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HEAD COACHES: NFL coaching legends Mike Holmgren and Mike Martz will serve as Head Coaches for the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Holmgren will coach the American Team and face Martz’s National Team.
TELEVISION: The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practices and game will be broadcasted live on the ESPN family of channels. The game, scheduled for a 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET kickoff, will air live on ESPN2. In addition, American and National Team practices on January 20 and 21 will be televised live on ESPNU. The game and practices will also be available via WatchESPN.
Rosters: http://collegiate.nflpa.com/2016-game-rosters/
INTERNET: collegiate.nflpa.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/nflpacollegiatebowl
TWITTER: @nflpabowl
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/nflpabowl
GOOGLE+: +NFLPACollegiateBowl
ABOUT THE NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL
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The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is the premier post-season all-star game for draft-eligible college players. The week-long schedule provides participants with a first-class professional experience while introducing them to the business of the National Football League.
Founded in 2012, the annual game gives prospective NFL players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. In 2015, scouts from every NFL club and other professional leagues attended the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl’s practices and game. Nearly 200 NFL Scouts, Player Personnel Staff, GMs and Head Coaches not only watched the live practices and game but also conducted player interviews and reviewed tape.
Participants in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl have the unique opportunity to network with and learn from current and former NFL players. These veterans give players first-hand insight on what it takes to win on and off of the field.
TCU QB Trevone Boykin headlines NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Roster
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
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The fifth-annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, but the real heavy lifting will happen the week prior. Starting on Monday, over a 100 NFL prospects will have the opportunity to audition for scouts during daily practices – former college stars like TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin.
Not only do prospects receive valuable exposure, but they also first-rate education from former NFL coaches like Mike Martz and Mike Holmgren, who will coach the National and American teams respectively. The game will be played at the StubHub Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills with kickoff set for 6 p.m. EST on ESPN2.
Boykin (6-1, 205) finished his career ranked first in TCU history in career passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions and touchdown throws. However, his career ended unceremoniously in San Antonio when he was suspended for the Alamo Bowl after he was arrested following a bar fight. For Boykin, his performance during NFLPA bowl practices will be a chance to repair his image, as well as, an opportunity to prove that he is a legitimate quarterback prospect.
For some NFL teams, Boykin is on the draft board as a wide receiver or return man, but there are some around the league who believe he can play quarterback at the next level. And his former head coach agrees with both sides of the argument.
“There's not any doubt in my mind he can play quarterback,” TCU head coach Gary Patterson told the Fort-Worth Star Telegram. “He's played running back for us. He's played wide receiver for us, all that stuff also. He'd be an unbelievable kickoff and punt returner, especially punt returner.
“But I firmly believe somebody should look at him real close and at least give him a chance at quarterback, to be honest with you. He's one of the best that I've ever been around.”
Boykin, who has been training with prominent quarterback guru George Whitfield, has the arm strength and athleticism desired for the quarterback position, but scouts hope to see improved mechanics, timing and accuracy during NFLPA Bowl practices. While he is an exciting playmaker with the ball, Boykin is still learning the nuances of the quarterback position.
Other notable NFL prospects to watch at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl:
Josh Woodrum, QB, Liberty (6-2, 225) – While mediocre from a physical standpoint with average arm strength and size, Woodrum understands timing and touch and knows how to read coverages. He thrived in a very conservative offense at Liberty and scouts are eager to see him out of his element.
Travis Greene, RB, Bowling Green (5-10, 190) – Greene doesn't have the ideal physical ingredients to line up at running back in the NFL with below average size and strength, but he runs tough and determined between the tackles. He is a slippery runner with strong cuts in the open field to make defenders miss.
Mike Thomas, WR, Southern Miss (6-1, 186) – Not to be confused with Ohio State's standout wide receiver, the Golden Eagle pass catcher actually was more productive this season than the Buckeye wideout. He has lean features, but shows terrific burst out of his routes and quick hands.
Ricardo Louis, WR, Auburn (6-2, 215) – After D'Haquille Williams was dismissed from the program, Louis stepped up as the Tigers' top receiving threat this past season. His ballskills run very hot-and-cold with too many drops on his résumé, but his body control and shake for his size allows him to create space.
Mekale McKay, WR, Cincinnati (6-4, 195) – Over the summer, McKay received high marks from area scouts as one of the top senior wideouts in the country. While his 2015 season didn't live up to the expectations, he has the size and ballskills to highpoint and rebound the ball over defensive backs.
Antwaun Woods, DT, USC (6-1, 320) – The Trojans' starting nose tackle, Woods isn't a rangy player, but attracts double-teams and clogs up the middle of the line of scrimmage due to his wide-bodied base. Although he's a short-area player, he's also a hustler who won't give up on plays.
Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron, (5-11, 222) – While he looks like a safety, Brown plays with the mentality of a linebacker. His lack of height leads to streaky backfield vision, but he has fantastic speed to chase in pursuit and avoid blockers in space – his head coach (Terry Bowden) compares him to Takeo Spikes.
Elandon Roberts, LB, Houston (6-0, 235) – A player how made himself some money in 2015, Roberts wasn't taken seriously as a prospect six months ago, but his senior campaign changed that, leading the Cougars with 142 tackles. He lacks ideal size and length, but he trusts his eyes and hits anything that moves.
Doug Middleton, DS, Appalachian State (6-0, 210) – Physically, Middleton looks like he belonged in the SEC with a strong build, long arms and speed to attack downhill. He needs to improve his take-on skills and anticipation vs. the pass, but he does offer valuable experience on special teams coverages.
Players Representing State of Texas Universities
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Name School Position Number Team
Elandon Roberts Houston LB #44 American
Myke Tavares Incarnate Word LB #58 American
Lachlan Edwards Sam Houston P #19 American
Trevone Boykin TCU QB #2 National
Aaron Green TCU RB #22 National
Adrian Bellard Texas State OT #63 National
Mike Matthews Texas A&M OC #56 National
Kelvin FisherJr UTEP DB #28 National
2016 NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL ROSTER ANALYSIS
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With the big day arriving soon, which players are poised to take full advantage of the game to showcase their skills? The talent has been evenly divided onto the American and National Team rosters, and fans should be excited for the showdown on January 23. We take a look at eight names from each of the squads, highlighting 16 athletes who will arrive in Los Angeles next week to build upon their already impressive college careers.
NATIONAL
Don Jackson, RB, Nevada
As part of an impressive backfield for the Wolfpack, Don Jackson rushed for over 1,000 yards his senior year. By rotating in, he was able to be fresh and really exploited defenses with his speed. To no surprise, each of the four times he rushed over 100 yards, Nevada won, including his season-high, 152-yard game over New Mexico.
Patrick Skov, FB, Georgia Tech
A transfer from Stanford and the younger brother of NFL linebacker Shayne Skov, Patrick Skov paved his own path at Georgia Tech. As the B back, he also served to open the path for those behind him at times, too. He had three touchdowns and 72 yards rushing in the first game of the season, and in an exciting game against Notre Dame, he showcased his soft hands when he had three total touchdowns, including two receiving scores.
Canaan Severin, WR, Virginia
The No. 1 receiving threat for the Cavaliers, No. 9 had to deal with every defense trying to take him away from the offensive game plan. He still managed to lead the Virginia offense in receiving yards and touchdowns, and averaged 14.1 yards per catch despite having a season-long of only 38. Severin had one of the most dominant games by a wide receiver this year against Louisville, with 8 catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns.
Ricardo Louis, WR, Auburn
Ricardo Louis cemented his legacy at Auburn with his catch during the Prayer at Jordan-Hare, but he has developed into a more complete receiver in his senior year. He went over 100 yards twice this season and consistently took the top off the defense with his blazing speed. Even when facing teams who limited his deep-ball presence, Louis still showed up, like in his 10-catch, 76-yard performance in an overtime win over Jacksonville State.
Vontarrius Dora, DE, Louisiana Tech
Vontarrius Dora found himself in opposing backfields quite often for the Bulldogs, as Louisiana Tech enjoyed its best season in a long time. The senior pass-rusher had six sacks, his single-season career high, and 9.5 total tackles for a loss. Ever the intimidating defensive presence, Dora also forced two fumbles.
Quentin Gause, LB, Rutgers
The senior, physical presence for the Scarlet Knights displayed his sideline-to-sideline speed week-in and week-out, notching 96 total tackles on the year. He stuffed his fair share of plays behind the line of scrimmage with 12 tackles for a loss, and even registered a quarterback sack.
James Ross, LB, Michigan
A rotational player, James Ross nevertheless made his presence felt whenever he got on the field. He had nine total tackles in a close win over Minnesota (including his only sack), and had two stops for a loss against Penn State.
Nick O’Toole, P, West Virginia
When the oft high-flying offense of West Virginia did need to punt, they knew they could count on their bearded punter to flip the field. Nick O’Toole helped the Mountaineers average the eleventh most yards per punt in the nation, and even chipped in with a 13-yard rush in a blowout win over Maryland.
AMERICAN
Devin Fuller, WR, UCLA
The former high school quarterback totaled 811 yards on the year, and even with the position change, his talent shone through. Case in point: a seven-catch, 100-yard receiving and two-touchdown performance against Cal. He also had a 56-yard punt return against BYU to help set up an easy UCLA touchdown in what would be a 24-23 win.
Devin Lucien, WR, Arizona State
This athletic, big body, big-time receiver lit up Pac-12 defenses to the tune of 66 catches for 1074 yards and eight touchdowns for the Sun Devils this past year. He finished on an absolute tear, with his last three games as good as any three-game stretch in the country: nine catches for 190 yards and a touchdown against in-state rival Arizona, nine catches for 144 yards and a score against West Virginia, and an unreal eight catches for 200 yards and three touchdowns against Cal.
Ryan Mack, OT, Memphis
Charged with protecting one of the top quarterbacks in the country, Ryan Mack returned the favor by keeping him upright and opening up roads in the run game. The Tigers started off with eight-straight wins and launched themselves into the national spotlight.
Joshua Perkins, TE, Washington
The Cerritos native and physical specimen served as a great security blanked for the Washington Huskies and also remained a force in the run game. He caught 36 catches for 539 yards and three touchdowns. All the while, he was the model of consistency: Perkins had at least 40 yards receiving in seven games this past season.
Antwauwn Woods, DT, USC
For someone of Woods’ stature, the stats just don’t do his ability justice. The man was a dominant force for the Trojans defensive line, constantly penetrating into the backfield with authority. He still had 7.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks on the year, but on almost every play, Woods was pushing offensive linemen back and disrupting offenses.
Reggie Northup, LB, Florida State
While he might not have the name recognition of other Seminole defenders, Northrup was as indispensable as any of them. A rotational member during their 2012 championship run, Northrup became one of the leaders by the time his senior year rolled around, and had 96 tackles, five quarterback hurries, and three passes defensed as an all-purpose linebacker.
Prince Charles Iworah, CB, Western Kentucky
Prince Charles was everywhere for the Hilltoppers, serving as a top-class cover corner for their defense. He finished the year with an astounding 11 passes defensed; impressive when you consider how rarely opposing quarterbacks tended to look his way. He even snagged four interceptions and chipped in a tackle for loss for good measure.
Will Parks, S, Arizona
The hard-hitting safety of the Wildcats will be missed, for both his skills on the back end as well as his tenacity in running downhill. Will Parks had 13.0 tackles for a loss a season ago, and had 7.0 this season. He also had 76 total tackles, seven passes defensed, and two forced fumbles as the heart and soul of the defense.