OXFORD, Miss. -- Despite the odds of only one in 50 college football seniors being drafted by the National Football League, Ole Miss could see multiple players drafted this year.   

Last year’s All-Americans, offensive lineman Michael Oher and defensive lineman Peria Jerry, both are projected to be selected in the first round of the draft later this month.

On April 18, the duo will be center stage during the Ole Miss Grove Bowl festivities, giving Rebel fans an opportunity to learn more about them and their road to the NFL. Their achievements will be celebrated with a special program at 11 a.m. on the Grove stage. “Path to the Draft: Ole Miss to the NFL” will include a panel discussion, emceed by FOX News anchor Shepard Smith, an Ole Miss alumnus.

In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved inside the Student Union, adjacent to the Grove.

Also slated to be honored is a trio of former Rebels with NFL experience: Marcus Johnson, drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2005; Von Hutchins, drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2004; and Todd Wade, drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2000.

Johnson recently signed a free-agent contract with the Oakland Raiders after four years with the Vikings, while Hutchins spent two seasons with the Colts and two with the Houston Texans, then joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2008. Wade's nine-year pro career includes stops with the Dolphins, Houston Texans, Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The upcoming campus program is a means to have the NFL players mentor Oher and Jerry, according to Jamil Northcutt, assistant athletics director.

“Both Michael and Peria did an outstanding job for us last season, and we want to honor and recognize them for their achievements,” he said. 

According to head football coach Houston Nutt, who will be on hand to reflect on their individual achievements, Oher and Jerry are deserving of the recognition, because they helped lead the Rebels to the team’s first bowl game since 2004.

“As All-Americans, Michael and Peria represent some of the best players in the entire country,” Nutt said. “It shows their athleticism, their attitude and their commitment. They were tremendous leaders and playmakers for us.”

At 6-foot-5, 318 pounds, Oher said he’s thankful to have returned to Ole Miss for his senior season, and he looks forward to seeing fans at Grove Bowl.

“I saw Patrick Willis get honored last year, and I looked up to him while playing at Ole Miss,” Oher said. “It’s going to be a special day for me.”

At 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, Jerry also commented about how much it means to him to have fans celebrate his achievements.

“I’m looking forward to the Grove Bowl,” he said. “It’s going to be fun to have the fans applaud all my hard work.”

Grove Bowl 2009 is the culmination of the team’s spring practice drills. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Tickets cost $10 and are available online in the OleMissSports.com Ticket Office. Sponsored by the M-Club Alumni Chapter, the game benefits the J.W. “Wobble” Davidson Scholarship Fund, which aids the children of former Ole Miss letterwinners.

For more information or for assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7375.

(Tobie Baker)