NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2022: Recap -

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl finished with a wide-right, missed field goal by American team kicker James McCourt in the final seconds. The National defense walked-off with a 25-24 victory in the 9th edition of the NFL Draft showcase, hosted by the Rose Bowl. The 10th annual collegiate All-Star game heated up in the second half after the Americans started the game poised for dominance. They opened with a 14-0 lead over their National rivals early in the second quarter. .Last year’s game was canceled due to the pandemic but former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis claimed the victory for the National team for the second time. “That’s the fun part of this,” Lewis said after the comeback win. “Watching these guys grow and really comeback and play.”

FCS Players Show Out

Coastal Carolina running back Shermari Jones setup the go ahead two-point conversion with a couple nice runs late in the fourth quarter for the National squad. SE Louisiana quarterback Cole Kelley converted a two-point conversion pass to Indiana tight end Peyton Hendershot. Kelley went on to win the game MVP after scoring the final two points with 3:47 left in the game.”Anybody can go and gameplan all year long on their team but to go out and get a playbook in one week with new guys from all over the country and put it in and get everybody on the same page,” Kelley said after winning the game’s MVP. “It’s fun.”. The FCS standout credited the week of NFL coaching and focus on strictly football for his standout performance. Kelley finished with 103 passing yards on 11-of-16 attempts.

Action Packed Second Half

Prior to what became the game-winning drive, USC running back MalePeai showcased his shiftiness with an 18-yard touchdown run to give his team the 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter. The touchdown with 8:15 left in the fourth finally stopped the bleeding after consecutive National scores in the fourth quarter. Malepeai finished with 37 rushing yards and a touchdown in one more return to the Rose Bowl. “As a player, I just wanted to enjoy the moment, be where my feet at and just have fun with it” Malepeai said about scoring in the Rose Bowl again. “It’s just football.”The USC runner said he is grateful for the opportunity to keep building on the confidence from the week and continue showing he belongs.Malepeai’s American team was much more effective running the ball.

Big Plays

Bryant Koback had the longest run of the day with a 36-yard gain in the second quarter.National quarterback Brandon Peters from Illinois scored the National team’s first touchdown with a short scramble that made the game 10-17 with 1:59 left in the third. He found receiver Lance McCutcheon for a diving 31-yards completion earlier in the possession. On he next drive, American receiver Mychal Cooper made his own 30-yard touchdown diving sideline catch to setup his Team in National territory in the third. Edge Sam Williams forced a fumble for the National team on the very next play. That gave the Nationals the ball back in American territory with about three minutes left in the third. Arkansas tight end Blake Kern kept the team rolling.Peters found Kern on the seem and the big tight end got up after nobody touched him on a diving-catch. The Kern 47-yards score made it 17-all with a little more than a minute left in the third.

Sloppy Start

Both teams turned the ball over on their opening drives. Iowa State defensive back Greg Eisworth II intercepted a Chris Oladokun pass for the American team. The interception came only a few plays after his National team fumbled on a converted fourth down during the opening drive. National linebacker Cameron Goode from Cal forced the fumble for the National team after the Americans looked like they convereted a fourth and four. Oklahoma State safety Kolby Peel made a 44-yard return that flipped the field for his National squad.

Standouts

American defensive end Eric Johnson finished with the game’s only sack as he mobbed the tackle and quarterback on a third and 11 early in the second quarter. American linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez also registered a forced fumble. Alabama A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass completed a few nice passes for the American team including an 11-yard touchdown completion to Dai’jean Dixon. That play gave the American team a 14-0 lead with 9 minutes left in the second. Glass finished 9-of-11 for the day. Dixon also caught a 47-yard from Glass that setup the field goal to make it 17-3 in the third quarter. After the game, he said he loved the L.A. atmosphere as the Collegiate Bowl allowed him a week to visit the area for the first time. “I’ll move out here but I heard the cost of living is high,” Dixon joked. He finished as the game’s leading receiver with 131 reception yards. When asked about possibly playing in Los Angeles after the draft, the six-four New Orleans native said, “You never know… I’m just looking for one team to draft me.”

Crisp QB Play

Cal quarterback Charse Garbers found Jequez Ezzard for 13-yard strike late in the first quarter for the American squad.Garbers was also efficient completing 10-of-13 passing attempts.Ezzerd also caught a couple passes from Glass to setup the American teams second touchdown drive. The Sam Houston receiver also showcased his return skills on a nice 13-yard return prior to that drive. Kelley dinked and dunked his way to help the Nationals get their first score. He found Kalil Pimpleton, Stephen Carr and Lance McCutcheon for short games en route to a 26-yard field goal with :17 left in the first half. Players friends and family attended the Rose Bowl as their favorite collegiate players tried to make an impression for NFL scouts and media on an overcast Pasadena day. Media kept getting the colors and team names mixed up.

Head Of The Class

Alabama A&M QB Aqeel Glass (American)

Glass put on a clinic and tied for the longest pass completion of the day. He was efficient and as advertised all week. He is one of the more high-profile prospects from an HBCU and his stock should keep rising.

Cal QB Chase Garbers (American)

The four-year starter at Cal was equally as efficient. Could warrant late day consideration.

Missouri St. DT Eric Johnson (American)

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Johnson made headlines all week with his spin moves and motor. If he tests as well as people think, he could be a steal with the versatility to play three or five-technique.

FCS Elite

Montana St. WR Lance McCutcheon (National)

McCutcheon finished as his teams leading receiver. His highlights included a nice 31-yard grab on fourth down but he made people wow all week. Could move his way up draft boards with good tests.

Sam Houston WR Jequez Ezzerd (American)

Ezzerd showed ability in the return game and he showed he can help an offense move the sticks with his hands and ability to get open. He will have to answer questions about his measurables and why his production tapered off as his career went on.

Nicholls St. WR Dai’Jean Dixon (American)

Dixon was threat throughout the entire game. Although it was tied for the longest grab of the day by the fluky Kern catch, Dixon really made the longest completion of the day. It wasn’t anything new as he finished his career with 236 receptions for 3,802 yards and 35 touchdowns. Dixon could be a steal if he lands in the right spot.

Rising Stock

Ole Miss Edge Sam Williams (National)

Finished with a tackle for a loss and two total tackles. He captured attention from those in attendance all week. Williams may end up one of the highest players selected in this game due to his blend of size and athleticism. He finished last year with 12.5 sacks and should be considered as a DL or standup end at the next level.

Appalachian St. WR Corey Sutton (National)

Two catches for 37 yards but they were both key catches for his team’s comeback. He is a big-bodied receiver and finished his career with 24 touchdowns in three seasons.

Miami LB Zachary McCloud (National)

McCloud walked away as his team’s leading tackler. He also added a fumble recovery. At Miami, he contributed right away as an off-ball linebaker. McCloud made the move to edge later in his career. He might not have the size to play end at the next level but he’s worth a look if he can keep getting to the ball and he proves himself in coverage.

Potential Special Teams Help

Punter Zach Harding (National)

Three punts and 147 yards later. Harding’s punts really kept his team in the game. The 6-5 punter could end up on a roster if he maintains that.

Iowa State S Greg Eisworth II (American)

Defensive backs always come out this game. Eisworth eared himself exposure with that fourteen yard return after a nice interception in the second. He made his living as a run stuff but he could end up on a roster with good tests.

Versatile

Vavae Malepeai (American)

Finished the game with three catches for 12 yards and 37 rushing yards on five carries. The former Trojan showed his versatility which might help him get on a roster. He helped the Trojans with 23 touchdowns over four seasons.

Navy Receiver MyChal Cooper (American)

Three catches for 47 yards despite limited college production. He showed good ability to get open on those play action fakes which is always helpful at the next level.

USC T Jalen McKenzie (American)

McKenzie was stout all week mixing in at guard and tackle. He probably projects more as a guard at the next level but he is solid enough to play tackle in a spot.

Nebraska TE Austin Allen (American)

The 6-foot-9 tight end out of Nebraska had a few highlight catches during the week. He capped it off with one for 18 yards in the game.

The Coaching Pipeline

The Nationals coach Marvin Lewis added he enjoyed making an impact on all prospects. Lewis enjoyed watching the talent improve as the profile of the Collegiate game grows. “They’re gonna get there,” Lewis said about coaching the college players in this game. “Hopefully we can impact on their ability to stay in the NFL.””That’s why you say yes.” Lewis was also flattered by the opportunity to help players he coached in the NFL. That’s the next step,” Lewis said “They’re ready to go start a new career.”He shouted out former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict as a great coach throughout the week. The American team, lead by former Rams coach Jeff Fisher, came out with more swagger and energy but the Nationals team looked more organized and cohesive.

Pro Bowl Coaches

Both staffs were stacked with NFL alumni including Rod Woodson, Vontaze Burfict, Jeff Blake, Jackie Slater, Willie Anderson, Mercedes Lewis, Josh Cribbs, Nick Novak, Aldon Smith, Brandon Manumaleuna, Chris Chambers, Nate Washington, Seneca Wallace and Wade Phillips. Fisher announced he will coach in the upcoming USFL season earlier in the week.

Kenneth Frank James Berry also contributed to this reporting.