BYU's Langi leads locals at Reese's Senior Bowl college all-star game

MOBILE, Ala. — A local high school and college football product made the game-deciding play in the final all-star game of his collegiate career before April’s NFL draft.

BYU multiposition talent Harvey Langi picked off the game-deciding two-point conversion attempt to help the South hold on for a 16-15 win over the North on Saturday at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

Langi, who played linebacker, defensive end and running back at BYU, played the entire game at inside linebacker for the South squad. The former Bingham High standout, who played running back at Utah, had a tackle for loss on the first series of the game and an interception in his final action.

After Pitt quarterback Nate Peterman hit East Carolina’s Zay Jones for a 3-yard touchdown with less than two minutes remaining to pull the North within one point, 16-15, coach John Fox opted to go for two and the win.

That’s when Langi and the defense stiffened up, and Peterman’s pass ricocheted off a pile of defenders and fell to Langi for the game-sealing pick.

Langi finished with three tackles and a tackle for loss while playing 42 snaps for the South.

Former BYU teammate Jamaal Williams ran for 29 yards on eight carries, caught two passes for nine yards, and added a pair of tackles.

Williams did not start for the South but on his first touch, he had a 3-yard catch out of the backfield and eventually picked up two first downs for the winning squad.

Williams also recorded the first tackle of the game while seeing special teams time on the opening kickoff, and later took down St. Francis (Pa.) defensive back Lorenzo Jerome after the North cornerback grabbed his second pick of the game.

For the South, the 6-foot, 211-pound Williams wore his traditional No. 21 jersey and lined up at tailback while Langi, who measured 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds and played multiple positions at BYU, lined up primarily at inside linebacker and wore jersey No. 51.

Former Utah defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, who played last season at Southern California, also saw time, recovering a fumble for the North which forced four turnovers.

Utah offensive lineman Isaac Asiata made the initial roster for the annual postseason and pre-NFL draft game, but injured his hamstring in practice prior to Saturday.

Williams was named the Senior Bowl’s practice player of the week at running back after workouts finished Thursday.

“He flashed inside running ability and showed more speed on the outside,” said executive director Phil Savage. “He also caught the ball well.”

Williams didn’t just draw attention for his play on the field, either. The 6-foot fifth-year senior from BYU drew gazes, as he showed up to each media event and community service opportunity with a flashy fanny pack — the only one of its kind, just as most BYU fans will admit about Williams, who is a fan favorite.

Cal quarterback Davis Webb completed 11 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown to lead the South, and Peterman completed 16 passes for 153 yards and a score for the North.

North Carolina State’s Matt Dayes ran for 66 yards and a touchdown on seven carries to lead the South.

Toledo running back Kareem Hunt rushed for a game-high 118 yards on 15 carries for the North.

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