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Salas gets an invitation to the Senior Bowl

SCOTT MORIFUJI / SMORIFUJI@STARADVERTISER.COM
Greg Salas’ 70 receptions are tops in the nation.

Greg Salas is bowl eligible.

Hawaii’s senior slotback has been invited to compete in the 2011 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. By participating in the Jan. 29 all-star game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Salas is all but assured an invitation to the NFL scouting combine in February.

"The Senior Bowl is probably the most-scouted event by the NFL," said Mouse Davis, a former NFL coach who tutors the UH receivers.

Said head coach Greg McMackin: "That’s the bowl where the top 100 guys in the country go to. It’s the NFL’s national convention. Every NFL coach and administrator and trainer will be there. It’s a great opportunity for him."

The game is secondary to the preceding days of interviews and skills tests.

"They bring them in, they weigh them, they time them, they measure them," Davis said.

Salas said he was flattered to receive the invitation, which was relayed through associate head coach Rich Miano, the Warriors’ pro liaison.

"It’s nice to know that hard work is paying off, and people are noticing me," Salas said.

Salas leads the nation in receptions (70), and is second in receiving yards per game (133.50).

"Just getting Greg in (to the Senior Bowl) is big for our program," Miano said. "We’re very excited about that."

Salas’ jovial demeanor belies his workmanlike attitude.

Many people "probably look at me and don’t think I play football by the way I act," Salas said. "I’m friendly. I like to have fun and make jokes. I think they notice when I play football, I change. I’m not that same happy-go-lucky kid."

The past two summers, Salas has remained in Hawaii instead of training in Chino, Calif.

"I know that what I’ve done back home I can do here," Salas said. "Not only that, I can get the chemistry down with all of the receivers and the quarterbacks. I can be a leader and teach some of the younger players what I already know, and continue to get better myself."

The Senior Bowl also has expressed an interest in running back Alex Green and slotback Kealoha Pilares. UH sent Green’s highlight video to Senior Bowl officials yesterday.

Miano said left wideout Rodney Bradley has drawn interest from NFL scouts.

A Baltimore Ravens scout said Bradley "can get behind (defensive backs) and has good hands," Miano said.

Miano said the Ravens envision Pilares as a possession receiver similar to Wes Welker of the New England Patriots and Jordan Shipley of the Cincinnati Bengals.

"All three of those guys will have legitimate opportunities," Miano said of Salas, Pilares and Bradley.

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