VERMILLION, S.D.—University of South Dakota senior
Alonge Brooks (Compton, Calif.) is one of 13 wide receivers selected for the College Gridiron Showcase & Symposium to take place Jan. 6-10 in Addison, Texas.
The Showcase is the first all-star event following the 2017 season. It provides exposure and education for top college senior football players from around the country. A panel of football experts selects the players, who will be evaluated by professional football league scouts through on-field drills and a controlled scrimmage. In addition, the players receive professional coaching, mentoring, life coaching and seminars that will benefit them as they move forward in their professional lives or out of football.
"This is an event that (USD alum) Tyson (Graham) did last year and he had a great experience," said Brooks who talks with Graham daily. "I'm looking to get more attention from scouts on my abilities, and plan to use their feedback to help me prepare for pro day. After the game on Wednesday, I will return to Anaheim and continue to work with STARS Performance Training."
Brooks arrived in Vermillion following stints at Victor Valley College and Riverside City College. He competed in all 24 games for USD during the last two seasons, compiling 48 catches for 711 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. He was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer Team as a junior in 2016 when he led the team in receiving yards. This past season, he finished fifth on the team in receiving with 327 yards and had the second-most touchdown grabs with five.
Brooks is one of four players from the Missouri Valley Football Conference to earn a CSG roster spot. Others include Western Illinois wide receiver Jaelon Acklin, Youngstown State offensive tackle Justin Spencer and South Dakota State defensive tackle Kellen Soulek.
Since 2015, 273 CGS participants have had an opportunity to extend their careers through the NFL draft, free agency, rookie camp invitations and tryouts. Several others have been drafted or signed to play in the CFL.
CSG Wide Receivers
Alonge Brooks, South Dakota
Jaelon Acklin, Western Illinois
Wyatt Demps, Nevada
Marcus Johnson, Slippery Rock
Garrett Johnson, Kentucky
Chris Lacy, Oklahoma State
De'Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska
Caleb Scott, Vanderbilt
Kent Shelby II, McNeese State
Trent Sherfield, Vanderbilt
Cam Sims, Alabama
Vyncint Smith, Limestone
Jalen Tolliver, Arkansas-Monticello
