Francis Bernard, Julian Blackmon Accept Invitations To Senior Bowl

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – University of Utah linebacker Francis Bernard and safety Julian Blackmon has been invited to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on January 25, 2020.

Bernard announced on Twitter that he has accepted the invitation.

Want to thank @JimNagy_SB and the @seniorbowl staff fro inviting me to the Senior bowl. I am truly blessed and am excited to be down there in mobile on the 25th of January. Special thank you to my family and @Utah_Football for believing! #Kongo #goutes

— Francis Bernard (@Francis57045035) November 12, 2019

The @Reeses #SeniorBowl would like to welcome DB Julian Blackmon (@JulianBlackmon) to the 2020 Senior Bowl! @Utah_Football 🔴#GoUtes🔴 #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/wHUxrVFJss

— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) November 12, 2019

Bernard is having a fantastic season for the Utes, posting 55 tackles, which is the second most on the team, 5 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. He also has one pass breakup and one hit on the quarterback.

Blackmon has 37 tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

The duo will likely be joined by many of his teammates in the Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is a game compiled of the best seniors in college football that play in a game in Mobile, Alabama. The players spend a week with a coaching staff in the NFL. Last season, it was Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders, as well as Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers. Jim Nagy is in charge of the Senior Bowl, who is the Executive Director. He is also an ESPN NFL Draft Analyst and was an NFL scout for 18 years.

Last year, Utah had 5 representatives in the Senior Bowl, including safety Marquise Blair, punter Mitch Wishnowsky, kicker Matt Gay and linebackers Cody Barton and Chase Hansen.

The Utes will play the UCLA Bruins on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will kickoff at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on FOX.