Dec. 15, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State senior defensive end Edgar Jones (Rayville, La./Rayville) has been invited to play in the second-annual Magnolia Gridiron Classic which will take place on Dec. 23 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss with a start time of 11 a.m.

Jones is one of three players from Ohio Valley Conference schools competing in the game, joining fellow seniors Markeseo Jackson and Rayvon Sims from OVC regular-season champion Tennessee-Martin.

"It's an honor and a privilege in being selected to play this game," Jones stated. "It gives I-AA players a chance to show what they've got against Division I competition."

The classic is geared towards college players whose teams have not invited to postseason competition, but have the potential to make it into the National Football League (NFL). The game will feature players from the NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision on one team and players from the Division I Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) on another team. Players from NCAA Division II and NAIA schools will fill out the final roster spots.

The 6-5, 250 pound Jones led the nation in quarterback sacks and ranked fourth nationally in tackles for losses. He averaged 1.2 quarterback sacks per game and 1.8 tackles for loss per game. Jones had a total of 53 tackles with 18 tackles for losses of 103 yards and 12 sacks for 88 yards in losses. He also had two quarterback hurries, two pass break ups and forced a fumble.

Players will report this Sunday before going through NFL evaluations and practices for the remainder of the week before the game.