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Now that another college football season has come and gone -- and just 3 weeks remain in the NFL season — the end is on the horizon for football fans.
But, after the Super Bowl next month, there sits a shining beacon in the middle of a bleak, football-less world: The NFL Draft.
Hope spring eternal for every football fan at the draft. And things get even more exciting when you have a group of players from your favorite college hoping to hear their name called in late April in Texas. And, lucky for you and your favorite college team, the Cougs have plenty of players with Draft aspirations (or Draft-pirations).
And the path to the Draft starts this month with the kickoff of several college football all-star games meant to showcase Draft-eligible stars from across the nation. From Pasadena to Tampa, every game will have its fair share of NFL scouts (along with a few from the CFL) and each game will have its fair share of Cougar players represented on the rosters. Below you’ll find a list of every game, along with the WSU talent that will be featured in each. Just note that some of these lists are tentative and may change in the upcoming days.
1/14/18 - SPIRAL Tropical Bowl - 6 AM PT
Daytona Beach, FL
WSU Player: Marcellus Pippens
TV Coverage: FloFootball.com (Subscription)
It all starts this weekend in Florida when the third annual Tropical Bowl kicks off in Florida. If you’re like me, you’ve never heard of this one, but the game promises that scouts from 27 NFL teams and various CFL scouts will be on hand. Their release says that 110 game alumni have gone on to the NFL. (The release also proclaims the game as a “highly successful FBS college football all-star game.”)
Pippens will look to get his name on the radar when he joins the roster for the “American” against the “National” team. Some other notable players on the rosters include Oregon receiver Charles Nelson, LSU quarterback Danny Etling, Idaho defensive lineman Arie Anderson, Jr., Boise State quarterback Montell Cozart and Arizona running back Zach Green.
1/20/18 - East-West Shrine Game - Noon PT
St. Petersburg, FL
WSU Player: Cody O’Connell
TV Coverage: NFL Network
The Continent looks like he will be the only WSU participant in the historic East-West Shrine Game from Florida. The game has been played annually since 1925 and features scouts from every major NFL team. The game’s website also boasts that 90 players from last year’s game were invited to NFL camps and more than 70 made NFL rosters.
In addition to O’Connell, the rosters include running back Phillip Lindsay from Colorado, Washington center Shelton Coleman, UCLA linebacker Kenny Young and Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett.
Last season, Gabe Marks played in the Shrine Game, catching just 1 pass for 8 yards.
1/20/18 - NFLPA Collegiate Bowl - 1 PM PT
Pasadena, CA
WSU Players: Jamal Morrow, Frankie Luvu (rumored)
TV Coverage: FS1
So few major all-star games... And two of them take place within an hour of each other. Sounds good!
The seventh annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl has yet to announced an official roster. They have confirmed a number of participants, including Morrow here, but anybody else is just a rumor at this point. This website lists Luvu as an invite but, again, it’s not official.
This game is one of the bigger showcases and, carrying the sponsorship of the NFL Players Association, it’s a great opportunity for players to show off in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams. This year, for the first time, the game is also moving from the Stubhub Center in Carson, CA to the Rose Bowl.
In addition to Morrow, other confirmed participants include Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen... And that’s really it. Other schools have announced participating players, but the game should announce their rosters in the upcoming days.
1/27/18 - Reese’s Senior Bowl - 11:30 AM PT
Mobile, AL
WSU Players: Luke Falk, Cole Madison
TV Coverage: NFL Network
Last, but almost certainly not least, the 69th annual Senior Bowl. This one is likely the most famous of all the postseason draft showcases. It’s also one of the most successful, with the game’s website saying that more than 30% of the NFL consists of Senior Bowl alumni.
This is likely the game Coug fans will have their eyes on the most. It will be our first chance to see how Luke Falk adjusts to a more pro-style offense. And he’ll have a chance to do it under some serious pro-level coaching. This season, the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans coaching staffs will take the helm of the teams in Mobile.
In addition to Falk and Madison, the star-studded roster includes Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State’s gunslinging QB Mason Rudolph, Oregon running back Royce Freeman, Utah receiver Darren Carrington and many, many more.
So, best of luck to everyone looking to make their dream come true in these games. Like I said earlier, these lists are changing everyday, so keep an eye out for any additions that will come out in the upcoming days.
If you see someone I left out, post it in the comments below.
Football
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