Utica native getting chance to showcase football talent on international stage

Kevin Lockhart Jr. will play for Team America in the Pura Vida Bowl in Costa Rica, in front of scouts from professional leagues, including the NFL.

Is getting an opportunity to showcase his talents on the international stage.

Nat sot: "to have this opportunity is special."

Kevin lockhart junior will be suiting up for team america in the pura vida bowl down in costa rica.

Born and raised in utica - before moving to the syracuse area and attending nottingham high school...much of his family still lives locally.

After playing football for ellsworth community college in iowa - he was supposed to transfer to norwich university in vermont to play at the division three level- but coronavirus had other plans.

His season was cancelled and his chance to continue on was taken - that is - until he was selec ted from college players from all levels across the country to play in this game.

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None .

None kevin lockhart jr.: the pura vida bowl pits team america against all-stars from the costa rica football league.

It's an opportunity of a lifetime - with scouts from international leagues - the arena football league - and even the n-f-l in attendance.

Kevin lockhart jr.: at 27 - lockhart was a bit late to the college scene.

That's because he spent four years serving in the army after high school.

After wearing the most respected uniform of all - he says now he has the honor of representing our country in a different way.

Kevin lockhart jr.: he's traveling alone - leaving tomorrow - and while making sure to take all the necessary precautions during this time - he's in for quite the experience when he lands.

Kevin lockhart jr.: not only is this the chance for him to open more doors in his football career - but lockhart says it's also a great way to expand his horizons.

Kevin lockhart jr.: ...so you get the opportunity to meet new friends, create new bonds with people and just create new bonds with people from throughout the world.

> lockhart is a middle linebacker and running back - expecting to play on both sides of the ball in the game he been juggling learning both playbooks leading up.

The pura vida bowl is on saturday at two p-m our time.

It'll be streamed on the team america football facebook page.

As we continue to wait until february for