With approximately 250 alumni across the league on any given Sunday, the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl has established itself as a mainstay on the all-star circuit and is a critical part of the NFL Draft process. The 11thAnnual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, featuring the next generation of NFL prospects, will be held in January of 2023. Below are some of the notable players who performed well during week two of the NFL season.
Russell Gage
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went into their week two matchup against the New Orleans Saints minus wide receivers Chris Godwin and Julio Jones due to injury. So when fellow wideout Mike Evans was ejected during the game, it was time for Russell Gage to step up. The five-year veteran came through in the clutch and kept the chains moving as Tom Brady found him on five occasions for 28 yards during the Bucs victory.
Kendall Hinton
One of the more fascinating player development stories in the NFL has been Denver Broncos wide receiver, Kendall Hinton. The former Wake Forest quarterback demonstrated his ability to switch positions during the 2020 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practice week. Hinton made huge strides last season, collecting 15 catches in 16 games for 175 receiving yards and also returned kicks. Suddenly, he is now one of the big play threats for Russell Wilson on the Broncos’ offense, which he showcased on Sunday, making a big 20-yard grab. Keep a lookout for this connection!
Sam Williams
Dallas Cowboys rookie Sam Williams (chosen 56th overall in the second round) is the highest-ever drafted NFLPA Collegiate Bowl alumni and he has already begun to flash his pass-rush prowess. While his stats may not reflect his impact, the explosive Cowboys linebacker applied pressure in the backfield on several occasions, while making a key tackle for loss during their win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Arthur Maulet
After a stellar week one performance, which included a forced fumble, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Arthur Maulet played a contributing factor once again in week two. The six-year veteran racked up a pair of tackles against the New England Patriots, bringing his season total to five—he recorded a career-high 45 tackles in 2021 and has been a dependable backup for the Steelers.
Jordan Kunaszyk
The journey of linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk has been one of perseverance. Coming out of California, Kunaszyk went undrafted in 2017, largely in part due to an injury he endured during his senior season. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns after a training camp tryout but was eventually released. However, the Browns would re-sign him to the practice squad and elevate him to the active roster for the second consecutive week. Kunaszyk has now appeared in 28 games, across four seasons with three various teams (Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders).
Samuel Womack
A Detroit native, San Francisco 49ers fifth-round draft pick Samuel Womack has made his presence felt in ‘The Bay.’ The rookie cornerback flashed a propensity for turnovers during the preseason and has since gone on to become a key member of the 49ers defense, registering three tackles during their win over the Seattle Seahawks. Look for Womack to play an increased role for one of the top defenses in the league!
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