since 1989—when Clarkston Hines and Chris Port were selected—that Duke will have multiple representatives at the Senior Bowl.

In Crowder's 50 career games, he has hauled in 268 receptions for 3,437 yards and 22 touchdowns. His receptions mark is only 15 behind the ACC record set by fellow Blue Devils Conner Vernon, a 2012 graduate. He also ranks second in the conference in career reception yards, trailing Vernon by 312 heading into Saturday's tilt. He leads Duke with 70 receptions and 840 yards so far this season.

Tomlinson bolsters an offensive line that ranks ninth in nation in sacks allowed and fourth in tackles for loss allowed. He is currently tied for the FBS lead among active offensive linemen with 50 consecutive starts. Earlier this month, Tomlinson was one of 11 student-athletes named to the FBS Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He was a CBSSports.com Midseason All-American Second Team selection and a Phil Steele Midseason All-American.

Duke will take on Wake Forest this Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium at 7 p.m. in its final regular season contest.