It is not every season that Eli fans will have the opportunity to watch one of their own in a nationally televised all-star game.

Nate Lawrie ’04, Yale’s premier tight end, who has already racked up many honors and records this season, will add another one to his resume. He will be the lone Ivy representative in the Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic, a game featuring some of the best players in Division I college football. The exhibition contest will take place at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium on the campus of Troy State University in Troy, Ala., and will be televised by ESPN2 Dec. 25 at 3 p.m.

Lawrie said he is excited about playing in the game.

“It’s a big game and a great honor to be selected,” Lawrie said. “There are lots of great players in it and hopefully I will play well.”

Lawrie finished the season with 72 receptions, which puts him sixth for receiving in Division I-AA, second in the Ivy League, and second all-time for the Bulldogs. It is also the record for catches by a tight end at Yale.

“I thought I had a great season, and 72 is way beyond my expectations,” Lawrie said.

His 116 career receptions also rank him second among all Eli receivers.

Lawrie is the first Eli to be selected to play in this all-star game since 1998, when offensive lineman Marek Rubin suited up for the Classic. In addition to being selected for this game, Lawrie was named first team All-Ivy and All-New England and was a New England Football Writers I-AA All-Star.

Jake Kohl ’04, the Elis’ starting right tackle, said that he is happy to watch a teammate and work-out partner play in the prestigious game on Christmas Day.

“This is a great honor for Nate,” Kohl said. “It’s going to be fun to talk with him afterwards and see how it all went.”

Kohl and Lawrie, two of Yale’s NFL hopefuls, have already started training and lifting to get ready for the Pro Agility Tests. Yale head coach Jack Siedlecki said Lawrie has a legitimate chance at getting drafted.

“His commitment has paid off and we have had many NFL teams in here to see him this year,” Siedlecki said.

Playing well at this all-star game can only enhance Lawrie’s visibility among the NFL teams looking at him.

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