The 79th Annual Hula Bowl All-Star game will take place this coming Saturday, January 11th at the FBC Mortgage Center in Orlando, Florida at 12 noon ET on CBS Sports Network. Formerly, the Hula Bowl was a game that was played in Hawaii but starting with the 2022 edition, the Hula Bowl was moved to Florida. It still is one of the three premiere college all-star games, measuring just below the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl, both of which take place during the off week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl, and is a major destination on the road to the NFL Draft. The prospects that will be playing on Saturday afternoon are not considered the top players available – none of these players are likely to carry a Top 100 grade next April. Those players will be either featured in the Shrine or Senior Bowls or will not participate in any all-star game. Most of the prospects who will play on Saturday afternoon will earn day three grades or be priority free agents who will be signed after the draft concludes this spring.
QB
Spencer Petras / Utah State |
Brady Cook / Missouri |
Will Rogers / Washington |
Matthew Downing / Elon |
Connor Bazelak / Bowling Green |
Payton Thorne / Auburn |
In the typical NFL Draft, somewhere between eight to twelve QBs get drafted and another dozen or so prospects gain training camp invitations or tryouts. The group of QBs in Orlando are an experienced group of signal callers with plenty of mileage accrued during their college careers. Rogers has been highly productive during stops in the SEC and Big Ten (Mississippi State and Washington) with nearly 15,000 yards passing and 108 career passing TDs. After throwing for 2,458 yards and 14 TDs this season in Seattle, Rogers is looking to continue his development as a more traditional pro-style QB this week in Orlando after keying the Mike Leach spread offenses in Starkville. Rogers is unlikely to get drafted but should be in a training camp this summer. Bazelak has improved steadily over his two years in Bowling Green after transferring in from Indiana (after a stint at Missouri). He has significantly improved as a decision maker but questions remain about his arm strength. Thorne has thrown for nearly 11,000 yards in four years of starting experience at Auburn and Michigan State and has proven to be tough and resilient during his time in college, especially the last two years at Auburn. Petras started his career at Iowa and started the better part of two college seasons in the Big Ten but struggled with consistency, accuracy, and decision-making. Those issues have persisted at Utah State but his size and arm strength are prototypical and may interest teams looking to develop a QB.
RB
Rahsul Faison / Utah State |
Mario Anderson / Memphis |
Jacory Croskey-Merritt / Arizona |
Micah Bernard / Utah |
Peny Boone / UCF |
Quinton Cooley / Liberty |
ShunDerrick Powell / Central Arkansas |
The RBs participating in Hula Bowl practices this week are looking to make a positive impression on the scouting community to earn their way onto a team’s post-draft workouts and camp invitations this summer. Bernard is a physical and strong inside runner who plays much bigger than his size. He has an injury plagued history at Utah but his sixth year of college was his best where he cracked 1,000 yards rushing and averaged 5.1 yards per carry as a senior, and he should compete for a roster spot this fall. Boone rushed for 1,400 yards, 15 TDs, and 7.2 yards per carry in 2023 at Toledo but found himself stuck behind All-American RJ Harvey, who had a breakthrough year in Orlando last year, relegating Boone to backup duties. Boone is a big, powerful runner who is a load to handle, especially near the end zone, but needs to prove himself as a receiver to earn an opportunity in the NFL. Cooley has established himself as a reliable option for Liberty over the past two seasons and offers a complete skill set of inside and outside running skills. Cooley needs to prove himself as a receiver and route runner and show he can become a quality pass protector to make a practice squad next fall.
WR
Gage Larvadain / South Carolina |
Jerjuan Newton / Toledo |
Luke Floriea / Kent State |
Kelly Akharaiya / Mississippi State |
Jordan Moore / Duke |
Elijhah Badger / Florida |
Efton Chism / Eastern Washington |
Roc Taylor / Memphis |
Winston Wright / East Carolina |
Jamaal Pritchett / South Alabama |
Chandler Brayboy / Elon |
Darius Lassiter / BYU |
Xzavier Henderson / Cincinnati |
Cade McDonald / Miami, Oh |
Chimere Dike / Florida |
Kobe Hudson / UCF |
The 2025 WR class looks to be at the same level as last year’s class. That is to say, this class looks like it could provide several contributors next season with a couple of the prospects playing in the Hula Bowl being possible contributors. Newton has three straight years of quality production including 177 receptions for over 2,500 yards and 29 TDs for the Rockets. Although Newton has only average size, he is very quick and has been Toledo’s go-to receiver on third down for multiple seasons. Newton could shine during Hula Bowl practices this week. Badger nearly entered the draft last year after catching 135 passes for nearly 1,600 yards and ten TDs over two seasons at Arizona State before transferring to Gainesville. Badger averaged better than 20 yards per reception this last season and he has proven to be a big play threat throughout his college career. Concerns remain about his ability to create separation as too many of his catches are contested. Dike, a transfer from Wisconsin, offers dynamic speed on the outside but his most intriguing attribute is his special teams ability. Namely, he is a very dangerous kick returner who should be in an NFL camp this summer. The most talented WR in Orlando this week may be Henderson, a former 5-star recruit, has a unique combination of size and speed that will entice every NFL team. Henderson underachieved at Florida before transferring to Cincinnati where he started to tap into his immense potential. With a quality week, Henderson may get drafted this spring.
TE
Kole Taylor / West Virginia |
Anthony Torres / Toledo |
Carter Runyon / Towson University |
Tyler Neville / Virginia |
Jermaine Terry / Oregon State |
Stevo Klotz / Iowa State |
Keleki Latu / Washington |
Joshua Simon / South Carolina |
The TEs practicing in Orlando this week do not project to be stars at the NFL-level but there are several prospects that fit what the league is looking for in TEs regarding physical measurements and size. Taylor, a transfer from LSU, is the highest-rated TE practicing this week and is an athletic mismatch piece in the passing attack for the Mountaineers. He lacks some lower body size and can be overwhelmed at times in run blocking. Neville, a transfer from Harvard, took advantage of his lone season in Charlottesville and became a reliable midfield weapon in the Cavaliers’ offensive attack this season catching 37 passes for 394 yards and two TDs. Neville is an ascending talent who could shine on Saturday. Terry is an athletic TE who can press the seam and create mismatches over the intermediate zone. But he has battled injuries throughout his college career. The former California Golden Bear transfer needs a good week to move up draft boards this spring.
Offensive Line
Valentin Senn / OT / UCONN |
Jordan Williams / OT / Georgia Tech |
Reid Holskey / OT / Miami, Oh |
Brayden Swartout / OT / Central Michigan |
Payton Collins / OT / Eastern Kentucky |
Dalton Cooper / OT / Oklahoma State |
Amari Kight / OT / UCF |
Michael Tarquin / OT / Oklahoma |
Brandon Yates / IOL / West Virginia |
Addison West / IOL / Western Michigan |
JJ Lippe / IOL / Northern Illinois |
Drew Moss / IOL / Colorado State |
Lucas Scott / IOL / Army |
Jacob Gideon / IOL / Western Michigan |
Quinn Carroll / OL / Minnesota |
Dartanyan Tinsley / IOL / Cincinnati |
Eli Cox / IOL / Kentucky |
Clay Webb / IOL / Jacksonville State |
Jarrod Hufford / IOL / Iowa State |
Luke Kandra / IOL / Cincinnati |
Justin Mayers / IOL / Colorado |
Torricelli Simpkins III / IOL / South Carolina |
The offensive line group practicing this week in Orlando should offer a talented bunch of prospects that will give NFL teams some young players who should contribute early in their careers. Several of the prospects at the Hula Bowl look like prime candidates to compete for roster spots this summer. Williams is an experienced and durable ORT with prototypical measureables and ideal length for blocking on the outside. Georgia Tech’s offensive line is one of the most underrated position groups in college football this season and Williams is a major contributor. Williams should compete for a practice squad spot this summer. Tarquin is a highly traveled college offensive lineman (Oklahoma is his third stop after enrolling at Florida before transferring to USC) with experience all along the OL. This versatility is his strength and may earn him a job next fall. West and Gideon have played together on Western Michigan’s OL for a couple of seasons and both have developed into NFL prospects. Gideon was a finalist for the Rimington Award, given to the nation’s top center, but lacks ideal size and can have trouble with size on his nose. But he is a smart and savvy technician that could see his name called late on day three in Green Bay in April. Carroll is an experienced Big Ten OL with great size and length. He has started games at guard and ORT and looks to have the length and strength to man ORT in the NFL, although his mobility is not ideal. Carroll should get drafted in the sixth or seventh round in April. Cox has started or played in 55 career games, mostly at center, and looks the part of an NFL pivotman with the preferred size and frame for manning the middle of the offensive line. The 2025 center class does not seem up to par to recent classes and Cox’s SEC experience may give him an edge in gaining a practice squad spot this fall.
Defensive Line
Danny Striggow / EDGE / Minnesota |
Jahvaree Ritzie / EDGE / North Carolina |
JJ Weaver / EDGE-LB / Kentucky |
Jasheen Davis / EDGE / Wake Forest |
Garmon Randolph / EDGE / Baylor |
Xavier Carlton / EDGE / California |
BJ Green / EDGE / Colorado |
Steve Linton / EDGE-LB / Texas Tech |
TJ Jackson / IDL / West Virginia |
Fatorma Mulbah / IDL / West Virginia |
Davin Vann / DL / North Carolina State |
Junior Tafuna / IDL / Utah |
Westley Neal / IDL / Rhode Island |
Devonte O'Malley / IDL / Northern Illinois |
Ricky Barber / IDL / UCF |
Chidozie Nwankwo / IDL / Colorado |
DeAndre Jules / IDL / South Carolina |
Kyonte Hamilton / IDL / Rutgers |
Shane Cokes / DL / Colorado |
The defensive linemen participating in Hula Bowl practices this week all offer elements that NFL teams are looking for but every one of these prospects have holes in their games that need to be addressed before they can contribute at the professional level. Striggow has started multiple seasons at EDGE for the Golden Gophers and is a steady, reliable hand that sets a strong edge in the run game. He has limited bend and burst and needs to display quality athleticism in practices to warrant draft consideration in April. Weaver is perhaps the most athletic EDGE Rusher practicing this week in Orlando and he has a skill set that translates well to off the ball LB. He has the length desired in space and flashes elite closing skills on the QB in the pocket. Consistency has been a problem but he could be a better player in the NFL than college. Randolph has rare size and length (6’8” / 260 lbs) but he has yet to meet his potential. He is athletic enough to drop into space and not look lost but his production does not meet his potential and he disappears for stretches. Scouts will evaluating Randolph closely this week. Vann has been an integral part of the Wolfpack defense for the better part of three seasons and has been a steady and reliable defender up front in the ACC. But Vann has tweener size (6’2” / 276 lbs) and skill set that limits his upside. Vann hustles, chases, sets a strong edge, and has the mentality to compete for a roster spot next fall. Tafuna is an old-fashioned, two gap DT who does not offer much as a pass rusher but he closes down inside lanes and pushes the pocket with power. Tafuna is strong and physical and will push for a roster spot over the summer. Cokes is a late riser after a solid senior season in Boulder. Cokes plays DT for the Buffaloes but lacks the size to line up down after down inside in the NFL. He needs to display the athleticism to slide out to EDGE or the power to stay inside. This week in Orlando is a huge one to get Cokes in a training camp this summer.
LB
Jaheim Thomas / Wisconsin |
Jake Chaney / Wisconsin |
Nick Jackson / Iowa |
Branson Combs / Wake Forest |
Seth Coleman / Illinois |
Dorian Mausi / Auburn |
Austin Keys / Auburn |
Power Echols / North Carolina |
Ruben Hyppolite / Maryland |
Karene Reid / Utah |
Matt Jones / Baylor |
LaVonta Bentley / Colorado |
The 2025 LB class looks especially talented and similarly, the LBs practicing this week in Orlando look like there a bunch of solid contributors with several potential starters in attendance. Jackson has starred at Virginia and then Iowa and has proven to be a tackling machine at both schools with over 500 total tackles recorded. He is instinctive and flashes dangerous blitzing ability. Jackson should push for a roster spot this fall. Coleman is an ascending talent who just seems to be starting to reach his potential. He possesses an outstanding combination of frame, length, and athleticism to play in an even man front as an EDGE and an odd man front as an off the ball LB. Coleman has recorded 16 TFLs over the past two seasons and seems ideally suited to play EDGE in the NFL. Echols had a somewhat disappointing senior season in Chapel Hill seeing his tackles, TFLs, and forced fumbles decline from 2023, but the Tar Heels struggled as a whole, this season. Echols plays a fast and physical brand of football where he is best when he is allowed to fly around and unload on ball carriers. Echols will not fit every NFL defensive system but he plays hard and should excel on special teams. Bentley, a transfer from Clemson, is an undersized ILB who relies on quickness and range to effectively man the middle of the defense. Bentley does not shed blocks as well as desired but he fights and scraps to the echo of the whistle. Coaches will love having Bentley on their team.
Defensive Backs
Keionte Scott / CB / Auburn |
Car'lin Vigers / CB / ULM |
Isas Waxter / CB / Villanova |
Jordan Oladokun / CB / Bowling Green |
Bryce Phillips / CB / SDSU |
Nyzier Fourqurean / CB / Wisconsin |
Donte Kent / CB / Central Michigan |
Fentrell Cypress / CB / Florida State |
Cam Stone / CB / Hawaii |
Myles Purchase / CB / Iowa State |
Alijah Huzzie / CB / North Carolina |
Kendall Bohler / CB / Florida A&M |
Johnathan Edwards / CB / Tulane |
James Burgess / CB / Alabama State |
Aydan White / CB / North Carolina State |
Odonnell Fortune / CB / South Carolina |
Major Burns / S / LSU |
Mike Smith / S / Eastern Kentucky |
Xavier Nwankpa / S / Iowa |
Bryan Addison / S / UCLA |
Donovan McMillon / S / Pittsburgh |
Kamren Fabiculanan / S / Washington |
Trikweze Bridges / S / Florida |
Kitan Crawford / S / Nevada |
Kenyatta Watson / S / Georgia State |
Zion Childress / S / Kentucky |
Alakai Gilman / S / Utah |
Shaquan Loyal / S / Rutgers |
Keondre Jackson / S / Illinois State |
The 2025 NFL Draft seems set to provide another solid group of CBs and safeties to a league where demand always exceeds supply. The top DBs will be participating in all-star game practices later this month in Arlington and Mobile. But the players in Orlando look like quality NFL prospects who should compete for practice squad slots this summer. Cypress was a Freshman All-American at Virginia but after a solid first season in Tallahassee, his play regressed and he is now a borderline draftable prospect this spring. Cypress has good length and has solid coverage skills and instincts but he is very thin and has difficulty with physical WRs in space. His lack of ball skills over the past two seasons (zero INTs) is concerning. White has put together two good seasons in Raleigh and offers the frame and length desired in an outside CB. The biggest concern about White is his long speed and ability to stick in coverage with WRs with an extra gear down field. A good week of practice in Orlando may help to address that concern. Nwankpa is a big, strong, and physical safety with excellent size and length. He brings the hammer in run support and is excellent against the run. His ability to play as a deep safety is a concern due to issues with Nwankpa’s agility and speed. His lack of ball production (one INT over the last two seasons with only three passes defensed over that span) is concerning. Addison has only one year of starting experience after transferring to UCLA from Oregon but he displayed play making ability as a classic free safety with the range and ball skills to make QBs pay for mistakes made over the middle of the field. With a good week of Hula Bowl practices, Addison may get selected late in April’s draft. McMillon, a transfer from Florida, assembled two good seasons in the Pitt secondary and has the frame and length that secondary coaches want in their safeties. McMillon is a very good tackler who breaks down well in the open field to secure the tackle. The concern coming into this season was the lack of ball production in 2023. But McMillon acquitted himself well this past season, intercepting one pass and recording eight passes defensed. McMillon should compete for a roster spot this fall.
Specialists
Tyler Loop / K / Arizona |
Brendan Hall / P / Montana State |
Austin Riggs / LS / Rutgers |
Alex Mastromanno / P / Florida State |
Dragan Kesich / K / Minnesota |
Maddux Trujillo / K / Temple |
Donato Crisanti / LS / Rhode Island |
Jesse Mirco / P / Vanderbilt |
Graham Nicholson / K / Alabama |
Mark Vassett / P / Colorado |
Although no kickers or punters at the Hula Bowl seem likely to get drafted in Green Bay in April, the specialists participating in practices this week have the skills to push for a roster or practice squad spot this fall. Loop and Kesich have NFL-caliber leg strength with a maximum range of 58-60 yards. Nicholson, the 2023 Lou Groza Award winner at Miami, OH, regressed after transferring to Alabama but is reliable up to 55-yards and will be in a training camp next summer. Amongst the punters working out this week, Hall (6’9”) and Vassett (6’4”) are huge punters with correspondingly huge legs. Both punters will compete for roster spots this summer.
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