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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Gridiron Classic Names Four Rebels to Watch List
8/16/2002 | Football
Aug. 16, 2002
ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida Citrus Sports, host of the Rotary Gridiron Classic, has named four players from the University of Mississippi to its initial watch list. The Rotary Gridiron Classic, a game that matches the top collegiate players from around the nation against those from Florida, will be played on January 25, 2003. Below is a player-by-player look at which Rebels made the Rotary Gridiron Classic Watch List.
Ben Claxton, a 6'3", 302-pound center from Dublin, Ga., was named to the watch list after earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors last season. Claxton, a team captain in 2002, was named a preseason second team All-American by Lindy's and was selected to both Athlon and Street & Smith's third All-America team.
Lanier Goethie, a six-foot, 223-pound linebacker out of Appling County High School in Baxley, Ga., has started each of the past two seasons for Mississippi. Goethie, who received the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, has tallied 151 tackles over the past two years.
Eddie Strong, a 6'4", 245-pound linebacker from Batesville, Miss., finished the 2001 season with a team-leading 105 tackles and six tackles for loss. The South Panola High School graduate was a second team All-SEC selection last season.
Doug Zeigler, a 6'4, 254-pound tight end, was named to the watch list following a 21-catch season in which he earned second team All-SEC honors. Zeigler has 40 career receptions for 537 yards and five touchdowns, including four scores last year.
While the selection committee of the Rotary Gridiron Classic will release its initial watch list before the season begins, the committee will add players not on the initial list as the season progresses.
