JONESBORO, Ark. (1/23/25) – Arkansas State football center Jacob Bayer has received an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl Saturday, Feb. 1, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

A two-year A-State football letterman, Bayer will play in the NFL Network-televised game set to kickoff at 12:00 p.m. (CT). The two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection will become the ninth all-time Arkansas State player, as well as the first since tight end Darion Griswold in 2015, to compete in the Senior Bowl.

Bayer also joins linebacker Demario Davis (2011), defensive end Alex Carrington (2010), quarterback Gene Bradley (1980), offensive lineman T.J. Humphreys (1977), offensive lineman Ken Jones (1976), offensive lineman Wayne Dorton (1972) and linebacker Bill Bergey (1968) as players to participate in the Senior Bowl. All eight previous A-State players to compete in the all-star game were selected in the NFL Draft, including Bradley, Jones and Bergey in the second round, or signed to a free agent contract.

Bayer, a two-time All-Sun Belt selection, returns to Hancock Whitney Stadium after helping the Red Wolves defeat Bowling Green in the 68 Ventures Bowl back on Dec. 26. The Grandview, Texas, native helped A-State to back-to-back bowl appearances and was ranked among the top centers nationally both seasons by Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Returning from an ACL injury suffered in April, Bayer started the final 12 games of the 2024 season and finished as the top-rated center in the conference and top five nationally earning second team all-conference recognition. A first team all-conference honoree in 2023, Bayer led the league and was second nationally according to PFF.

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, Ala., the past 76 years.  More than 900 NFL personnel, including key decision-makers from all 32 teams, and over 1100 media members from around the country were credentialed this year. This past April, the game produced 110 total picks, representing 43 percent of the entire NFL draft.