KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and defensive back/kick returner Darius Phillips have been invited to play in the 2018 Reese's Senior Bowl, January 27, 2018. The game will be played at 1:30 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., and televised by the NFL Network.

Both Okorafor and Phillips have drawn heavy attention by NFL scouts.

Okorafor was 1 of 6 national semifinalists for the Outland Trophy and was named a Top 5 Tackle by Mel Kiper. In several NFL mock drafts, the 6-6, 330-pound lineman is listed as a first round pick. Okorafor has been a three-year starter at tackle on the Broncos' offensive line, helping seal the path for one of the best running units in the nation. Last year WMU finished 24th in the country in rushing offense and allowed just 16 sacks on the year, the 13th fewest total in FBS. Western Michigan is ranked 23rd in the nation in rushing offense this season, averaging 236.5 yards per game. Seven different players have rushed for 26 touchdowns.

Phillips is known as a ball hawk in the secondary and for his explosiveness on special teams. Over the course of his career he has scored 14 touchdowns five different ways (5 kickoff returns, 5 interceptions, 2 receiving, 1 fumble recovery and 1 punt return). His 12 career runbacks is an FBS record (breaking the previous record of 5), while his five interception returns ties the all-time FBS mark. He has four 100-yard kickoff returns in his career, including two this season, coming in back-to-back weeks at USC and Michigan State. Phillips has four touchdowns, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 36 tackles and 10 pass break-ups in 2017. He was named a Midseason All-American by the Sporting News, CBS Sports and The All-American. Okorafor was also named a Midseason All-American by The All-American.

Western Michigan has had seven players compete in the Senior Bowl over the history of the program, including players in back-to-back years the last two seasons. WMU's seven selections ranks second most all-time by a MAC school.

WESTERN MICHIGAN SENIOR BOWL ROSTER (7)
'62 - John Lomakoski, T
'86 - John Offerdahl, LB
'87 - Mark Garalczyk, DL
'90 - Joel Smeenge, DL
'09 - Louis Delmas, DB
'16 - Willie Beavers, OL
'17 - Taylor Moton, OL