KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan senior tight end Donnie Ernsberger has been extended and accepted an invitation to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Founded in 2012, the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl gives prospective players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. Nearly 200 scouts, player personnel staff, general managers and head coaches from all 32 NFL teams are expected be in attendance to watch live practices, conduct player interviews and review tape.

The seventh annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be played on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., which has been the site of five Super Bowls and numerous major college football games. The contest is scheduled for a 4 p.m. EST kickoff and will be televised on FS1. 

A hard-nosed tight end, Ernsberger has helped block for the Mid-American Conference's leading rushing team, as well as proven to be a threat offensively. Ernsberger has had a knack for picking up yardage after contact and has caught 27 passes for 315 yards with three touchdowns. He had a career game in Western Michigan's 20-17 overtime win at Eastern Michigan, catching six balls for 91 yards. In WMU's seven-overtime win against Buffalo he caught two touchdowns.

Last year as a junior, Ernsberger caught nine passes for 112 yards and one touchdown and was a Third Team All-MAC selection.

Coaching this year's NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be two NFL legends: Super-Bowl winning coach Mike Martz, who is back at the helm for a fourth straight year, and Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green, who is making his debut as a head coach on the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl sidelines.