GRANBURY, TX – Former Alfred University running back and 2015 AU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Jesse Raynor '03, has been named to the Global Football All-Tazón Team, recognizing the top players to participate in the Tazón De Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars), formerly known as the Aztec Bowl, between 1997 and 2016.
 
The All-Tazón team was selected by a panel of veterans of the Tazón De Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) and its Global Football-organized predecessor The Aztec Bowl. Players were chosen based on their on-field performances and the leadership qualities they displayed south of the border, by 20-year veterans of the event, Global Football President Patrick Steenberge, player personnel director John Roslien (Central College), and several coaches who have traveled as members of the Team Stars & Stripes staff during the past two decades.
 
Raynor is one of 25 players recognized on the All-Tazón Team, which features four players that entered the National Football League, including former Buffalo Bills standouts, Fred Jackson (2002 bowl MVP) and London Fletcher (1997 bowl MVP).
 
Raynor played in the Aztec Bowl in 2003 and was named the bowl's Most Valuable Player after rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also added a field goal and four PAT's, scoring 13 points in the game, which ranked third-most points scored by an American player in the history in the bowl game at the time. The United States was stunned by Mexico, 34-31. Mexico scored three touchdowns in less than three minutes to mount an 18-point comeback in the fourth quarter.
 
"I'd give up this trophy for a bigger one," Raynor stated after earning bowl MVP honors. "I love football and it's more important for the team to win than to win individual honors."
 
Raynor was a member of the Alfred University football team from 1999-03 and was inducted into the AU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. He is the school record holder in career rushing yards (3,865), career rushes (782), most 100-yard games in a career (20) and second in career rushing touchdowns (40). He also maintains the school record in most rushing yards per game in a season (137.2) after rushing for 1,235 yards in nine games in 2001 and is tied for most rushing touchdowns in a game – a feat he completed twice (2000 vs. Canisius; 2001 vs. Utica).
 
Raynor was the second Alfred University player to participate in the Aztec Bowl. Fellow AU Athletics Hall of Famer, Brian Keefer, played in the 2000 Aztec Bowl where the United States won 27-26. Since then, Brenton Brady '05, Don Miller '07 and Jared Manzer '09 have made appearances in the to bowl game.
 
In 2000, Raynor was named a USA Football Second Team All-American. He was also named the Empire 8 Player of the Year in 2003, earning First Team All-Conference honors as a running back and Second Team honors as a punter. He was recognized as an ECAC Northwest All-Star in 2001 and 2003.

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