BLACKSBURG – The Senior Bowl and Virginia Tech Football confirmed that S Divine Deablo and RB Khalil Herbert have both accepted invitations to participate in the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. The game is currently slated for Saturday, January 21 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The contest is scheduled to be broadcast by NFL Network.
Herbert currently leads the nation with 1,629 all-purpose yards and ranks third among Power Five players (min. five games), averaging 162.9 ypg. The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native leads all active ACC players, averaging 102.0 rushing ypg. Saturday vs. Clemson he became the 14th player in Tech history to register a 1,000-yard rushing season. Herbert was named to the 2021 East-West Shrine Bowl All-Star list.
Welcome RB Khalil Herbert (@JuiceHerbert) from @HokiesFB to the @Reeses Senior Bowl!!!
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) December 8, 2020
😤😤😤#GoHokies #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE #BestOfTheBest@JimNagy_SB @PaniniAmerica #RatedRookie pic.twitter.com/I4yHLBM73a
Deablo is currently tied for the ACC lead with three interceptions. The Winston-Salem, N.C. native has played in 50 career games (32 starts) for Tech, accumulating 200 total tackles (112 solo) to go along with 12.5 TFL, five INTs, nine pass breakups and 14 passes defensed. After beginning his Tech career at wide receiver, he has thrived in the secondary for Tech and returned a fumble for a 98-yard TD last season at Notre Dame (11/2/19).
Please OFFICIALLY welcome the next accepted invite to the 2021 @Reeses Senior Bowl 💪💪💪 @HokiesFB DB @DeabloDivine #GoHokies #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE @JimNagy_SB @PaniniAmerica #RatedRookie pic.twitter.com/8X1i01ghu5
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) December 8, 2020
In addition to Herbert, a pair of Tech defenders – LB Rayshard Ashby and DE Justus Reed – have also been named to the 2021 East-West Shrine Bowl All-Star list. Despite the 2021 East-West Shrine Bowl being cancelled due to challenges presented by COVID-19, game organizers are announcing all-star selections throughout December to recognize outstanding senior seasons. In conjunction with the National Football League, players will participate in virtual training sessions in preparation for the NFL Draft.
The 96th annual East-West Shrine Bowl had been scheduled for January 23, 2021, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The student-athletes will participate in various virtual training/informational drills with current NFL coaches and members of the NFL Operations staff.