2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board: Running Backs

Where would football be without the explosive running backs that we have grown to love throughout the years? Read on to see who we expect to have breakout seasons this year:

 

Shaun Shivers — Auburn

As a true senior, Shaun Shivers has been an offensive and special teams contributor all three years at Auburn. While playing running back in the vaunted Southeastern Conference is no easy task, the shorter-statured and nimble-footed rusher from Fort Lauderdale utilizes his lack of size as an asset, escaping both defenders’ vision and grasp. With natural hands to catch the ball away from his frame and the willingness to face-up blitzers in pass protection, Shivers projects as a third-down back at the next level, and his added value as a kickoff returner won’t be overlooked by NFL talent evaluators.

 

Stephen Carr — Indiana 

After earning his degree and participating for four seasons with USC, Stephen Carr took the COVID exemption and transferred to Indiana for his final season of college eligibility. Transferring with him to the Hoosiers is a well-rounded skillset that saw the now graduate student rush for over 1300 yards and catch 57 passes during his time with the Trojans. With a patient running style, Carr runs with very good vision to find open rushing lanes, maintains great body-lean to keep his pads low, and finishes his runs physically, typically by lowering his shoulder on a defender while churning his legs. With production as a rusher, pass catcher, pass protector, and kickoff returner, the Gardena, California product is a true three-down prospect who NFL clubs will be sure to pay attention to this Fall.

 

Hassan Haskins — Michigan

With rare size and excellent strength for the position, Hassan Haskins is a load to bring down. The 6-1, 223-pound bruiser from St. Louis played in three games as a freshman but truly burst onto the scene as a sophomore when he averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry. During the shortened 2020 season and while splitting time in the deep Wolverine backfield, Haskins displayed his foot quickness and ability to break tackles to the tune of 6.1 yards per carry and a team-leading six rushing touchdowns. While NFL scouts would like to see him more involved in the passing game in 2021, Haskins’ eagerness to play on special teams the past couple of years speaks to his toughness and unselfish nature – two aspects NFL teams covet from the running back position.

 

Pierre Strong — South Dakota State

The play of Pierre Strong Jr. is a big reason for South Dakota State’s success over the past three seasons and a catalyst for their 2020-21 trip to the FCS national championship game. At 5-11, 204 pounds, the 2020 FCS first-team All-American is a great combination of size and speed, and routinely exploits creases with his vision, balance and foot quickness. What’s more, the Little Rock, Arkansas product demonstrates his football intelligence by flanking out wide to factor in the passing game – one of the many reasons why Strong has caught the attention of NFL evaluators.

 

That’s just the beginning! Keep checking back all week to see more of our Big Board featured players, leading up to the full release on Friday, August 27th.

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2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board: Quarterbacks

College football is back, and that means it’s time for the rollout of our 2022 Big Board! Starting at the quarterback position, here are a few of the guys we’re excited to watch this season:

 

Clayton Tune – Houston

Given the keys to the Cougars’ franchise after the departure of D’Eriq King in 2019, Clayton Tune is an excellent combination of pocket passer and scrambler who orchestrates this high-flying, Dana Holgorsen offense. While showcasing great poise and toughness from the pocket, Tune routinely spreads the ball around to his many different pass catchers, displaying his quick release and decisiveness once he sees his receiver coming open. What you like about the Carrollton, Texas native is his readiness to take vertical shots to make the defense defend the whole field, and he’s a deceptively fast athlete who’s very capable of both extending plays with his legs and racking up yardage when the defense isn’t looking.

 

Sean Clifford – Penn State

At 23 years old and with 20 career starts already under his belt, Sean Clifford is one of the more seasoned senior quarterbacks in this year’s class. Showing command at the line of scrimmage, changing plays based on the defensive formation, and ensuring he gets his offense’s best player (WR Jahan Dotson) the ball regularly are all aspects of Clifford’s game that demonstrate his maturity and degree of preparedness for the next level. In addition to his smooth set-up, delivery and ability to scan the field, the redshirt senior from Cincinnati is a capable runner who’s already third all-time among PSU quarterbacks in rushing yards. After a disappointing 2020 campaign that saw the Nittany Lions fall under .500, NFL teams are eager to see if Clifford’s experience will elevate his performance against a tough Big Ten schedule, beginning September 4 at Wisconsin.

 

Anthony Brown – Oregon

After starting for 2.5 years at Boston College, Anthony Brown transferred to Oregon in 2020 where he played in the Ducks’ final two games of the season, entrenching himself as the team’s signal-caller going forward. With a tall, athletic frame, the 6-foot-3, 226-pound New Jersey native is the next dangerous dual-threat quarterback for the notoriously high-powered Oregon offense. With the build and speed of a wide receiver, Brown displayed in last year’s bowl game vs. a stout Iowa State defense the ability to move the ball efficiently with both his arm and his legs. NFL talent evaluators want to see Brown remain healthy for a full starting season – something he’s done only once to date – but a projected 3.5+ years of starting experience at the collegiate level will certainly bode well for his NFL chances.

 

Holton Ahlers – East Carolina

Standing at 6-3, 231 pounds, Holton Ahlers is no small man. The soon-to-be four-year starter possesses good NFL size for the position and frustrates many would-be sackers with his strength to break tackles. What’s impressive about the southpaw (and hometown hero for ECU) is that he looks to throw the ball downfield rather than run, and he isn’t afraid to thread the needle with his pass while putting trust in his receivers to make a play. NFL evaluators appreciate his ability to come off his primary read to find secondary targets, and he displays his veteran savvy by looking off safeties prior to throwing over the middle of the field.

 

Check back throughout the coming days to see the Big Board fill out at the other positions!

 

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43 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Participants Selected in 2021 NFL Draft

From playing through a pandemic to participating in the first all-virtual “NFLPAU” experience, the 10th NFLPA Collegiate Bowl class is special in many ways.

Many of them saw their hard work and commitment pay off over the weekend, as 43 Collegiate Bowl participants were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, with another 65 (and counting) signing with teams as undrafted free agents with teams.

Below are highlights from social media who those who heard their names called along with a full list of drafted and signed players that will be continually updated:

D’Wayne Eskridge — Seattle Seahawks — Round 2 — No. 56
(Note: This is the highest that a Collegiate Bowl participant has ever been drafted)


Aaron Robinson — New York Giants — Round 3 — No. 71


Chauncey Golston — Dallas Cowboys — Round 3 — No. 84


Quinn Menerz — Denver Broncos — Round 3 — No. 98


Brandon Stephens — Baltimore Ravens — Round 3 — No. 104


Derrick Barnes — Detroit Lions — Round 4 — No. 113


Zech McPhearson — Philadelphia Eagles — Round 4 — No. 123


Johnny Bates — Washington Football Team — Round 4 — No. 124


Cam Bynum — Minnesota Vikings — Round 4 — No. 125


Robert Rochell — LA Rams — Round 4 — No. 130


Janarius Robinson — Minnesota Vikings — Round 4 — No. 134


Josh Ball — Dallas Cowboys — Round 4 — No. 138


Michael Carter — New York Jets — Round 5 — No. 154


Ihmirr Smith-Marsette — Minnesota Vikings — Round 5 — No. 157


Tommy Doyle — Buffalo Bills — Round 5 — No. 161


Darrick Forrest — Washington Football Team — Round 5 — No. 163

 

Nate Hobbs — Las Vegas Raiders — Round 5 — No. 167


Zach Davidson — Minnesota Vikings — Round 5 — No. 168


Daelin Hayes — Baltimore Ravens — Round 5 — No. 171


Deommodore Lenoir — San Francisco 49ers — Round 5 — No. 172


Tedarrell Slaton — Green Bay Packers — Round 5 — No. 173


Earnest Brown IV — LA Rams — Round 5 — No. 174


Shemar Jean-Charles — Green Bay Packers — Round 5 — No. 176


Avery Williams — Atlanta Falcons — Round 5 — No. 183


Ben Mason — Baltimore Ravens — Round 5 — No. 184


Tarron Jackson — Philadelphia Eagles — Round 6 — No. 191


Chris Evans — Cincinnati Bengals — Round 6 — No. 202


Landon Young — New Orleans Saints — Round 6 — No. 206

 

Stone Forsythe — Seattle Seahawks — Round 6 — No. 208


Jalen Camp — Jacksonville Jaguars — Round 6 — No. 209

 

Demetric Felton — Cleveland Browns — Round 6 — No. 211

 

Brady Breeze — Tennessee Titans — Round 6 — No. 215

 

Dazz Newsome — Chicago Bears — Round 6 — No. 221

 

Michael Strachan — Indianapolis Colts — Round 7 — No. 229

 

Jimmy Morrisey — Las Vegas Raiders — Round 7 — No. 230

 

Matt Farniok– Dallas Cowboys — Round 7 — No. 238


Tre Nixon — New England Patriots — Round 7 — No. 242

 

Will Fries — Indianapolis Colts — Round 7 — No. 248

 

Chris Garrett — LA Rams — Round 7 — No. 252

 

Marquiss Spencer — Denver Broncos — Round 7 — No. 253

 

Pressley Harvin III — Pittsburgh Steelers — Round 7 — No. 254

Kawaan Baker — New Orleans Saints — Round 7 — No. 255

2021 NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL DRAFTEES AND SIGNEES
(Players who were drafted are in bold)

FIRST NAME LAST NAME POSITION TEAM
Cary Angeline TE Arizona
Kayode Awosika OL Philadelphia
Kawaan Baker WR New Orleans
Josh Ball T Dallas
Derrick Barnes LB Detroit
John Bates TE Washington
Tavante Beckett S/LB Detroit
Tarik Black WR Indianapolis
Dicaprio Bootle CB Kansas City
Rakeem Boyd RB Detroit
Brady Breeze S Tennessee
Josiah Bronson DT New Orleans
Earnest Brown DE LA Rams
Lorenzo Burns CB Arizona
Matt Bushman TE Las Vegas
Rico Bussey WR Pittsburgh
Cam Bynum CB Minnesota
Jalen Camp WR Jacksonville
Michael Carter II CB NY Jets
Drue Chrisman PT Cincinnati
Samuel Cooper G Baltimore
Tyler Coyle S Dallas
Jacob Curhan T Seattle
Davis Daniel CB Jacksonville
Zach Davidson TE Minnesota
Ben DeLuca S LA Chargers
Tommy Doyle OL Buffalo
Oscar Draguicevich PT Carolina
D’Wayne Eskridge WR Seattle
Chris Evans RB Cincinnati
Matt Farniok G Dallas
Demetric Felton RB Cleveland
Parker Ferguson OL NY Jets
Padriac Fisher LB Carolina
Darrick Forrest S Washington
Miller Forristall TE Tennessee
Stone Forsythe OL Seattle
Will Fries OL Indianapolis
Chris Garrett DE LA Rams
Tyree Gillespie S Las Vegas
Chauncey Golston DE Dallas
Carson Green OL Houston
JaQuan Hardy RB Dallas
Bryce Hargrove OL Atlanta
Pressley Harvin P Pittsburgh
Blake Haubeil K Tennessee
Daelin Hayes DE Baltimore
Brett Heggie OL NY Giants
Nate Hobbs CB Las Vegas
Tristen Hoge G NY Jets
Eli Howard DE Atlanta
Sadarius Hutcherson OL Tampa Bay
Joshua Imatorbhebhe WR Jacksonville
Drake Jackson C Detroit
Deon Jackson RB Indianapolis
Tarron Jackson DE Philadelphia
Jerry Jacobs CB Detroit
Shemar Jean-Charles CB Green Bay
Dwayne Johnson S Atlanta
Kobe Jones DE Atlanta
Naquan Jones DT Tennessee
Isaiah Kaufusi LB Indianapolis
Ryan Langan LS LA Chargers
Deommodore Lenoir CB San Francisco
Artayvious Lynn TE Dallas
CJ Marable RB Chicago
Ben Mason FB Baltimore
Khalil McClain WR Chicago
Jaylon McClain-Sapp CB Kansas City
Ryan McCollum C Houston
Javon McKinley WR Detroit
Zech McPhearson CB Philadelphia
Quinn Meinerz OL Denver
Bryan Mills CB Seattle
Andre Mintze DE Denver
Osirus Mitchell WR Dallas
David Moore OL Carolina
Briley Moore TE Tennesee
Jimmy Morrissey OL Las Vegas
Chris Naggar K NY Jets
Ryan Neuzil OL Atlanta
Dazz Newsome WR Chicago
Tre Nixon WR New England
Josh Pederson TE San Francisco
Kenny Randall DT Atlanta
Curtis Robinson LB Denver
Janarius Robinson DE Minnesota
Aaron Robinson CB NY Giants
Robert Rochell CB LA Rams
Asim Rose Jr. RB Minnesota
Foster Sarell T Baltimore
Jordon Scott DT Minnesota
Tedarrell Slaton DT Green Bay
Ihmir Smith-Marsette WR Minnesota
Charles Snowden OLB Chicago
Dylan Soehner TE New Orleans
Marquiss  Spencer DE Denver
Brandon Stephens CB Baltimore
Darius Stills DT Las Vegas
Jack Stoll TE Philadelphia
Dillon Stoner WR Las Vegas
Michael Strachan WR Indianapolis
Erroll Thompson LB Atlanta
Tariq Thompson S Buffalo
Syrus Tuitele OL Buffalo
Zach Von Rosenberg P Minnesota
Jamar Watson DE Pittsburgh
Avery Williams CB Atlanta
Landon Young T New Orleans
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57 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Players Invited to 2021 NFL Scouting Combine

Friday marks the start of an important step for many football players across the country, as both college pro days and the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine simultaneously get underway.

Among that group are 57 members from the 2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl class who earned invites to the NFL Combine. That number nearly doubles last year’s total of 34 participants and marks a new high for Combine invitees in the Collegiate Bowl’s 10-year history.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL Scouting Combine annually held in Indianapolis was cancelled this year. Although the traditional Combine will not take place, NFL teams are working with colleges to coordinate in-person workouts with the various pro days running from March 5 to April 9. All interviews and psychological testing will take place virtually, and there will be limited in-person medical exams as teams will work with school personnel to obtain comprehensive medical information for each invited prospect.

Here are the 57 Collegiate Bowl players who earned official invites to the altered Combine this year:

First Name Last Name Pos. School
Kayode Awosika G/T University at Buffalo
Joshua Ball T Marshall University
Derrick Barnes LB Purdue University
John Bates TE Boise State University
Rakeem Boyd RB University of Arkansas
Brady Breeze S University of Oregon
Earnest Brown DE Northwestern University
Lorenzo Burns CB University of Arizona
Matt Bushman TE BYU
Rico Bussey WR Hawaii
Camryn Bynum CB Cal Berkeley
Michael Carter II CB Duke University
Drue Chrisman PT Ohio State
Jacob Curhan T Cal Berkeley
Davis Daniel CB University of Georgia
Zachary Davidson TE University of Central Missouri
Tommy Doyle T Miami University
D’Wayne Eskridge WR Western Michigan
Chris Evans RB Michigan
Padriac Fisher LB Northwestern University
Darrick Forrest S University of Cincinnati
Stone Forsythe T University of Florida
William Fries G/T Penn State
Tyree Gillespie S University of Missouri
Chauncey Golston DE University of Iowa
Carson Green T/G Texas A&M University
Pressley Harvin PT Georgia Tech
Blake Haubeil PK Ohio State University
Daelin Hayes DE University Notre Dame
Sadarius Hutcherson G/T South Carolina
Drake Jackson C University of Kentucky
Tarron Jackson DE Coastal Carolina University
Naquan Jones DT Michigan State University
Deommodore Lenoir CB University of Oregon
Ben Mason FB University of Michigan
Javon McKinley WR University of Notre Dame
Zech McPhearson CB Texas Tech
Quinn Meinerz G/C UW-Whitewater
Bryan Mills CB North Carolina Central
Briley Moore TE Kansas State
David Moore G Grambling State
Jimmy Morrissey C Pittsburgh
Dazz Newsome WR UNC-Chapel Hill
Tre Nixon WR UCF
Janarius Robinson DE Florida State
Aaron Robinson CB University of Central Florida
Robert Rochell CB University of Central Arkansas
Tedarrell Slaton DT University of Florida
Ihmir Smith-Marsette WR University of Iowa
Charles Snowden OLB University of Virginia
Dylan Soehner TE Iowa State University
Marquiss Spencer DE Mississippi State
Brandon Stephens CB SMU
Darius Stills DT West Virginia University
Michael Strachan WR Charleston
Erroll Thompson LB Mississippi State
Landon Young T University of Kentucky
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2021 NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL CLASS ANNOUNCED

The NFL Players Association is excited to announce the class of participants for its 2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl experience.

More than 135 of the top seniors in college football are slated to take part in “NFLPA U,” a one-of-a-kind virtual experience on January 13-14 that will continue the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl’s tradition of equipping prospects for the next level. While this year’s on-field showcase portion was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, “NFLPA U” serves as an extension of the nightly workshop provided during our annual week of programming, when active and former NFL players help educate participants on the business of football.

“Because the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl has always been more than just a game, we are excited to be able to present this innovative, virtual experience to our 10th class of prospects,” said NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director Teri Smith. “NFLPA U provides a unique opportunity for this year’s participants to engage with some of our game’s brightest stars while also enlightening them about everything that comes with being a professional football player.”

Click here to view the full roster of college seniors participating in the 10th anniversary edition of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Please note: participants are subject to change.

The first evening of “NFLPA U” will feature former NFL general manager John Dorsey sharing his perspective on the draft process, what management looks for when evaluating prospects and much more. A collection of NFL stars, including Cam Jordan, Adrian Peterson, Deion Sanders, Mike Singletary, Steve Smith Sr. and Michael Vick, will also join Wednesday’s session of “X’s and O’s With The Pros.” Participants will be grouped by position and sent to a virtual huddle room featuring both an active player and NFL legend, who will share valuable wisdom about what it takes to succeed at the pro level.

On the second evening, a panel of top athletes from various sports, including All-Pro running back Todd Gurley and WNBA star Candace Parker, will engage in an unfiltered discussion about important topics, such as leveraging your brand, social justice, using your platform for good and more.

The two days will be emceed by ESPN college football host, reporter and analyst Maria Taylor as well as Super Bowl champion and ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark, respectively.

Fanatics and Electronic Arts serve as the sponsors for this year’s event.

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2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Primer

Central Arkansas defensive back Robert Rochell (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The first of the ‘Big Three’ all-star games gets underway this week, as we at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will kick off our virtual NFLPA U experience on Wednesday! Players chosen for the 10th annual experience will receive recognition for being identified as a top prospect by the NFLPA Bowl scouting department, in addition to the NFL Players Association providing an virtual educational program that helps players transition to the pros.

Several key speakers will be part of the two-day event, which will be hosted by ESPN’s Maria Taylor and Ryan Clark. Former NFL GM John Dorsey will share perspective on what management looks for and expects from players. Also, NFL legends such as Michael Vick, Terrell Davis, Brian Dawkins and Deion Sanders, along with active stars like Cameron Jordan, Jaylon Smith and Todd Gurley, will provide unfiltered wisdom to the participants about the business of football along with the resources available through the NFLPA.

As the union for the players and by the players, we at the NFLPA are excited to prepare prospects for the next level and introduce these future members to their union!

In anticipation of that, we highlight some notable prospects who have accepted their invitation to the 2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl:

Zac Thomas, QB, Appalachian State
Appalachian State signal-caller Zac Thomas is viewed as one of the premier senior quarterback prospects for the 2021 draft class. A three-year starter, Thomas finished his Mountaineers career with nearly 7,000 passing yards and 69 touchdowns, to just 23 interceptions, while completing 63% of his passes. Thomas helped establish a winning culture for the football program, while providing great leadership and demonstrating excellent maturity. His cerebral awareness and knowledge of the playbook are through the roof, which equates to a strong foundation for him to build off as he pursues an NFL career. Thomas should have a lot of appeal on Day Three of the NFL Draft to organizations looking to develop a quality backup quarterback.

Chris Evans, RB, Michigan
A four-star recruit coming out of high school, Michigan running back Chris Evans didn’t quite live up to the hype; but there is no denying the exceptional athleticism and overall talent he possesses. Evans is an elusive open-field runner, able to make defenders miss and pick up yards after contact. He has also proven to be an adequate pass-catcher out of the backfield and while he was limited to just 25 touches (160 yards) for the Wolverines this past season as a senior, his skillset should warrant him a look as a priority free agent and potential third-down back at the next level.

Foster Sarell, OL, Stanford
Stanford offensive lineman Foster Sarell is coming off a stellar senior campaign for The Cardinal, helping them get back to their winning ways in 2020. Sarell was dominant at times this past season manning the right tackle position and finishes his Stanford career starting 17 of 18 games at right tackle, including 15 consecutive starts to finish. His technique, fundamentals, strength and smarts more than compensate for any athletic shortcomings. In fact, there is buzz among NFL circles that Sarell could in fact be selected ahead of his more highly publicized teammate Walker Little, once considered to be a first-round prospect prior to injuries. While Sarell is currently flying under the radar among the mainstream media, NFL front offices are well aware of his potential. Don’t be surprised to see him go on to a long, successful NFL career as a starter.

Tavante Beckett, LB, Marshall
Marshall linebacker Tavante Beckett is no stranger to adversity after transferring from Virginia Tech to Marshall to finish up his collegiate career. He did so with a bang, earning Conference USA 2020 Defensive Player of the Year honors while racking up 90 tackles (7.5 for loss), 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in nine games played. While he may be viewed a bit undersized to man the linebacker position at the next level, Beckett has experience playing at safety and in the nickel. His versatility and instincts bode well for his next level aspirations, and he loves to lay the lumber when presented with the opportunity. Look for Beckett to receive every opportunity to earn his way onto a 53-man roster as a late-round selection/priority free agent. Special teams will be his ticket in.

Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas was in action early and often during the college football season, an impressive feat for an FCS program during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the biggest beneficiaries was senior cornerback prospect Robert Rochell, who created a bit of a buzz for himself with his electric speed, nose for the football and excitement generated with the ball in his hands going the other way. The Shreveport, Louisiana native was constantly around the football, finishing with 27 tackles, creating a forced fumble and scooping up another for a 35-yard return. His résumé includes 10 interceptions and nearly 40 pass breakups during his 38-game Bears career. Blessed with prototypical height and premier speed, Rochell stands a very strong chance to be one of the few small school prospects to hear his name called during draft weekend.


*Tune-in every Thursday to ‘The State of Football’ for the latest NFLPA Collegiate Bowl buzz, featuring director of college recruiting Dane Vandernat at @NFLDraftBible!

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 17: Trey Sermon, Dazz Newsome, Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, Calvin Bundage, Kyle Poland

North Carolina wide receiver Dazz Newsome (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on.   

Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State
One can only marvel with excitement after watching the performances put on by Ohio State senior running back Trey Sermon over the past three weeks, with the exclamation point coming in a Sugar Bowl win against Clemson this past weekend. Sermon was up to his usual tricks, rushing for 193 yards and catching an additional four passes for 61 yards. The previous week, he ran for a school-record 331 yards and a pair of scores in a win over Northwestern during the Big Ten Championship game. On the season, Sermon is averaging seven and a half yards per carry with 868 rushing yards, including 636 rushing yards coming in the past three games! The transfer from Oklahoma had shown flashes of his big-play burst and explosion during his time with the Sooners. Now, Sermon has done it frequently on the biggest of stages during his time in Columbus. Another sensational showing in the College Football National Championship could help cement Sermon as a solid Day Two prospect.

Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
Credit to North Carolina senior wideout Dazz Newsome, who expressed his desire to settle unfinished business by participating in the Orange Bowl, while many of his heralded teammates sat this one out and turned their attention to the upcoming NFL Draft. Newsome delivered with another notable performance, making six receptions for 68 receiving yards and one dazzling touchdown catch. The Hampton, Virginia product has been one of the more reliable performers in the ACC over the past several seasons due to his yard-after-catch ability, as he is tough to close on in open space. Newsome projects as a slot receiver at the next level with his stature, but he plays much bigger than his size indicates and will serve as a great presence inside the facility, as he has been praised for his competitiveness and leadership. In 43 career games with the Tar Heels, Newsome finished with 3,292 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns, including an impressive 11.1 punt return average. Expect this talented playmaker to hear his name called somewhere during the middle of the draft come April.

Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, WR, Northwestern
Northwestern senior wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman began the season as barely a blip on the NFL radar, but his strong play in 2020 has caught the attention from pro scouts as he finished the year with a bang. Chiaokhiao-Bowman saved his best for last, making several clutch catches in the Citrus Bowl, including a touchdown, to help give the Wildcats a win over Auburn. He nabbed eight balls for a career-high 103 receiving yards the previous week versus Ohio State during the Big Ten Championship. The lengthy, agile pass-catcher has demonstrated great run-after-catch ability and has become one of the top red-zone weapons on the team. The Minneapolis native, who also duals as the residential “team barber” and is known to “bring the juice” according to the coaching staff, is a noted hard-worker who had a prolific high school career but emerged as a late bloomer during his time at Evanston. With his size, speed and quickness, he has now done enough to be considered a priority free agent following the draft.

Calvin Bundage, LB, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State employed one of the better defenses during the Mike Gundy era this past season. One of the key cogs has been senior linebacker Calvin Bundage, a three-year starter who bounced back from a season-ending injury a year ago and finished his career off in a big way. Bundage collected a pair of tackles and a half sack in the Cowboys’ victory in the Cheez-It Bowl. Following the game, he annonced his intent to turn pro. Bundage fits the athletic profile of a more modern-day linebacker who can do a little bit of everything. He led the team with seven sacks this season, including 3.5 over the final four games. While his snaps were a bit more reduced than he was previously accustomed to earlier in his career, Bundage made the most of his opportunities as he returned to form and put to rest any questions about his ability to play at a high level coming off injury. He stands a chance to hear his name called late in the draft; if not, he is sure to be in high demand as a priority free agent.

Kyle Poland, LS, West Virginia
West Virginia has become a hotbed for long snappers of late, as senior Kyle Poland is the latest Mountaineers player at the position to garner NFL attention. At 6-2 and 240 pounds, Poland possesses the ideal size, in addition to being one of the most consistent snappers in all of college football this past season. His experience includes playing center during high school, which shows up on film as he demonstrates excellent blocking technique. Poland was named a team captain on two occasions this past year, a testament to his leadership. He credits his development to his predecessors 2020 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl participant Rex Sunahara, currently a member of the Miami Dolphins, and Nick Meadows, who dabbled briefly with a pro career prior to Sunahara. The Morgantown, West Virginia product now looks to follow in those footsteps with an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the possibility of suiting up on Sundays becoming a distinct possibility.

*Be sure to catch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college recruiting Dane Vandernat this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. ET on ‘The State of Football’ show live on @NFLDraftBible!  

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 16: Brady White, Greg McCrae, Calvin Turner, Zac Lefebvre, Divine Deablo

Memphis quarterback Brady White (Photo by Gary Landers)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on.  

Brady White, QB, Memphis
After recently announcing his entry into the upcoming NFL Draft, Memphis senior signal-caller Brady White will go out a winner after another effective performance during the Tigers’ win over FAU in the Montgomery Bowl. White completed 22-of-34 pass attempts for 284 passing yards and three touchdowns, raising his touchdown-to-interception ratio to 31:10 on the season. In fact, the California native accounted for 90 touchdown passes and just 30 interceptions during his past three seasons in Memphis, after spending his first two years at Arizona State. White shows nice touch and anticipation, along with smart decision-making. In what appears to be a thin year for quarterbacks, the soon-to-be 25-year old could offer appeal as a late round developmental selection.

Greg McCrae, RB, Central Florida
An under-heralded prospect amongst the group of senior running backs, Greg McCrae of UCF has been a steady, consistent contributor over the past several seasons, splitting carries in an often crowded backfield. He finishes his Black Knights career with nearly 3,000 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns in 43 games, including 856 total yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. McCrae had seven career games in which he exceeded the 100-yard rushing barrier and his 6.55 career rushing average is an all-time school record. His 12 special teams tackles (eight in 10 games as a freshman) is also notable. The Miami native demonstrates elusiveness in the open field and the ability to make defenders miss. In addition, his special teams experience could justify McCrae being a strong candidate to end up in an NFL camp.

Calvin Turner, RB/WR, Hawaii
A modern-day renaissance man, Hawaii all-purpose weapon Calvin Turner has grabbed the attention of NFL scouts down the home stretch of his 2020 campaign. His 92-yard punt return to bust open the New Mexico Bowl was icing on the cake of his best performance yet, racking up 252 total yards (88 receiving, 60 rushing) and a pair of touchdowns. The JUCO transfer spent his first three seasons at Jacksonville University, playing quarterback and defensive back. Once he transferred to Hawaii, Turner converted into a jackknife, playing an array of roles as a runner, receiver, return man and occasional trick-play quarterback. No longer the best-kept secret in college football, Turner was a three-sport legend in Savannah, Georgia at New Hempstead High School, excelling in football, basketball and track. Don’t be surprised if you hear his name called at some point during the 2021 NFL Draft.

Zac Lefebvre, TE, Buffalo
All guts and no glory, Buffalo tight end Zac Lefebvre has quietly played himself onto the NFL radar due to his blocking prowess. Often used as an inline blocker or H-back, Lefebvre played a key role in the Bulls’ offense, rushing for more than 2,000 yards in just seven games this season. His hand placement, wide base and sound technique are areas of his game that stand out, as the two-year starter also possesses prototype size at 6-5, 250 pounds. An adequate pass-catcher, Lefebrve runs solid routes and demonstrates soft hands, as evidenced with several flashes during his collegiate career. While he isn’t likely to be heavily depended upon in that department, Lefebvre did manage to finish with 49 catches for 539 receiving yards and four touchdowns over the past four seasons. As one of the more polished blocking tight end prospects in this year’s draft, Lefebvre projects as a priority free agent.

Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech fifth-year senior safety Divine Deablo announced his intent to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. A physical, athletic defender, Deablo is a sure tackler in the open field who shows excellent instincts and has been highly productive during his Hokies career. The Winston-Salem native finished his collegiate career with 206 total tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and six career interceptions. A former wide receiver, Deablo converted to the defensive secondary after his freshman season. He is projected to test exceptionally well; at 6-2 and nearly 230 pounds, some teams could even view Deablo as a linebacker at the next level. His appeal as a special teams player early on in his career should make him a candidate to hear his name called on the early portion of Day Three of the draft.

*Be sure to catch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college recruiting Dane Vandernat this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. ET on ‘The State of Football’ show live on @NFLDraftBible! 

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 15: Rhamondre Stevenson, Dedrick Mills, Derrick Deese Jr., Isaiah McDuffie, Antjuan Simmons  

Oklahoma running back Rhamondre Stevenson (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on.  

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma
Oklahoma senior running back Rhamondre Stevenson turned in another strong performance during the Sooners’ win over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship. The bruising back finished with 97 rushing yards on 18 carries and chipped in an additional 36 receiving yards in what could possibly be his final game for the Crimson and Crème. A downhill runner, Stevenson weighs in at 240-plus pounds, can break off big chunks of yardage with his jump-cut ability and packs a powerful stiff arm. He’s also a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield, honing his overall skill-set this past season under Sooners running back coach DeMarco Murray. The Las Vegas native is no stranger to adversity, as he began his collegiate career at Cerritos College CC, which included a 2,111 rushing yard campaign as a sophomore. During his time at JUCO, he slept in the family garage apartment of a teammate and paid rent when he could by working a part-time job. While he is one of the bigger backs eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft, Stevenson also owns one of the more intriguing paths to the pros.

Dedrick Mills, RB, Nebraska
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills wanted to leave something for scouts to think about in the Cornhuskers’ season finale win over Rutgers. The senior went off for a career-high 191 rushing yards on 25 carries (his previous career high was 188 yards against Wisconsin in 2019). Mills began his career at Georgia Tech, rushing for 771 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman, before spending a season at Garden City CC (1,358 rush yards and 19 touchdowns). In 11 games at Nebraska, Mills has accumulated 1,141 yards and 13 touchdowns in 18 games; this despite battling through a knee injury for most of this season, causing him to miss three games. His production or toughness has never been a question. However, his opportunities have been limited and Mills will need to show that he can prove durable. If he can do so, his multi-use as a runner, receiver and blocker could have some appeal at the next level.

Derrick Deese Jr., TE, San Jose State
The San Jose State Spartans have enjoyed an undefeated season (7-0), including their most recent victory over Boise State in the Mountain West Championship. While there have been several standouts on this team who have caught the attention of NFL scouts, one prospect who has flown under the radar is tight end Derrick Deese Jr., the son of Super Bowl Champion Derrick Deese Sr. (49ers). The Spartans pass-catcher saved his best for last, reeling in seven receptions for 76 receiving yards (matching his season-high), while adding his fourth touchdown of the season against the Broncos. Deese Jr. began his career at Golden West CC, where he was highly productive and immediately earned a starting job at San Jose State when he transferred as a junior. With his combination of length, athleticism and bloodlines, it would not be surprising to see an NFL team bring him into training camp for a look-see.

Isaiah McDuffie, LB, Boston College
Boston College senior linebacker Isaiah McDuffie has confirmed his decision to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. McDuffie bounced back from a season-ending knee injury he endured in 2019 to lead the Eagles with 107 tackles in 2020, including seven contests in which he registered double-digit tackles (career-high 16 tackles versus Notre Dame). The emotional leader of the defense earned his stripes on special teams as a freshman before taking over starting linebacker duties as a sophomore. McDuffie has been known to lay the lumber with some of his devastating hits and likes to wear his emotion on his sleeves. He chose Boston College over several other major programs, including Penn State, and coaches rave about his positive influence inside the locker room. His decision comes on the cusp of receiving his degree in applied psychology and human development in December.

Antjuan Simmons, LB, Michigan State
Michigan State leader and team captain Antjuan Simmons has officially declared his intent for the upcoming draft after a stellar season in East Lansing. Simmons was in the middle of the new 4-2 5 defensive scheme implemented by head coach Mel Tucker this season. He led Michigan State with 75 tackles, to go with one sack, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries in seven games. Overall, the senior from Ann Arbor finished his Spartans career with a total of 230 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception. His best game came in their win over Michigan, as he made several key plays. The Spartans have had at least one player selected in 80 straight NFL drafts, the third-longest streak in the nation. Simmons will look to keep that streak alive.


*Be sure to catch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college recruiting Dane Vandernat this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. ET on ‘The State of Football’ show live on @NFLDraftBible! 

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 14: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Jack Anderson, David Curry, Chris Brown, Adam Korsak

Texas’ Chris Brown (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on. 

Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
Coming into the season, many scouts anticipated a big campaign out of Iowa wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The senior finally delivered with a much-needed, bust-out game this past weekend, collecting seven receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns during the Hawkeyes victory over Wisconsin. A world-class sprinter in high school, the Newark, New Jersey native flashes exceptional burst and explosion after the catch. While his deep speed and athleticism are two traits that stand out, Smith-Marsette also possesses tremendous versatility, as he has four rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons. In addition, he has averaged nearly 30 yards per kick return for his career, including two returns for touchdown. While Smith-Marsette didn’t quite stuff the stat sheet this season, his skill-set will be held in high regard among NFL front offices.

Jack Anderson, OL, Texas Tech
One road-grater sure to be paving lanes on Sundays is Texas Tech senior offensive guard Jack Anderson, who elected to opt out of the Red Raiders final two games in order to prepare for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. A four-year starter, Anderson finished the season on a high note, playing a key role in helping guide the Texas Tech offense with over 200 rushing yards in consecutive games for the first time since 2015. The Frisco, Texas native is considered one of the highest rated recruits in school history and his presence was felt from the first day he stepped onto the Lubbock campus. He finishes his career with 38 games played and projects as a mid-late round draft candidate.

David Curry, LB, Georgia Tech
While he may not be the flashiest player, Georgia Tech linebacker David Curry is certainly a well-rounded, fundamentally sound prospect with strong NFL bloodlines. The senior has heated up down the stretch of the season with his third consecutive game of double-digit tackles (48 tackles in his past three games). It’s impressive the way Curry fights his way through the trash and sniffs out the ball-carrier with his swarming mentality. He has also shown great toughness, battling through a handful of ailments throughout his career and playing through a thumb injury for much of last season. His father, Buddy, was an All-Pro linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons and David possesses all the tools in the shed to go onto the NFL and make his own mark.

Chris Brown, S, Texas
Despite the Texas Longhorns being bowl eligible, senior safety Chris Brown has opted to move on to the next stage of his career and prepare for the pros. A fierce competitor known for his clutch plays, Brown made a name for himself early on in his career on special teams before emerging as a starter last season. The Longhorns team captain finished his career with 107 tackles (92 solo), six tackles for loss, one sack and an interception; and, he led the team with seven pass breakups in 2020. Known for his signature celebration “flex,” Brown will now turn his attention toward muscling his way onto an NFL roster.

Adam Korsak, P, Rutgers
It’s no secret that Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano places a heavy emphasis on special teams, as the Scarlet Knights have traditionally had some of the best units in the nation under his regime in Piscataway. However, he has never had a punter quite like Adam Korsak, who amazingly is not one of the semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award. The Melbourne native grew up playing Australian rules football and began punting at the age of five. His distance, along with pinpoint accuracy and rollout kicking style, makes it extremely difficult for opponents to accomplish returns. He had over 400 yards on nine punts (44.7 average) this past week during Rutgers 27-24 overtime win against Maryland. The previous week versus Penn State, Korsak pinned down five punts inside the opponents 20-yard line, something he does on the regular. A secret weapon and under the radar prospect, Korsak has the makings of a longtime pro.

*Be sure to catch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college recruiting Dane Vandernat this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. ET on ‘The State of Football’ show live on @NFLDraftBible!

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