2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week 9 Scouting Report – Iowa vs Northwestern
In a B1G West battle on Saturday afternoon, the Iowa Hawkeyes returned to .500 with a dominant 33-13 win over rival the Northwestern Wildcats. Although both teams fielded young rosters with few senior starters, several draft-eligible players stood out to NFLPA Bowl scouts, highlighted by the below three.
It was a typical afternoon for All-Big Ten linebacker Jack Campbell. The senior from Cedar Falls, Iowa – who ranked second in the Big 10 last season with an impressive 143 total tackles – was once again all over the field for the Hawkeyes, producing 9 total tackles on the day while seemingly being in on many more stops than that. Possessing elite instincts, athleticism, and range for the position, it’s no surprise that the fourth-year senior makes such an impact. But what NFL scouts get fired up about watching Campbell is his ability to shock and shed blockers with his hands – something many young players have yet to master by the time they reach the pros and what will help allow Campbell to have instant success in the NFL.
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster 2022 for the Hawkeye Offense and quarterback Spencer Petras, but both had arguably their best outings on Saturday while scoring a season-high 33 points and Petras demonstrating his ability to consistently lead the team down the field while taking care of the football. Standing 6-5, 231 pounds, the San Rafael, California native possesses the size, arm talent, and pedigree as a three-year starter that NFL teams covet and displayed time and again versus Northwestern the ability to convert third downs through the air while making some big-time throws in the redzone. For the afternoon, the fifth-year senior completed 21-of-30 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a season-high 79.7 QBR.
A season ago, Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore made his presence felt by racking up 36 tackles, a team-leading four sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, and three passes defended. This year the 2021 All-Big Ten honorable mention performer has already surpassed last season’s sack total while continuing to show the type of versatility that makes him so hard to gameplan against. Against the Hawkeyes on Saturday, the Kansas City, Missouri native officially recorded one quarterback hurry on the afternoon while playing all across the defensive front, including setting a firm edge in the run game and then utilizing his twitch and length to affect Iowa’s passing game. At 6-2, 275 pounds and with 33” arms, Adebawore possesses the all-around size to play on the edge at the next level on 1st and 2nd downs and then reduce down inside in sub in order to rush the passer.
- Published in Bowl Game
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Alumni Spotlight: Week 7
With approximately 250 players on active NFL rosters or practice squads each Sunday, there are numerous NFLPA Collegiate Bowl standouts every week around the league. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, known for being the most diverse all-star game on the NFL Draft circuit has announced the 11th annual event will be held on Saturday, January 28th, 2023, and will air on NFL Network. While we await the next class to be announced, here’s a look at some of the notable alumni who made an impact in NFL week seven action!
Peyton Hendershot & Sam Williams
The Dallas Cowboys got a much-needed shot in the arm with the return of quarterback Dak Prescott this past week but two notable NFLPA Collegiate Bowl alumni from this year’s rookie draft class also played key roles in their win over the Detroit Lions. Prescott found tight end, Peyton Hendershot, for his first career receiving touchdown. In addition, second-round pick Sam Williams enjoyed a breakout game, registering three tackles, two sacks, and one safety, to help seal the deal. Both players appear to have a bright future in ‘Big D,’ as Henderson has begun to heat up and Williams is an important rotational piece along the defensive front.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Coming out of Southern Mississippi in the 2015 draft, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches has quietly built a long, successful NFL career. The sixth-round draft pick initially made his mark in Kansas City, spending his first three seasons with the Chiefs, before a pit stop in Indianapolis. Since 2018, the Alabama native has been entrenched in Tampa Bay, picking up a Super Bowl ring, as a member of the Buccaneers. You may have noticed Nunez-Roches more this season, as he has filled the starting void created when the team declined not to re-sign Ndamukong Suh. He has collected a tackle in every game this season and totaled four this past week versus the Carolina Panthers, while he continues to play some of the best football of his life.
Grover Stewart
Another NFLPA Collegiate Bowl veteran inside the trenches is Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart, who recorded a career-high 12 tackles against the Tennessee Titans. A fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Albany, Stewart bided his time as a rookie waiting patiently for an opportunity. That moment arrived during his third year when earned a starting role early in the season. Stewart has yet to look back since then, signing a three-year $30M contract in 2020 and starting his past 53 games.
Duron Harmon
One of the longest-tenured NFLPA Collegiate Bowl alumni is Las Vegas Raiders safety Duron Harmon, who participated in the second annual all-star game event back in 2013. Currently, in his 10th season, the Rutgers product has brought a certain level of professionalism and accountability inside the locker room. His leadership has also translated to the playing field and he showed up across numerous highlight shows this past weekend with his 73-yard pick-six interception return during the Raiders win over the Houston Texans, resulting in the first touchdown of his pro career! It was a well-served milestone to add to the resume, which also includes 150 games played, 339 tackles, and 23 career interceptions.
Jaylinn Hawkins
Safety Jaylinn Hawkins has been playing lights out for the Atlanta Falcons. He matched his season-high 11 tackles on Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals and now has 43 tackles on the year, along with three passes defended and one forced fumble. Unfortunately, he would not finish the game due to a head injury, as he remains in the NFL-mandated concussion protocol. We wish Hawkins a speedy and healthy recovery!
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Alumni Spotlight
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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Alumni Spotlight: Week 6
With approximately 250 players on active NFL rosters or practice squads each Sunday, there are numerous NFLPA Collegiate Bowl standouts every week around the league. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, known for being the most diverse all-star game on the NFL Draft circuit has announced the 11th annual event will be held on Saturday, January 28th, 2023, and will air on NFL Network. While we await the next class to be announced, here’s a look at some of the notable alumni who made an impact in NFL week six action!
Avery Williams
One of the more intriguing developmental players in the NFL is Atlanta Falcons defensive back-turned-running back and special teams dynamo Avery Williams. An All-Mountain West First Team selection coming out of Boise State, where he was a walk-on, Williams was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. During training camp, the team approached Williams about making a switch to running back due to the lack of depth and injuries on the roster. The move has proven to be a huge success, thanks largely in part to the high football IQ of Williams, who according to head coach Arthur Smith, is one of the smartest players he has ever been around! This past week, the Pasadena native accumulated 84 all-purpose yards in a big win over the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. Two weeks ago, he scored his first career touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In addition, Williams has recorded a special teams tackle in each of the past two games, while also moonlighting as an occasional slot receiver. On the season, he has totaled 54 rushing yards, 26 receiving yards, 97 kick return yards, and 142 punt return yards, while leading the NFL with a 17.8 punt return average. Williams should be viewed as a key building block for the re-made Falcons moving forward.
Brandon Powell
When star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. went down with a torn ACL during the Super Bowl, the Los Angeles Rams knew they were going to have to fill his void both on offense and special teams heading into the 2022 season. While the production has been replaced by multiple players, none have risen to the occasion more than fifth-year veteran Brandon Powell, who is a threat to score with the ball in his hands. The Florida product nabbed four catches, totaling 27 receiving yards for the world champions during their win over the Carolina Panthers this past week. Through the first six games of the season, Powell has accumulated 324 all-purpose yards, including kick and punt returns. In fact, Powell also played a key role during the Rams week two victory over the Arizona Cardinals and contributed with a catch in week two action during a win over the Atlanta Falcons. In fact, the Rams are undefeated in games which Powell records a catch, as he has somewhat played the role of good luck charm.
Foster Sarell
Elevated to the 53-man roster in time for Monday Night Football on prime time, was Los Angeles Chargers offensive lineman Foster Sarell, who is the story of an underdog. Undrafted out of Stanford in 2021, he is one of just four Korean-Americans to play in the NFL. He started 17-of-34 games in college, primarily at right tackle before signing with the Baltimore Ravens. After bouncing around and landing in Los Angeles, Sarell has since stuck his nose in the playbook to learn the complex scheme of headman Brandon Staley. His dedication and commitment was rewarded this past week, as Sarell was able to contribute to the Bolts victory over the Denver Broncos. Here’s to more successful Sunday’s ahead for the Stanford mauler.
Malcolm Roach
The New Orleans Saints have benefitted from the return of defensive tackle Malcolm Roach. A ferocious run-stuffer inside the trenches, Roach has earned a reputation for clogging up the middle, while engulfing double teams and opening up rush lanes for his fellow backers. Roach was basking in the glory of doing the dirty work once again this past Sunday. While his contributions don’t necessarily show up in the box score, he has collected three tackles during the past two weeks, since being activated from the injured reserve. Expect Roach to make a significant impact and provide a big boost for the Saints defense the rest of the way, as the third-year pro could be in line to start for New Orleans.
Quincy Williams
The New York Jets have one of the stingiest defensive units in the NFL, led by head coach Robert Saleh. However, the locomotive in the middle of it all is linebacker Quincy Williams. Returning back from an injury hiatus, Williams propelled the Jets defense with a team-high 14 tackles, pulling off the upset victory over the Green Bay Packers. The Murray State product and Birmingham native has carved out a home in New York after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. His improved play under Saleh has been noticeable, too. In 18 games during his time in Jacksonville, Williams had just 59 total tackles. Through 20 games with the Jets, he has averaged over seven tackles per game, collecting 142 tackles in 20 games played. Quincy, along with his brother Quinnen, are starring for the Jets on Broadway.
Cole Christiansen
One of the traditions that the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl takes great pride in is our ‘Salute To Service’ military commitment, which ensures that at least one top prospect from each of the three military academies (Air Force, Army and Navy) receives an invitation to participate in the most diverse all-star game event on the planet. In 2020, Army linebacker Cole Christiansen earned that distinction and made the most of his opportunity. Signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent, Christiansen would spend two seasons with the organization while appearing in seven games. A notorious special teams standout, Christiansen inked with the Kansas City Chiefs during the offseason and made good on his signing this past week, making an exceptional play on punt coverage to pin the Buffalo Bills down on their own four-yard line. While the Chiefs didn’t pull out the victory, it seemed to be a sign of positive things to come for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Alumni. We salute you CC!
Catch up on past Alumni Spotlights with the links below.
- Published in Bowl Game
2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week 7 Scouting Report – Notre Dame vs Stanford
Under the lights of historic Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday night, NFLPA Bowl scouts had the pleasure of observing the Fighting Irish play host to the Stanford Cardinal in a competition for the Legends Trophy. In dramatic fashion, Stanford secured a 16-14 win with a late field goal to retake the lead over Notre Dame and then a big turnover created by their defense sealed the victory. Numerous NFL prospects took the field for these two celebrated programs, highlighted by the below three.
With a loaded wide receiver corps that includes three seniors with NFL ability, Stanford was able to move the football and convert key downs through the air against the Irish, notably with the imposing Elijah Higgins. Higgins – who hails from Austin, Texas – presents defenders with a difficult matchup due to his extraordinary 6-3, 234-pound frame and is a load to bring down running after the catch. The two-year starter and true senior led all Cardinal pass catchers with 81 yards on five receptions and his impressive 16.2 yards/catch made a big difference in a largely defensive battle. Higgins is off to another strong start in 2022 after leading Stanford in receptions last year.
In a game that featured defense heavily, Cardinal safety Kendall Williamson was a consistent force on the field who helped seal the win late in the fourth quarter. Deep in their own territory and holding only a two-point lead, Williamson forced a fumble on one of his four tackles in the match, enabling a Stanford recovery on the play and victory on the evening. Williamson – a four-year starter and fifth-year senior – brings great pedigree, production, and leadership, in addition to those traits that can’t be coached.
Although the Fighting Irish offense was slow out the gate, Notre Dame linebacker and team captain JD Bertrand had his unit firing on all cylinders, keeping Stanford’s offense out of the endzone on its final 11 possessions. Pacing his team with 13 total tackles and ½ of a sack, the fourth-year senior from Alpharetta, Georgia was a constant presence near the line of scrimmage who helped his team limit the run-heavy Cardinal offense to just 2.3 yards/rush. After leading Notre Dame in tackles last year with triple-digit production, Bertrand is no stranger to ball-carriers and will be instrumental for the Irish going forward.
- Published in Bowl Game
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Alumni Spotlight: Week 5
With approximately 250 players on active NFL rosters or practice squads each Sunday, there are numerous NFLPA Collegiate Bowl standouts every week around the league. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, known for being the most diverse all-star game on the NFL Draft circuit has announced the 11th annual event will be held on Saturday, January 28th, 2023, and will air on NFL Network. While we await the next class to be announced, here’s a look at some of the notable alumni who made an impact in NFL week five action!
Steven Sims
Coming out of Kansas in 2019, wide receiver Steven Sims didn’t register the type of speed (ran 4.56 in the forty-yard dash at his pro day) that NFL scouts hoped to see from a player measuring in at 5-foot-8, so it wasn’t shocking that he went undrafted. However, those in attendance at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practices back then saw a player whose game speed ran much faster than his timed speed. Sims found an opportunity in Washington early on, latching on as a special teams dynamo, and would lead the NFL with 32 kick return attempts as a rookie, while averaging 25.6 yards per return, including one touchdown. He also managed to find a role in the offense, picking up 678 all-purpose yards during his first two seasons in Washington. This year, Sims is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin announced he’ll be inserted as the new return man this week, in hopes of a much-needed boost. Watch out for Sims, he is capable of busting loose for a big play!
Jamal Agnew
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl has done an outstanding job finding special teams standouts over the years and one of the premier returners currently in the NFL is wideout Jamal Agnew of the Jacksonville Jaguars. During his six-year career for the Detroit Lions and Jaguars, the San Diego product has accumulated nearly 1,000 punt return yards, averaging an eye-popping 10.4 yards per return. In addition, he has gained over 2,300 kick return yards, including two 100-plus returns for touchdowns. Since joining the Jaguars a year ago, Agnew has seen his role grow on offense, scoring four touchdowns rushing and receiving. He has also made several big catches in the slot in 2022, serving as one of the top deep threats for quarterback Trevor Lawrence to target.
Jack Cochrane
Upon first glance, South Dakota linebacker Jack Cochrane certainly looked the part, as he walked across the weigh-in stage of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl weigh-ins this past January. The 6-foot-3, 236-pound Cochrane presents an imposing presence on the field and he backed that up with a very productive showing during the 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl week. The Iowa native was promoted to the Kansas City Chiefs active roster for the second consecutive week and the move turned out to pay huge dividends once again. Cochrane set the tone early on, collecting the first Chiefs tackle of the day on kickoff coverage. He would play 17 snaps on special teams during Monday Night Football as Kansas City rallied to defeat Las Vegas. The previous week, Cochrane caused a fumble, which the Chiefs recovered and would eventually lead to a game-sealing drive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is no doubt that the undrafted free agent has maximized the most of his limited opportunities thus far.
Jaylinn Hawkins
A full-time starter for the Atlanta Falcons, safety Jaylinn Hawkins had a career-high 11 tackles this past week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fourth-round pick out of California in 2019 has emerged as a key cog during his third season, totaling 28 tackles through the first five games. Hawkins flashed glimpses of his potential last year, making a handful of starts and gathering two interceptions. This week, Hawkins will be asked to take on one of his toughest tasks to date; trying to contain San Francisco 49ers explosive playmaker Deebo Samuel. Look for Hawkins to be active once again early and often for Atlanta.
Will Parks
A seven-year pro who has been a member of six different NFL organizations, Will Parks is much like his current team, the New York Jets—both have persevered through difficult times. For Parks, who has moved from city-to-city while dealing with a multitude of injuries, he knows first-hand that rent is due every day and an all-out performance is required on a daily basis. That mentality has rubbed off on his teammates, as Parks has served as a rallying point for the Jets. First, on special teams, a few weeks ago, making a critical block during an onside kick recovery for a comeback win against the Browns and then again this past week, making a pair of clutch tackles as New York defeated the Miami Dolphins to improve to 3-2. For his career, the veteran safety has now appeared in 79 career games, including 21 starts, making 191 tackles, while collecting four interceptions.
D’Anthony Bell
The path from Covington, Georgia to the NFL for safety D’Anthony Bell has been full of twists and turns on a long, winding road. A college career, which took him from Albany State, to Iowa Central CC, to Butler CC, and finally West Florida, eventually landed him in Cleveland, where he earned a spot on the Browns final 53-man roster coming out of training camp as an undrafted free agent. While his role has been minimal (he collected his second tackle of the season this past week), the story of Bell should be celebrated. He is the first player from the DII West Florida program to ever make an NFL roster (the school began play in 2016). His combination of size and athleticism was on full display at the 10th Annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in 2022 and that makes him one to watch moving forward, as the Browns look to contend.
*For the latest news and updates surrounding the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl be sure to follow @NFLPABowl
- Published in Bowl Game
2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week 6 Scouting Report – Missouri State vs Southern Illinois
In Springfield, Missouri the hometown Missouri State Bears raced off to an impressive 14-0 lead over the visiting Southern Illinois Salukis midway through the first quarter on Saturday in what was a dominating early performance, but Southern Illinois would not be denied on this day as they reeled off 38 unanswered points en route to a 38-21 upset over the #19 ranked Bears. This Missouri Valley Football Conference rivalry game featured several players from each squad who project to NFL prospects and the below three stood out amongst the rest to NFLPA Bowl scouts in attendance.
Javon Williams Jr. does it all for the Salukis. A former thousand-yard rusher in 2019, the fifth-year senior displayed his versatility once again on Saturday, not only rushing the football but catching it out of the backfield, playing “Wildcat” quarterback, and serving as the team’s primary kickoff and punt returner. Against the Bears, the 6-0, 248-pound athlete rushed 15 times for 45 yards – several in short-yardage situations where he was able to move the pile – threw three passes while completing two for 37 yards, caught four balls for 39 yards, and returned two kickoffs for 43 yards. It’s not often that a player projecting to fullback at the next level is back fielding punts, but, then again, there isn’t much typical about the way the former 1,000 career point high school basketball scorer plays.
Standing just over 5-9, 170-pounds, Saluki wide receiver Avante Cox is undersized by NFL standards. But what the Rochester, Illinois native may lack in stature he makes up for in explosiveness and reliability. Against the Bears on Saturday, the twin brother of fellow Southern Illinois receiver D’Ante’ Cox led all Saluki receivers with seven receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown while adding a kickoff return for 23 yards. Avante’s explosiveness was on display late in the third quarter when, after a sudden change of possession, the Southern Illinois quarterback found Cox for a 41-yard touchdown pass in which he displayed impressive tracking ability, providing the Saluki’s a three-score lead late in the game to help seal the road victory.
Following a breakout junior season where he caught eight touchdowns while accumulating over 1100 receiving yards, fifth-year senior wide receiver Tyrone “Ty” Scott is picking up where he left off, leading the Bears in every major receiving statistical category while projecting to tie last year’s receiving touchdown mark. Against Southern Illinois on Saturday, the former transfer from Central Michigan University once again led the team with four receptions for 60 yards, including an impressive diving 26-yard gain in the first quarter. At 6-3, 200-pounds and with very long arms for his frame, Scott possesses the size and length NFL evaluators look for in outside receivers and displays the soft hands and ball skills needed to win in contested environments.
- Published in Bowl Game
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Alumni Spotlight: Week 4
With approximately 250 players on active NFL rosters or practice squads each Sunday, there are numerous NFLPA Collegiate Bowl standouts every week around the league. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, known for being the most diverse all-star game on the NFL Draft circuit has announced the 11th annual event will be held on Saturday, January 28th, 2023 and will air on NFL Network. While we await the next class to be announced, here’s a look at some of the notable alumni who made an impact in NFL week four action!
Darnell Mooney
The jet fuel rockets of the one Darnell Mooney are starting to rev up. The third-year pro is coming off his first 1,000-yard receiving season while having scored four touchdowns in each of his first two years. Despite a slow start out of the gates in 2022, Mooney began to heat up against the New York Giants this past week, collecting five catches for 94 receiving yards. There were several opportunities to score his first touchdown of this season—the Bears were close but no cigar in this affair. However, keep an eye on the electrifying speed burner, as Mooney could catch fire in the coming weeks!
John Franklin-Myers
A fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, John Franklin-Myers got an early lesson on the business of football. Following a rookie Super Bowl performance, in which he strip-sacked Tom Brady, he would find himself amongst the final roster cuts the following year in training camp. Upon signing with the New York Jets, Franklin-Myers would endure a season-ending injury but would find new hope with the hiring of Robert Saleh as head coach. As he worked his way back from injury and emerged as a key force on the Jets defense, Franklin-Myers would go on to start all 16 games in 2021 and earn a four-year, $55M contract extension along the way. He was back to making big plays this past week, rallying the Jets to a fourth-quarter come-from-behind victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Teair Tart
If Heinz 57 is in need of a new spokesperson, they should look no further than Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Teair Tart, who is the epitome of good things happen to those who wait. Tart made an incredible tipped ball interception off Matt Ryan to help seal the deal for Tennessee in their victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The second youngest of 11 children, the Philadelphia native left football for a brief moment during his time at ASA College after his brother was tragically killed. He would later return to Valley Forge Military Academy before transferring to East Mississippi CC, then Ellsworth CC, and eventually finished his collegiate career at FIU. In 22 career NFL games (15 starts), Tart has collected 28 tackles and 10 quarterback pressures. It’s great to see Tart enjoy such success after persevering through all the adversity, kudos.
Frankie Luvu
One of the most improved players early on in 2022 has been Carolina Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu, who led the Panthers with 11 tackles this past week against the Arizona Cardinals. An undrafted free agent in 2018, Luvu would appear in 40 games (four starts) in three years before signing with Carolina and registering a career high 43 tackles in 16 games (four starts) a season ago. Now a full-time starter, Luvu has 32 tackles through the first four games, including five tackles for loss and a pick-six interception return. The Samoan native has been one of the lone bright spots on the team this year.
Nate Hobbs
Las Vegas Raiders defender Nate Hobbs has emerged as one of the more impressive physical, man-coverage cornerbacks in the NFL. That was on full display once again this past week, as Hobbs made numerous contributions during the Raiders first win of the season over the division-rival Denver Broncos. Hobbs made three tackles, including a cornerback blitz, which surprised Russell Wilson and resulted in a sack. A fifth-round pick in 2021, the Louisville native has emerged as a key starter and has accumulated 101 tackles through his first 20 career games played.
Zech McPhearson
You would not have known from surfing the box scores but Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Zech McPhearson played the most outstanding game of his career this past Sunday. The second-year pro out of Texas Tech stepped in for Darius Slay, who would leave the game due to injury just three plays into the contest. McPherson did an admirable job shutting down the various Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers and keeping them in check the entire game, logging 44 snaps. While he didn’t register any tackles on the stat sheet, when the bell rang and McPhearson heard his name called, he was ready for the opportunity. The Eagles have taken on the persona of a heavyweight contender in a 17-round championship fight thanks to role players such as McPherson.
*For the latest news and updates surrounding the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl be sure to follow @NFLPABowl
- Published in Bowl Game
2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week 5 Scouting Report – TCU vs Oklahoma
One of the bigger shockers in Week 5 was the domination by unranked TCU over #18 Oklahoma to the tune of 55-24. The match was ripe with explosive plays as the Horned Frogs scored an astounding four touchdowns of at least 62 yards while the Sooners understandably struggled on offense after star quarterback Dillon Gabriel left the contest in the second-quarter with an injury. Despite the one-sided nature of the game, several senior players stood out to NFLPA scouts from both squads, highlighted below.
TCU quarterback Max Duggan is having quite the career season and possibly saved his best performance for this past weekend. Against a talented Sooners squad, the rare four-year starter finished 23-of-33 for 302 yards and three touchdowns through the air while adding five rushes for 62 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Iowa native showed great field vision and anticipation with his throws while maneuvering around in the pocket well to buy time for receivers to get open. Duggan also displayed some explosive athleticism, namely pulling a zone-read prior to racing down the right sideline outrunning defenders’ angles en route to a 67-yard touchdown scramble. NFL scouts love to see the fiery competitiveness that the Academic All-Big 12 performer displayed, as well as the affection teammates displayed while celebrating.
Dee Winters played like a man possessed against Oklahoma, recording a season-high eight total tackles, two sacks, and a big first-quarter fumble recovery that helped set up a touchdown for the Horned Frog offense and the tone for the rest of the day. Winters – who led TCU in tackles last year from his linebacker position – is a modern-day prototypical WILL in that what he lacks in stature standing at 5-11, 228 pounds he makes up for with athleticism and explosiveness. The fourth-year senior was all over the field on Saturday, making tackles in the box vs the run, out in flats versus the pass, and influencing the quarterback in several different ways. With the Brenham, Texas native’s competitiveness, instincts, and speed, it’s easy to project his skillset to playing on Sundays.
Punters aren’t praised very often – and Oklahoma sure hasn’t punted much in recent history – but Michael Turk’s leg showed brightly on Saturday as he helped his team by booming punts and placing them accurately downfield. The All-Big 12 performer from a year ago against TCU punted eight times for 375 yards, two touchbacks, three inside the 20, and a long of 60. One of his touchbacks was clearly lost in the sun by his gunners as it should have also been downed inside the 10-yard line. The sixth-year senior performed admirably while averaging a yard better on the day than his impressive career average of 45.9 yards/punt.
- Published in Bowl Game
2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week 5 Scouting Report – Missouri vs Georgia
Under the lights on Saturday night in Columbia, Missouri, the 2-2 Missouri Tigers put up a tough fight against the 4-0 defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs, leading the entire game late into the fourth quarter. Although the #1 team in the land would eventually score the game-winning touchdown with four minutes remaining, the contest had several senior prospects from both schools stand out in the NFLPA Bowl in this spirited matchup that came down to the wire.
All evening long, the Tiger defense stressed Georgia’s quarterback, pressuring him seemingly on every throw while officially recording seven hurries and two sacks in the game. One of those sacks came from senior DT Darius Robinson whose stock has been steadily rising since last year. At 6-5, 295-pounds and with an eye-opening 84 ¾” wingspan, Robinson possesses elite physical measurements for his position that stack up to any 1st round draft pick in recent history. On tape, the Southfield, Michigan native has flashed some elite traits while playing heavy-handed as a 2.5-year starter, but he battled through injuries a season ago that hampered some of his production. Now healthy again, the team leader and captain on Saturday night made his mark against arguably his best competition of the year and is on pace to establish career-highs across the board.
Though he may not have had gawdy statistics or the efficiency he had hoped, senior Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett did everything he needed to do to march his team down the field in the fourth quarter to score back-to-back touchdowns, securing the victory on Saturday night while keeping the Bulldogs unbeaten. On paper, the sixth-year senior was 24-of-43 for 312 yards – although in the second half of the game he was a much more efficient 14-of-20 for 163 yards – maneuvering to evade rushers while finding open lanes from which to throw. The aforementioned Mizzou pass rush did their part to disrupt Georgia’ Offense and keep the pressure on Bennett, but he spread the ball around to 10 different Bulldog receivers while striking some big plays downfield to their talented tight ends. In the end, it was just enough to come away with a hard-earned 26-22 win – by far the most important stat of the night.
It may be unusual for a running back to lead a team in receptions but senior Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh continuously shows why he’s such a dangerous ball carrier and versatile weapon. Against Missouri, the fourth-year senior on this night paced all Bulldog rushers with 65-yards rushing on 11 carries and added 1 reception for 10 yards, giving him 22 total receptions for the season. Built like a modern NFL running back standing just under 6-0, 207 pounds, the Fort Lauderdale native has the game-breaking speed to not only capture the edge of a defense but to score when in the open field, as well as the ball skills NFL offenses covet in today’s modern passing game.
- Published in Bowl Game
2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Week 5 Scouting Report – Kansas vs Iowa State
On Saturday in Lawrence, Kansas, a Big 12 Conference battle between 4-0 Kansas and 3-1 Iowa State took place, pairing two very well-coached teams flying under the national college football radar. In what was largely a defensive struggle, several seniors stood out to NFLPA Bowl scouts for their strong performances.
After beginning his collegiate career as a Tight End, Earl Bostick Jr. has been a 2.5-year starter at Tackle for the Jayhawks – the past two seasons anchoring the left-side – and the athleticism that served him as a pass catcher now aids his ability as the blind-side protector. Standing north of 6-6, 310 pounds and with 34” arms, the super senior from South Carolina possesses the prototypical frame NFL scouts seek along with the foot quickness needed to position and seal as a blocker. Although the Jayhawks did not put up the type of numbers on Offense that might have been expected, Bostic and company held a potent Cyclone pass rush to a single sack on the afternoon while paving the way for 112 yards on the ground. Bostic continues to show great effort and physicality as a blocker to go along with his elite athleticism, and he will have another great opportunity to showcase his abilities this Saturday when #17 TCU comes to town.
After leading both the Big 12 Conference and all safeties nationally a year ago in tackles, Kenny Logan Jr.’s play put him firmly on NFL radars entering the 2022 season, and he has not disappointed through the first five games of the year. Against Iowa State on Saturday, the 2nd-Team All-Conference pick from a season ago recorded four solo tackles and a pass breakup in the contest, making it three straight games that the hard hitter from Florida has recorded a pass defended. NFL teams routinely want to see Safety prospects be able to not only be reliable tacklers but impactful participants in the passing game, and Logan’s current trajectory has him on pace to tie his career-high in passes defensed while setting a new best in interceptions.
A season ago, Xavier Hutchinson surprised some by opting to return to Iowa State rather than pursue the National Football League; after all, the big, physical wide receiver led the Big 12 in receptions (83) and caught a career-best five touchdown passes. Betting on himself has paid off to date, however, and Hutchinson easily led all receivers in the game with 13 receptions for 101 yards. Utilizing his 6-2, 208-pound frame, the Jacksonville, Florida native possesses a great blend of size and explosiveness, which he uses to create both separation from defenders and big gains running after the catch. In all five games to start this season, Hutchinson has recorded at least eight receptions in each and five touchdowns overall, putting him on pace to shatter his previous high marks in every statistical category.
- Published in Bowl Game