As the month of January quickly approaches in the world of college football, the focus of the national media will quickly look to the future of the young collegiate athletes that will be looking to make the jump to the NFL.
Throughout a season of riveting games, prime time bowls and the inaugural year of college playoffs, the best players from all across the country will get their center stage opportunity to make an impression for scouts and coaches alike at the next level.
On January 17th, The StubHub Center will host the 2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Carson California. Founded in 2012 by the National Football League Players Association, The Collegiate Bowl was created to prepare draft-eligible college football players for a career in the NFL.
For one week prior to the game participants will be introduced and educated into the business aspect of The NFL, as well how to be successful both during and after their respectable NFL careers. Current and former NFL players are invited to participate during the weekly events to share their stories and experiences on what it means to a player in the elite group of America’s most popular sport.
“It was a tremendous experience for me,” said Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Wilson. “The game gave me an opportunity to display my talents for the next level, and from a player’s standpoint, it was good to interact with players from different schools and to learn from professional coaches. I really valued my interactions with the former players who coached us on the field and helped us prepare for what to expect at the professional level off the field.” (nflpa.com)
Since its inaugural year of 2012 former NFL coaches have taken the reigns to lead the squads of the American and National team respectively. Dick Vermeil, a former NFL head coach of the Super Bowl XXXIV champion St Louis Rams has coached the National team for the past 3 years. While the American Team has seen a rotation each year between former NFL head coaches Tom Flores (Raiders), Herm Edwards (Chiefs/Jets) and Dennis Green (Cardinals).
For this year’s Collegiate Bowl, two more NFL coaching legends will set foot on the sidelines. Mike Holmgren, a former Super Bowl coach of The Green Bay Packers in 1996 and head coach of the Seattle Seahawks (1999-2008) will lead the American Team. Former Rams head coach (2000-2005) and Super Bowl offensive coordinator in 1999, Mike Martz will command The National squad.
While both team rosters have not officially been announced, some player invites include: RB Gus Johnson (SFA), FS Durell Eskridge (Syracuse), QB Brandon Bridge (South Alabama) and OT Takoby Cofield (Duke).The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will feature 100 NFL prospects narrowed down from its 325 player big board. The 100 roster slots will be compromised of current senior players from major conferences and small school programs across the nation. Fourteen players that participated in last year’s game were selected in the 2014 NFL Draft.
“The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl has been a great event, and we look forward to presenting the game and practices as part of ESPN’s comprehensive offseason football programming lineup leading up to the NFL Draft,” said Matt Volk, ESPN director, programming and acquisitions. (nflpa.com)
Scheduled for a 1 p.m PT/ 4 p.m. ET kickoff The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will air on ESPN2 on Additionally American and National Practices will be televised on ESPNU on January 14th and 15th. The game and practices will also be available via WatchESPN.
