Three Troy State football players have been invited to participate in the 2000 Kelly Tires Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic on Christmas Day.

Punter Matt Allen, wide receiver Jonathan Carter and linebacker Nick Colbert will travel to Montgomery, Ala., to participate in the event, which features some of the top college talent from across the nation each year. Two Trojans participated in the game last year, offensive lineman Mookie Moore and wide receiver Mareno Philyaw.

All three players earned All-Southland Football League honors this season, with Carter and Colbert both first-team selections and Allen a second-team choice, as voted on by league coaches.

Colbert record a career-high 83 tackles this season, finishing with eight tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. The Enterprise, Ala., native also earned a prestigious honor as a 2000 College Football Scholar Athlete, as awarded by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Sixteen athletes, from all divisions, were honored with the award this season, including Purdue’s Drew Brees and Florida State’s Chris Weinke.

Carter finished with a team-best 40 catches for 632 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 57.5 yards receiving per game. The Lineville, Ala., native also led the Trojans with 10 kickoff returns for 286 yard and a touchdown.

Allen, a four-year starter and Montgomery native, will return to the Capital City after completing a brilliant career with the Trojans. Allen finished the 2000 season with 70 punts for 2800 yards, averaging 40 yards per kick. Of his 70 kicks, 10 were touchbacks and 23 downed inside the 20-yard line. His long of 59 yards came against Alabama State on Sept. 16.