Elon University senior wide receiver Aaron Mellette has been invited to the 2013 Senior Bowl, according to the Elon athletic department.

The department's Twitter account (@ElonPhoenix) tweeted this: "Big news from the football front today! Aaron Mellette has been invited to participate in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26, 2013! #MerleNation"

The Pendulum's Zachary Horner spoke to Mellette at this afternoon's women's basketball game between Elon and College of Charleston. Mellette said he found out yesterday around 5 p.m. when he met with Phoenix head coach Jason Swepson. The senior wideout said the invitation was on Swepson's desk when he walked in.

Mellette was listed on the Senior Bowl Watch List Aug. 23 as one of 29 players from the Football Championship Subdivision and Division II, and Senior Bowl Executive Director Phil Savage mentioned Mellette in the press release.

"I've seen three games on Aaron from last year and he is a legitimate NFL prospect with size and athleticism," Savage said of Mellette in the press release.

The 2013 Senior Bowl will take place at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The game and practices beforehand will be nationally-televised by NFL Network. The game is coached by NFL coaching staffs and is often used as a tool for professional scouts to watch prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft.

An All-Southern Conference First Team pick by both coaches and media, Mellette had 97 catches for 1,389 yards and 18 touchdowns during his senior season for the Phoenix.

Update: Mellette and Swepson spoke to ElonPhoenix.com about the invitation.

"It's a blessing and an honor to receive an invitation to Senior Bowl," Mellette said. "I can't wait to go down there and make Elon and my hometown of Sanford proud. This is a great opportunity for me to display my skills and show that I can play with these guys. I was very shocked when Coach (Jason) Swepson called me in and showed me the invitation, but I was filled with a lot of joy at the same time."

"This is a great honor for Aaron, and one that he deserves," Swepson added. "He has worked extremely hard, not only this year but for the past five years. Aaron put himself in this position and we, as a coaching staff, are glad that we could help him be successful. He has a bright future ahead of him and I know that the Elon community is excited to see him play at next level. I know that Elon will always be a special place for Aaron"