“Of the four returning college all-star games, the Medal of Honor Bowl was the only game to increase their number of NFL draft picks from 2014 to 2015,” said Austin Atkinson, Deputy Director of Player Personnel for the MOH Bowl Game. “Also, the fact that our attendance jumped from 5,135 in our first year to 12,578 in our second – an increase of nearly 145 percent – speaks volumes of the tremendous strides we’ve made, and the future for this bowl game is indeed bright.”

Led by Auburn’s defensive tackle Angelo Blackson, the 2015 Medal of Honor Bowl had 10 participants selected during the recent NFL Draft. The Bowl, in its inaugural year in 2014, had three players selected, thus increasing the number of draft picks more than three-fold in one season.

“This a significant number and a tremendous increase from last year,” added Atkinson. “This is a reflection not only to the increased status of our game but also the quality of talent that we have participating.”

In addition to Blackson who went to the Tennessee Titans as the first pick in the fourth round (100th overall), others that were selected were Auburn tight end C.J. Uzomah (Cincinnati Bengals), West Virginia defensive end Shaq Riddick (Arizona Cardinals), Alabama-Birmingham wide receiver J.J. Nelson (Arizona Cardinals), Rutgers fullback Michael Burton (Detroit Lions), Arkansas cornerback Tevin Mitchel (Washington Redskins), Boston College offensive lineman Ian Silberman (San Francisco 49ers), South Florida linebacker Reshard Cliett (Houston Texans), Buffalo defensive tackle Kristjan Sokoli (Seattle Seahawks) and San Jose State safety Akeem King (Atlanta Falcons).

Of the Medal of Honor Bowl’s 10 draft picks, only three – Blackson, Nelson and Burton – were invited to the National Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February, indicating that that the Medal of Honor Bowl discovered draftable talent that were omitted at Combine.

“We are extremely pleased with the work that our player personnel staff of Cal McCombs and Austin Atkinson performed,” said MOH Bowl Chairman Tom McQueeney. “They hit the ground running, and improved the quality of play significantly in their first year. They – and the Bowl Game – will only get better.”

2015 Medal of Honor Bowl Game Alumni

NFL Draft Picks and Undrafted Free Agents and Tryout Players

DRAFT PICKS

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS & TRYOUT PLAYERS

]]> http://www.mohbowl.com/82-alumni-from-2015-medal-of-honor-bowl-game-are-involved-in-nfl-camps/feed/ 0 http://www.mohbowl.com/six-medal-of-honor-bowl-players-are-among-the-2015-nfl-scouting-combine-participants/ http://www.mohbowl.com/six-medal-of-honor-bowl-players-are-among-the-2015-nfl-scouting-combine-participants/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2015 13:12:00 +0000 http://www.mohbowl.com/?p=2375 CHARLESTON, SC – Six players that participated in the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl that was held on January 10 are among the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine participants.

Approximately 300 of the very best college football players were invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine which is held in Indianapolis, Ind. from Feb. 17-23. Top team executives, coaching staffs, player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams are on hand to evaluate the nation’s top college players eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft. This intense, four-day job interview is an exciting time for the athletes and a vital step in achieving their dreams of playing in the NFL.

Among those involved include safety Jermaine Whitehead and defensive tackle Angelo Blackson of Auburn, fullback Mike Burton of Rutgers, wide receiver J.J. Nelson of Alabama-Birmingham,
wide receiver Cam Worthy of East Carolina and punter Kyle Christy of Florida.

“A goal for the 2015 game was to improve the quality of players that we invited, and these six invited players that are going to the Combine validate that we reached that goal,” said Bowl Chairman Tom McQueeney. “While six was a good number, we hope to improve it each year.”

In the 2105 Medal of Honor Bowl game, in which Coach Chan Gailey’s National Team topped Coach Willie Jeffries’ American Team, 26-14, Whitehead recorded six total tackles (four solo) and had a pair of passes broken up while Blackson noted an assist.

Burton ran the ball only one time and gained seven yards while Nelson caught three passes for 34 yards, including a long of 12 yards. Worthy was unable to play due to a fractured foot.

Christy punted seven times for a 42.3 yards average with a long of 52 yards.

Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler was still trending on Twitter on Monday, a day after his game-saving interception in the New England Patriots’ 28-24 win over Seattle on Sunday night.

Butler also was hard to miss a year ago at the inaugural Medal of Honor Bowl in Charleston, a game that played no small part in Butler’s amazing rise from a Popeyes chicken restaurant employee to NFL player and Super Bowl star.

“I remember seeing him every day at practice,” says Austin Atkinson, the deputy director of player personnel for the Medal of Honor Bowl. “Every time he made a play — and he made a lot of them — he’d pound on his chest and yell, ‘Mr. D2! Mr. D2!’

“He was so proud of being from a Division II school. He was one of only a few Division II players we had in the game, and he was making plays all week.”

Medal of Honor Bowl coach Chan Gailey — now the offensive coordinator of the New York Jets — was so impressed with Butler, a 5-11, 190-pound cornerback from West Alabama, that he recommended him to Patriots coach Bill Belichick for a tryout. The Patriots signed Butler last May; he received no signing bonus.

Butler, from Vicksburg, Miss., began his college career at nearby Hinds Community College. Five games into his freshman season, he was dismissed from the program and worked at a Popeyes before getting a second chance at West Alabama.

Butler was twice an all-Gulf South Conference pick at West Alabama, and he picked off a pass in the first Medal of Honor Bowl. With the Patriots this season, he played 52 snaps on special teams and 184 on defense during the season. He didn’t get into the Super Bowl until the Patriots’ 32nd snap on defense, when Butler subbed in for Kyle Arrington as the nickel cornerback.

Butler was the defensive back victimized by a miracle catch by Seahawks’ receiver Jermaine Kearse, putting Seattle on the 5-yard line with a chance to win the game. Two plays later, Butler knifed in front of Seattle receiver Ricardo Lockette to pick off a slant pass at the goal-line with 20 seconds to play.

On ESPN radio Monday morning, talking heads debated whether the Medal of Honor Bowl alumnus had made the greatest play in Super Bowl history.

“It was just amazing to see a kid like that come out of nowhere and make the most of his opportunity,” Atkinson said.

“Lieutenant General Mike Gould gives us another dimension of expertise, especially related to his leadership and football associations across the country,” stated Medal of Honor Bowl Chairman Tommy McQueeney. “The goal of being the best is quite enhanced by this high profile addition.”

He becomes the 11th member of the board that oversees activities surrounding the Medal of Honor Bowl, which recently held it second game on Jan. 10th before 12,578 fans.

He assumed command of the Air Force Academy on June 9, 2009, and retired from service in July 2013. Prior to assuming the position of superintendent, he was Director of Operations and Plans, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. General Gould is a command pilot with more than 3,250 hours in a variety of aircraft.

A native of Kent, Ohio, he graduated from the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School in 1972 and earned his commission from the Air Force Academy in 1976. Gould starred as a defensive back on the Falcons’ football team. He later served as an assistant coach and head coach of the Academy Prep School.

General Gould has commanded an operations group, an air refueling wing, an air mobility wing and the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center. He has also commanded the 3rd Air Force, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, and the 2nd Air Force, Keesler AFB, Miss. His operational and staff assignments include three tours at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, along with duty as an Air Force aide to the President and military assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force. He served as the Director of Mobility Forces for Operation Joint Endeavor and as U.S. European Command’s Air Expeditionary Task Force commander for the deployment of African Union troops into the Darfur region of Sudan.

From June 1990 to July 1992, Lt. Gen. Gould was the Air Force aide to President George Bush at the White House. In 1985 he was named as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of America.

A highly-decorated leader, Lt. Gen. Gould received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Athletically, Lt. Gen. Gould chaired the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors in 2010, and after retiring from the Air Force Academy, was selected to serve on the inaugural 13-member College Football Playoff Selection Committee in 2014-2016.
–Medal of Honor Bowl–

The Medal of Honor Bowl National Board of Directors
Fisher DeBerry
Lt. Gen. Mike Gould (USAF Ret.)
Maj. General James E. Livingston (USMC Ret.)
Nancy Mace
Tommy McQueeney
Ed Marinaro
General Ed Rice (USAF Ret.)
Lt. General John Sams (USAF Ret.)
Dr. Harvey Schiller
Mike Veeck
Sam Wyche

Williams earned National squad MVP honors after completing 7 of 15 passes for 115 yards and the team’s only offensive touchdown of the game. The hookup with Byrd gave the Nationals the lead for good at 16-14 with 5:02 remaining in the third quarter.

Will Conant (Air Force) kicked four field goals, and Brison Williams (South Carolina) capped the second-half National uprising with a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown with 8:35 left in the game.

Quinn Backus (Coastal Carolina) won American team MVP honors with six tackles and an 87-yard pick six that gave his squad a 14-6 lead in the opening minute of the second quarter. Synjyn Days (Georgia Tech) scored the other American touchdown on a five-yard run with 8:46 left in the first quarter.

The National team held a 382-211 advantage in total offense. In addition to Williams, Gary Nova (Rutgers) hit on 6 of 14 passes for 85 yards while Kevin Rodgers (Henderson State) completed 5 of 17 for 59 yards.

Jake Waters (Kansas State) completed 9 of 21 passes for 71 yards for the American team, with David Frazier (Miami, Ohio) grabbing a team-high four receptions for 42 yards.

Brandon Wegher (Morningside) was the game’s leading rusher with 90 yards on 14 carries, and Akeem Hunt (Purdue) ran for 30. NC State’s Tony Creecy paced the American ground game with 44 yards, followed by The Citadel’s Jake Stenson with 20.

Issac Blakeney (Duke) led all receivers with five catches for 103 yards. Conant booted field goals of 27, 21, 33 and 36 yards, the latter upping the National lead to 19-14 with 1:28 left in the third quarter.

Shaq Riddick (West Virginia) highlighted the National defense with four tackles including two sacks, one of which resulted in a strip and his own recovery. Tank Jakes (Memphis), Brock Hekking (Nevada) and Jordan Williams (Tennessee) also had sacks for the Nationals.

Will Brown (Missouri S&T) led all tacklers with nine for the American team, and Jermaine Whitehead (Auburn) had a team-high six stops for the Nationals. Cariel Brooks (Adams State) contributed an interception for the Nationals.

Monday morning during Medal of Honor Bowl week is when the assembled NFL hopefuls are paraded before scouts and personnel experts. The players are measured and weighed and otherwise inspected to make sure they stack up to the demanding physical standards of pro football.

There were more than a few raised eyebrows when Nate Boyer was called to the scales.

“Really?” said Boyer, recalling the reaction with a chuckle. “This guy is a long-snapper?”

Of the more than 100 NFL prospects who will take the field Saturday in the Medal of Honor Bowl at Johnson Hagood Stadium, Boyer is by far the most unlikely.

It’s not just that at 5-10 and 197 pounds, the University of Texas graduate is a few inches and about 40 pounds shy of even the modest standards of an average NFL long-snapper.

There’s also the fact that at 34, he’s about 12 years older than his Medal of Honor Bowl teammates.

And then there’s Boyer’s summer job – Green Beret with the Texas National Guard and the Army’s Special Forces.

Boyer was deployed to Afghanistan over the last two summers, returning to Austin each August in time for football season. After walking on as a safety, Boyer earned a scholarship and the job as the Longhorns’ starting long-snapper, where he never had a bad snap. He learned how to long-snap by watching videos on YouTube, and practiced while he was deployed by snapping a football into a net or at a piece of plywood.

Boyer also saw his share of action on the battlefield. Last July, he was involved in a firefight in Afghanistan as part of a patrol of about a dozen Americans and 100 Afghan soldiers they had trained. Boyer can recall a bullet whizzing by his head, he said in an article by Yahoo Sports.

Before joining the military, Boyer worked on a fishing boat, trained as a firefighter, tried acting and volunteered at a refugee camp in Sudan. That last experience sparked his interest in the military.

During his Army career, Boyer was deployed many times into war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. The native of Dublin, Calif., was awarded a Bronze Star and was the first recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award, an award also presented to Clemson receiver Daniel Rodriguez, another military veteran playing in the Medal of Honor Bowl.

“This is a great opportunity for me and all these guys,” Boyer said of the bowl. “This week has meant a lot to me because of my background. It brings together two things that I love, the military and football. I’m always amazed at how much college football embraces the military and veterans.

“I tell these (players) here, they don’t realize what a huge thing college football is to soldiers who are deployed. We watch all the games, even though they are on at five in the morning. We’ll stay up all night to watch college football, if we don’t have a mission. We’ll all huddle around whatever TV we can find and watch.”

Rodriguez’s story was well known to bowl officials Cal McCombs and Austin Atkinson, who put together the rosters for this year’s game. But McCombs was not aware of Boyer’s story until he called a coaching friend in Texas who said, “Do you need a long-snapper?”

Now, Boyer is hoping an NFL team has the same need.

“If I can get an opportunity I will make the most of it,” said Boyer, who already has a job lined up as an intern with a Hollywood production company. “That’s how I live my life, and that’s what I’m into. If someone takes a chance on me, I’ll do everything I can to not let them down.”

CHARLESTON, SC — The final day of practice for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl concluded Friday at Johnson Hagood Stadium with both teams doing a final walk-through before Saturday’s game that kicks off at 2:30 pm. The players were on the field in their Medal of Honor Bowl sweats, going through their responsibilities one last time.

Special teams appeared to be the focus of the American team’s practice Friday with coaches making sure each player knew their responsibilities, and if they went down who the backup was. Friday’s final tune-up had the American team coaches feeling good.

At the end of practice Hall of Fame Coach Willie Jeffries told his players, “You guys have worked hard at practice this week. I am confident you are ready for tomorrow.”

The National team, under former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey, took a different approach to their practice. While the National team was also in their sweats at the walk-through, they were working on refining their defensive and offensive plays. Coach Gailey wanted to make sure that his guys make the most of their opportunity.

“Tomorrow’s game film will be sent everywhere,” he said. “All NFL teams and the entire Canadian league. We will try to get everyone on the field, so when you are on the field, show who you are and what you can do.”

Both teams will definitely be ready for Saturday’s game, and everyone is focused on the goal of making the NFL. The question now is who will shine the most?

“We want to put on the best football game in America,” proclaimed moderator Warren Peper Thursday night as the Gridiron Greats Player Panel Discussion, part of the Medal of Honor Bowl week, began at Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant.

The panel included Chan Gailey, former NFL and college coach and coach of the National team in the Medal of Honor Bowl, and former NFL players Joe DeLamielleure, Joe Jacoby, Paul Krause and Charlie Brown.

The common theme from the panel seemed to be that football was fun and not work. Recalling a story about receiving a key to the Michigan State weight room, DeLamielleure relayed, “Coach (Lou) Saban said that I would overwork myself if I kept training the way I was. But I like to say that I played very hard, and not worked hard.”

“Football was a game that I played, not a job that I had to work,” added Krause, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

DeLamielleure, who blocked for the Buffalo Bills and O.J. Simpson, pointed to the United States military saying, “It’s not just about football; it’s about the guys who built our country so we could play football.”

Members of the panel also recalled memorable moments of their playing careers. Jacoby, another Hall of Famer, was a member of the famed “hogs” offensive line for the Washington Redskins. When Peper questioned Jacoby about being the first Redskins offensive lineman to score a touchdown, Jacoby replied, “I was in the right place at the right time. I tripped over the goal line and fell on the ball.”

This and other stories and quips all contributed to the fun, light-hearted nature of Thursday night’s panel discussion involving these NFL greats. Brown, a Lowcountry native and former Redskins receiver, was asked about his long arms and what he would do about fitting his suits, he replied, “Oh, I had no problem with that; I would get them tailor-made.”

Coach Gailey talked about his three G’s of retirement from football: gardening, golf and grandchildren. “I have gotten really good at retirement,” he admitted.

Overall, the panel discussion was a fun and insightful night, and emphasized life after the game. All of the attendees as well as the Medal of Honor Bowl Game participants got a great take on life during and after football.

Among NFL playoff quarterbacks this season are guys who played college football at Delaware, Eastern Illinois and Miami (Ohio). In other words, an NFL quarterback can come from almost anywhere.

And that’s one reason that 6-7 quarterback Chris Bonner, who played at Division II Colorado State-Pueblo, is considered one of the more intriguing prospects in Saturday’s Medal of Honor Bowl at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

Some pro scouts see Bonner, who weighs 225 pounds, as in the same mold as the Ravens’ Joe Flacco (6-6, 245) of Delaware and the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger (6-5, 241) of Miami (Ohio) – big, sturdy QBs who have thrived in the NFL despite playing at small schools.

“Bonner has got a fantastic arm and can throw the ball all over the field,” said Eric Galko of Optimum Scouting. “He was a little erratic this season, but has a lot of potential. I think he could be one of the top four or five quarterbacks in this class. It’s not a great class, and he’s one of the more talented guys out there.”

Bonner completed 56 percent of his throws for 3,291 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, with just eight interceptions.

Another big, strong-armed quarterback with a lot of upside (and a lot of question marks) is Ryan Williams of Miami. The 6-6, 222-pounder was named the Hurricanes’ starter for the 2014 season before suffering a knee injury in spring practice. He ended up playing in just one game.

“Guys like Chris Bonner and Ryan Williams, there are not many of them at that size out there,” Galko said. “If they can make the throws, you certainly like them better than a guy at 6-1.”

Here are some other players Galko considers intriguing prospects:

Linebacker Tank Jakes of Memphis. Undersized at 5-11 and 227 pounds, Jakes was very productive at Memphis with 119 tackles, including 17 for loss, in two seasons. “I think he’s done enough the last two years to show he’s a guy who can rush the passer and make plays,” Galko said.

Receivers Kenny Cook (6-4, 218) of Gardner-Webb and Cam Worthy (6-3, 200) of East Carolina, who on Thursday withdrew from the game after suffering a fractured foot. “Both are small-school guys who have the size to get vertical and make plays in the red zone,” Galko said. Receiver R.J. Harris of New Hampshire is “arguably this class’ best small-school receiver,” according to Galko.

Guard Torrian Wilson (6-3, 305) of Central Florida. “He has the potential to be the highest-drafted guy there (at the Medal of Honor Bowl), or at least the safest pick,” Galko said.

The offensive linemen are probably the strongest position group at the Medal of Honor Bowl. Among the guards, Shaq Mason of Georgia Tech, Matt Rotheram of Pitt and Junior Salt of Utah all ranked among the top 20 at their position by cbssports.com. Among tackles, Quinterrius Eatmon of South Florida, Brey Cook of Arkansas and Blaine Causell of Mississippi State are in the top 35. And among centers, Louisville’s Jake Smith is No. 6 and Marshall’s Chris Jaspere is No. 14.

Among all the Medal of Honor Bowl players, the top-ranked at his position is Florida punter Kyle Christy, ranked No. 3.

Galko said he wouldn’t be surprised to see 10 to 15 Medal of Honor Bowl players picked in this year’s NFL Draft. Last year, the game had three players drafted.

Note: Virginia running back Kevin Parks also withdrew from the game on Thursday after suffering a calf strain.

CHARLESTON SC—Cold weather was the overwhelming theme as the National team took the practice field Thursday at The Citadel.

The National team began practice indoors on Thursday under former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey as they walked through some plays and got stretched out. The National team then headed outside to Willson Field for their 36-play script.

Coach Gailey was very satisfied with Thursday’s practice, even though the outside portion was shortened due to cold weather.

“We got a lot done inside and outside,” he said. “I’m very satisfied with today’s practice result. We got 40 good minutes outside and got through all of our plays.”

Coach Gailey put some wrinkles in the offense, with many screens and reverses taking place. South Carolina wide receiver Damiere Byrd was the recipient of several of these plays as his speed and quickness make him a viable option.

Defense also made several impressive plays. On the first play of the outside portion, Ole Miss linebacker Serderius Bryant hauled in a one-handed interception that would have gone for a touchdown. The National team is loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball.

When asked about the game Saturday, Coach Gailey said, “I’m confident going into tomorrow’s practice, but there is still some thing’s to work out.”

On Friday, both teams will have their walk-throughs at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans, and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl