Five seniors from the 2022 Bulldog football team are set for senior All-Star competition.
FRESNO, Calif. - A handful of seniors from the 2022 Fresno State Football team have accepted invites to play in postseason all-star games this offseason. Being a part of these all-star games allows these former Bulldogs the opportunity to showcase their skills, on and off the field, to numerous NFL and professional level scouts.
Fresno State has five players that will appear in postseason all-star game events this season - quarterback Jake Haener, wide receivers Jalen Moreno-Cropper and Nikko Remigio, running back Jordan Mims, and defensive end David Perales.
Perales will play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, scheduled for Jan. 28, 2023 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is the premier postseason all-star game for any draft-eligible college football players. More than just a game, this week-long experience provides players with the opportunity to showcase their game to NFL scouts and coaches, while learning from the best in the business. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl not only prepares players for the speed and intensity of professional football, but also for the business and lifestyle changes that come with it.
"I am super grateful to get another opportunity to showcase my talents in front of all 32 NFL scouts and to play in front of my family again," said Perales. "A lot of good players have played in this game and I am looking forward to experiencing all that comes with this game."
Perales is on the American Team roster for the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will have a Bulldog on its roster for the second-straight season as former Bulldogs DaRon Bland, Aaron Mosby, and Ronnie Rivers appeared on the roster last season. Prior to the 2022 edition of the game, the last Bulldog to play in the game was Da'Mari Scott in 2018. More information on the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl can be found here.
Moreno-Cropper, Mims and Remigio will represent Fresno State at the East-West Shrine Bowl. The game will be played on Feb. 2, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. The East-West Shrine Bowl is one of the top college football postseason all-star events, featuring the best college football athletes from around the country who work throughout the week to showcase their talents in front of professional-level scouts.
All three Bulldogs are represented on the East Team roster.
Fresno State is represented at the East-West Shrine Bowl for the sixth-straight season, dating back to 2017. The three invitees are the most for the Bulldogs to the East-West Shrine since 2011. The 2022 edition of the game saw former Bulldog Ben Jacobs on the coaching staff. Ronnie Rivers played in the Shrine Bowl last season. For more information on the East-West Shrine Bowl, visit the organization's official website here.
Haener received an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl, set to be played on Feb. 4, 2023 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The Reese's Senior Bowl is widely regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The longest continual-running all-star game has taken place in Mobile, Alabama the past 73 years. More than 900 NFL personnel, including key decision-makers from all 32 teams, and over 900 media members from around the country were credentialed last year. This past April, the game produced a record-tying 106 total picks for the second straight year, representing 40 percent of the entire NFL draft, including 45 of the top 100 players selected.
"I am privileged to represent Fresno State at the Senior Bowl this year," said Haener. " It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the highest level of competition. I can't wait to cut it loose and show the country what the Valley can produce."
Haener is the first Bulldog since Josh Harper and Derron Smith (2015) to receive an invitation to the Senior Bowl. The Bulldog QB received an invitation following the 2021 season, but opted to return to Fresno State for his final season of collegiate eligibility. Haener is the first Bulldog quarterback to play at the Senior Bowl since Derek Carr in 2014, and just the third all-time as he joins Derek and David Carr. For more information on the Reese's Senior Bowl, visit the organization's official website here.
A look back on 2022
Jake Haener: The first team All-Mountain West quarterback overcame adversity in 2022, starting all 10 games played, missing four due to injury suffered in Week 3. He finished the season with 2,896 yards passing, completing 252-of-350 pass attempts. He threw 20 touchdowns to just three interceptions on the year. Haener had six 300-yard passing performances in 10 games played this year. He was a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week selection, and was named the Offensive MVP of the Mountain West Championship Game.
Jordan Mims: The first team All-Mountain West running back started all 14 games for Fresno State in 2022. Mims finished the season with a team-high1,372 yards rushing on 261 carries. He became the first Bulldog to rush for 1,000 yards since 2014. He had six 100-yard rushing performances, with a 200-yard showing in his final game as a Bulldog. Mims scored 8 rushing touchdowns in 2022, the second-most in a season in program history. He ranked fifth nationally in rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper: The first team All-Mountain West wide receiver started all 14 games for Fresno State in 2022. He led the team with 83 receptions for 1,086 yards, becoming the first Bulldog to have a 1,000-yard receiving performance since 2018. Moreno-Cropper had three 100-yard receiving performances this season. He finished his career with 37-straight games with a reception, a streak that is the second-longest in program history.
David Perales: The first team All-Mountain West defensive end appeared in all 14 games this season, while starting 13. He led the defensive line with 47 total tackles. Perales added 16.0 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He led the Mountain West and ranked No. 7 nationally in sacks. Perales added two forced fumbles, one interception, six quarterback hurries and five broken up passes in 2022.
Nikko Remigio: Remigio was selected by the Mountain West as a second team all-conference wide receiver and punt returner. Doing it all for the Bulldogs in his first season, Remigio totaled 1,633 all-purpose yards. As a receiver, Remigio was second on the team with 74 receptions for 852 yards, scoring six touchdowns. He was Fresno State's top returner since 2013, showcasing his best returns in the punt returns totaling 13 punt returns for a combined 259 yards and two touchdowns. Remigio became the first Bulldog to return a punt for a touchdown since 2013. Remigio led the Mountain West in punt return touchdowns and punt return yards. He also led the nation in punt return touchdowns. Remigio is the only Bulldog to earn two positional all-conference honors by the MW league office.