Jan. 7, 2009

   PITTSBURGH--The University of Pittsburgh football program will have strong representation in this month's college football all-star games.

   The Panthers will have four players participating in postseason games, including the Senior Bowl and Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge.

   Pitt's Senior Bowl participants include All-America linebacker Scott McKillop and long snapper Mark Estermyer. Played in Mobile, Ala., the game will be a 7 p.m. (ET) telecast on the NFL Network on January 24.

   McKillop enjoyed a highly decorated senior season in 2008. The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder was named to the 25-player All-America Team selected by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and additionally was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year by both league coaches and media.

   McKillop was one of the country's most prolific tacklers during the past two seasons. He had a team-high 137 stops as a senior and compiled 344 for his career to rank 10^th all-time at Pitt.                                            

   Estermyer was a valuable contributor to Pitt's record-setting kicking game. He finished his career as a four-year letterman and impressed the Senior Bowl selectors with his exceptional reliability at the all-important long snapper position.

   Fullback Conredge Collins and offensive lineman C.J. Davis will play in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge. The game, a CBS College Sports telecast, will be held January 31 at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas (3 p.m. ET).  

   A three-year starter at Pitt, Collins gained recognition as one of college football's most diverse fullbacks. More than a blocking back, he also excelled carrying the football and as a receiver out of the backfield.

   Davis was one of Pitt's most durable players, starting 43 consecutive games on the offensive line to close his career. The first-team All-Big East selection displayed his valuable versatility this year when he moved from his familiar left guard position to center due to injuries on the Panthers' offensive front.

   Pitt finished the 2008 season with a 9-4 overall record and 5-2 mark in Big East play to finish second in the league standings.

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