LONDON, ONT-  Defensive lineman David Lee  (London, Ont.), receiver/defensive back Scott Janz (Winnipeg), and linebackers Jerod McCrory (Burlington, Ont.) and Marcus Babic (Oakville, Ont.) are four of the 45 players selected to represent the World Team in the USA vs. World game as part of the Pro Bowl Weekend in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 30. 

Mustangs head coach and offensive coordinator Greg Marshall has been selected to be the offensive coordinator for the World Team. The game will air live on the NFL Network (channel 419 in the London, Ont., area on Rogers) at 12 p.m. on Jan. 30.

Lee, who is among the top seven defence players on the Mustangs roster, made a shift this season to defensive lineman after spending the 2008 season as a linebacker. As a player who attributes his academic and athletic success to his academic mother and sport-oriented father, Lee is taking what he is calling this “invaluable opportunity” to compare himself to and learn from other players.

“Every player is coached differently about how to play football, and has their own unique outlook on the game. I am hoping to bring some new moves to the Mustangs for next season” Lee said.

Much like Lee, in the 2009 season Janz made a shift - his from offence to defence, from his previous position as wide receiver in 2008. The successful switch to defensive back has now earned Janz the chance to measure up against the best of the worlds rising football stars. Although Janz is no stranger to representing the best, having played for Manitoba’s U-17 and U-19, the chance to play against the best of America has him excited.

Janz said, “I hope to gain experience playing against some incredible athletes on the American team, some of which could be NFL-bound”.

As for Babic, the youngest player on the Mustangs roster, this position on the World Team comes after a season adjusting to university football. He credits his successful transition to recruiting and special teams coach Mickey Donovan, who Babic says was constantly raising the bar of expectation for him this season. Babic is looking to this game as another opportunity to improve his abilities as a football player.

“I just want to improve my own game,” Babic said, “I want to take this experience and apply it to Canadian football and training for next season.”

Selected as one of the 32 Canadian players to represent the world, McCrory said he is honoured to get this unique opportunity to display his skills as a Mustang. His drive to compete against and learn from some of the most talented coaches and under 19 players is heightened by the national coverage the game will receive.

“Its always exciting strapping on the pads to play especially in a game with this much attention and high level of players. The fact that it is part of Pro Bowl Weekend in Florida just makes it that much better,” said McCrory.

The World Team will begin practicing on Jan. 24 in Fort Lauderdale, but being selected to play on the team meant changes in regular off-season training.

“Although conditioning becomes a focus much later in the off-season, I’ve had to accelerate this stage of training in preparation for Florida,” Janz said.

Fans can watch the game live on the NFL Network at 12 noon ET on Jan. 30 as part of the NFL’s official Pro Bowl Weekend.