LSU's Welter to play in All-Star Game

BATON ROUGE – D.J. Welter’s final game in an LSU uniform ended in a disappointing 31-28 loss to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on Dec. 30 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee.
Fortunately, Welter and six other LSU seniors will have a chance to end their collegiate careers on a winning note.
Welter is one of seven LSU Tigers who will take part in college football all-star games over the next two weeks.
A former Notre Dame standout and Rayne native, Welter will be participating in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Carson, California on Jan. 17. The game is slated for a 3 p.m. kickoff and will be televised on ESPN.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is a premiere post-season All-Star game for draft-eligible college players. It was founded in 2012 and the annual game gives prospective NFL players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. In 2014, more than 140 NFL scouts, player personnel staff, general managers and head coaches attended the Collegiate Bowl practices and game.  Multiple other professional leagues had represenatives on hand as well.
Last year, former LSU fullback J.C. Copeland was named the most outstanding player in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after helping his team to a 31-17 victory in the game.
Welter, a linebacker, contributed as a starter in the middle of the Tigers’ defense for much of the last two seasons. A leader and veteran presence amongst a group of young linebackers, he finished the 2014 season with 35 tackles, one sack, one pass deflection, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
During his four-year career at LSU, Welter played in 34 games and racked up 122 tackles (32 solo, 90 assists) and nine sacks.
Welter will be on the National Team that will be under the guidance of NFL coaching legend Mike Martz. The coach of the American Team Mike Holmgren.
There will also be four other Tigers in action on Jan. 17. Running backs Kenny Hilliard and Terrence Magee, along with safety Ronald Martin and defensive end Jermauria Rasco will take part in the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The East-West Shrine Game, which is played at Tropicana Field, is the longest-running All-Star college football game.
The four Tigers playing in the Shrine Game will be on the East roster and will be coached by former NFL standout and NFL head coach Mike Singletary. Kickoff for the East-West Shrine Game is 3 p.m. and the contest will be televised by the NFL Network.
LSU’s La’el Collins and Connor Neighbors will be in action a week later when they play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Collins, a second team All-American selection at left tackle, and Neighbors, a two-year starter at fullback, will play for the South squad in the Senior Bowl, which kicks off at 3 p.m. on January 24. The game will be televised by the NFL Network.
The Senior Bowl is the nation’s most unique football game and football’s premier pre-draft event, annually featuring the country’s best senior collegiate football stars and top NFL draft prospects.