:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58340157/usa_today_9843554.0.jpg)
As we look towards the NFL Draft, there are multiple all star games that take place beforehand. Players get a chance to showcase their talent for scouts around the NFL in their attempt to get drafted by one of those teams. There were a few games already played, and one featured multiple AAC players. The Spiral Tropical Bowl was played this past weekend, and you can see the AAC participants below.
Spiral Tropical Bowl
DE Christian Johnson, Memphis
P Austin Barnes, ECU
RB Arkeel Newsom, UConn
LB Jayliyn Minor, Cincinnati
LB Junior Joseph, UConn
OT Kendall Calhoun, Cincinnati
TE Jordan Franks, UCF
WR Trevor Steinke, USF
S Jonathan Cook, Memphis
OT Na’Ty Rodgers, Houston
There are still multiple games remaining that feature top AAC Talent. These games are important for the players participating, because it gives them a chance to compete against numerous players from different conferences. Many of these AAC players aren’t watched as much as a Power 5 player playing in this game, so it gives them a chance to prove they can play the game well. Players like Haason Reddick from Temple started their late rise in the NFL Draft in games like these, so expect more names like his to come up.
Below are the games along with the times and dates they are played with the players participating form the AAC.
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
Date: January 20th, 4pm E.T.
Location: The Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
TV: Fox Sports 1
DT Antonio Guerd, UCF
DT Bruce Hector, USF
WR Davon Grayson, ECU
S Devin Abraham, USF
C Gabe Kuhn, Memphis
LB Genard Avery, Memphis
OT Korey Cunningham, Cincinnati
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, USF
DE Adetarami Aruna, Tulane
WR Keith Kirkwood, Temple
CB Parry Nickerson, Tulane
OT Trey Rutherford, UConn
S Sean Chandler, Temple
East-West Shrine Game
Date: January 20th, 3pm E.T.
Location: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Florida)
TV: NFL Network
WR Steven Dunbar, Houston
DE Justin Lawler, SMU
CB Linden Stephens, Cincinnati
QB Riley Ferguson, Memphis
QB Quinton Flowers, USF
RB D’Ernest Johnson, USF
OT Aaron Evans, UCF-injured
DT Folorunso Fatukasi, UConn
DT Jamiyus Pittman, UCF
DT Deadrin Senat, USF
LB D.J. Palmore, Navy
CB Deatrick Nichols, USF
S Jamar Summers, UConn
Senior Bowl
Date: January 27th, 2:30 pm E.T.
Location: Ladd Peebles Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
TV: NFL Network
LB Shaquem Griffin, UCF
WR Anthony Miller, Memphis
WR Tre’Quan Smith, UCF
The AAC produced some great talent for this years draft, and it will be interesting to see where each of these players ends up. Stay tuned later for NFL draft news and profiles from Underdog Dynasty as well!