Now that the bowl season is finally over, college all-star games are reaching out for black college talent to fill rosters. The Division II Valero Cactus Bowl at Texas A&M Kingsville on January 9 has players from seven HBCUs.

Elizabeth City State running back Sammy Milton and safety Rod Jones will be joined by Fort Valley State corrnerback Steven Jackson and Stillman defensive lineman Sammy Hill on the East squad. Cheyney offensive lineman Dennis Cooper will join Saint Paul's defensive backs Gregory Toler and Jerome Mann on the West team.

Tennessee State, Norfolk State and Stillman will be represented at the 84th East-West Shrine game January 17 in Houston. Tennessee State running back Javarris Williams and center Cecil Newton are on offense for the East squad with Norfolk State defensive back Don Carey and Stillman lineman Samie Lee Hill on defense. Williams, the Ohio Valley Conference offensive player of the year, was named to the 2008 American Football Coaches Association Coaches All-America first team. He lead the conference in rushing average with 103.7 yards per game last season running behind a line anchored by Newton. Carey earned a spot on the all-MEAC second-team the last two seasons and racked up 10 interceptions for his career, including five in 2008. A three-time pick for the MEAC all-academic team, Carey finished his Spartans career with 173 tackles, 34 pass deflections, four fumbles recovered, a pair of blocked extra points and a pair of touchdowns. Hill was first team all-SIAC in 2008.

He finished the season with 59 tackles, 15.5 for losses totaling 81 yards, 7.5 sacks. seven pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries and three fumbles recovered.