Deland, Texas
It’s the 80th running and anniversary of the Hula Bowl, one of the longest-standing College All-Star games. This was my first Hula Bowl. I was fortunate to attend practice sessions during the week leading up to the Hula Bowl game. The two teams were coached by former Super Bowl-winning coach and popular football personality Jon Gruden and his brother Jay Gruden, also a former NFL Head Coach with Washington. Players from all over not only the country, but all over the world are invited to participate and showcase their skills both on and off the field. Scouts from the NFL, CFL, and UFL were in attendance, beginning their preparation for the upcoming draft season. The Hula Bowl is typically the third-rated Bowl on the All-Star game circuit after the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl, but it is not short on talent. Players that have participated in the previous year’s Hula Bowls have included NFL standouts Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders, Isaac Teslaa, Lions, Chimere Dike, Titans, Tyrone Tracy, Giants, and Jalen Coker, Panthers, to name a few.
Jon Gruden’s Team KAI defeated Jay’s Team AINA 38-21 in what was a very exciting, well-played, and coached All-Star game.
Here are my standouts from the week:
Offense
Quarterback
Derek Robertson
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 200
- School: Monmouth
Robertson was an All-American at Monmouth. Cerebral, smart, and able to run a pro-style offense. Good arm and is talented enough to play at the next level. He looked comfortable all week long. PFF grade of 92.1, and one scout at the event even compared him to Jared Goff.
Honorable Mention:
- Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech
- Althan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers
Running Back
Leshon Williams
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 215
- School: Kansas
The Iowa transfer was electric immediately on Day 1, showing a different level of play speed. Williams displayed patience waiting for blocks to develop and got separation in the pass game. He continuously made plays all week long.
Honorable Mention:
- Dean Conners, Houston
- Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
Wide Receiver
Camden Brown
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 200
- School: Georgia Southern
The Auburn transfer showed a willingness to go over the middle, while also adeptly working the sideline. Several of his catches were highlight-reel worthy. Having good size for the position, he posted 1,079 yards with 14 TDs, breaking out his Senior season at Georgia Southern. Brown put a bow on the week, hauling in a circus catch TD in the Hula Bowl game.
Honorable Mention:
- Hank Beatty, Illinois
- Chris Hilton, LSU
Tight End
Louis Hansen
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 240
- School: Connecticut
Hansen is most known for his blocking, but showed all week long that he is viable as a receiver. He had a strong week, definitely boosting his stock. The LA Chargers reportedly met with him.
Honorable Mention:
- Even Svoboda, Wyoming
Offense Line
Micah Pettus, Florida State
- Height: 6’6”
- Weight: 350
- School: Florida State
The best player on the football field all week long! Showed power, good footwork, including kickstep, and dominated nearly every rep.
Honorable Mention:
- Rasheed Miller, Louisville
- Sam Hagen, South Dakota State
- Shiyazh Pete, Kentucky
Defense
Defensive Line
Tommy Dunn
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 296
- School: Kansas
Dunn flew in a bit under the radar, but left as one of the week’s biggest risers. Sturdy at the point of attack not only stopping the run, but also showed the ability to rush the passer from the interior.
Michael Heldman
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 267
- School: Central Michigan
Every time you looked up, you saw the Chippewa helmet making or disrupting a play. Relentless motor off the edge recording 10.5 sacks this past season with a PFF grade of 92.8, I can clearly now see how and why.
Honorable Mention
- Mitchell Melton, Virginia
- Wesley Bailey, Louisville
Linebacker
Jackson Kuwatch
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 231
- School: Miami OH
Another small school player from the MAC, Kuwatch, showed he could hang with the big boys, showcasing his athleticism from sideline to sideline. He displayed his ability to cover backs and tight ends down the seams and had one of the best plays of the week, instinctively jumping a route and picking off a ball in the flat.
Honorable Mention
- Shad Banks Jr., UTSA
- Jordan Crook, Arizona State
Defensive Back
Devon Marshall
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 199
- School: North Carolina State
Marshall came in on paper as the best DB in Deland with 15 PBU’s and a PFF grade of 89.3, and he did not disappoint, far and away the best DB at the event. Competitive, tough, and sticky in coverage. There is also talk that his play has gotten him called up to participate in the Shrine Bowl in Dallas in two weeks.
Honorable Mention:
- DeCarlos Nicholson, USC
- Larry Worth, Arkansas
- Duce Chestnut, Syracuse
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