Former FSU Football Star Linebacker Accepts East-West Shrine Bowl Invitation

Originally posted on FanNation NoleGameDay
By Austin Veazey | Last updated 1/17/24

Kalen DeLoach, the former star linebacker at Florida State, has accepted an invitation to play in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, per the Bowl's X account. It's the 99th edition of the Shrine Bowl, with practices and interviews starting on January 27th and the game in Frisco, Texas on February 1st.

DeLoach becomes the fifth former Seminole to accept an invitation this year, joining quarterback Jordan Travis (who will just be interviewing with NFL team to his injury), defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, and defensive backs Renardo Green and Jarrian Jones. This is another one of those events, similar to the Senior Bowl, that allows NFL Draft prospects to play against other similar competition in front of every team, and also gives them interview opportunities.

The East-West Shrine Bowl has a long-standing history with former FSU players, including naming two into their East-West Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame: quarterback Gary Huff (played at FSU 1970-1972) and wide receiver Barry Smith (1969-1972).

DeLoach is coming off of a spectacular senior season, finishing the year with 68 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery touchdown. He had arguably the biggest play of the season at Clemson, hitting Cade Klubnik on a blitz to force the fumble, and picking up to run it back for a touchdown that tied the game.

He leaves Florida State with 212 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles across his five years in Tallahassee. DeLoach became a fan-favorite by being one of the few players that had exhausted their eligibility or declared for the NFL Draft to play in the Orange Bowl, despite the team getting demolished by Georgia.