One Missouri Southern lineman still has one college game to play. No, it’s not for a championship, rather it’s like an interview.

Allen Barbre is currently in Austin, Texas, preparing for the opportunity to play in the inaugural Texas vs. The Nation Bowl, which will be played on Feb. 2 in El Paso, Texas. Although he was invited to the Hula Bowl in Hawaii on Jan. 13, Barbre elected to play in the Texas game where University of Texas-El Paso head coach Mike Price will coach him.

“Being invited to a bowl game says a player is one of the very best,” Southern Head Football Coach Bart Tatum said. “Eighty to 100 players are invited to play in these bowl games. It adds up to 300 to 400 players from all divisions being invited to play. It’s a very impressive honor.”

The game is not the only reason Barbre is in Austin. He’s currently working out with a personal trainer preparing for his opportunity to endure the NFL Combine, which takes place in Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 21-27.

“It’s been my dream to play in the NFL since I was a kid,” he said. “I’ll keep pursuing it until I can’t go anymore.”

Tatum believes Barbre can make it in the professional league.

“Allen is fast for a 305-pound man,” Tatum said. “He’s extremely agile and the most talented lineman I’ve been around. Physically tough, he has the ingredients (size, speed, agility, toughness) to make the NFL.”

Barbre received several pre-season and post season awards for his play, including a pre-season D2football.com and Don Hansen’s Football Gazette first-team All-American selection. He received three All-American postseason nominations: Associated Press, D2football.com and the American Football Coaches All-American teams. A Daktronics All-Southwest Region first team member, Barbre was the only offensive player this year to be a unanimous All-MIAA selection. Barbre is Southern’s first All-American since Josh Chapman in 2002, and is the first to be named first-team since Richard Jordan in 1996.

“Being an All-American feels great,” Barbre said.

Barbre also has been selected by D2Football.com as one of their Pro Hopefuls.

“I expect more out of myself than others,” he said. “I am thankful to get the recognition. I’m just happy to be doing it.”