Three seniors on Chadron State College football’s offense, two on defense, and one special teams player have accepted invitations to various postseason bowl games in December and January.
Wide receiver Marcus Brown and Joey Hopkins – a former wideout turned defensive back – will attend the National Bowl on December 4, at 9:30 a.m. ET in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The National Bowl will focus on FCS, Division II, and Division III players who will be seen by NFL and CFL scouts and instructed by professional coaches.
Brown has had it in mind to keep in shape by working out, with the hope of continuing in football, but the invitation to a national all-star bowl was unexpected.
“I was actually surprised,” said Brown. “I didn’t think I would get an opportunity to go to something like this. I sent in my film, and then about an hour later, I got the invitation. It was exciting.”
For Hopkins, who just got his first career start for the Eagles last month, the opportunity came about in a flash.
“It wasn’t even a thought on my mind at the beginning of the season,” said Hopkins, “but as things progressed, and people started getting invitations, I thought it’d be great to play in one of these games.”
National Bowl alumni have gone on to receive tryouts and contracts with NFL teams as well as Canadian and indoor clubs.
Three players – defensive back Devante Thomas and offensive linemen Darrien Oliver and Palmer White – will be participating in the Dream Bowl, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend January 12-16, 2017, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Several Division II players from the most recent Dream Bowl were later invited to compete for NFL roster spots.
Thomas, who transferred to Chadron State from Division I FBS Western Kentucky, has had his eye on a professional opportunity for a while, but wasn’t 100 percent sure his dream would materialize.
“Its a blessing,” said Thomas, “after all the injuries and setbacks I’ve been through, to be able to have another chance to showcase my talents.”
Thomas will spend the holiday break in Atlanta working with a personal trainer to prepare.
White is looking forward to going with his offensive line compadre Oliver. He said the two may try to coordinate travel and take in the full experience of the trip together.
“Ever since my sophomore year at Chadron State, said Oliver, “the thought of playing professionally crossed my mind from time to time, but I knew if I didn’t play to my ability it wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t play up my own expectations this season so when this opportunity came along, I was like ‘Wow, of course I’m going to take it.'”
The Dream Bowl weekend begins with an official Canadian Football League Combine, run and organized by the CFL and NFL scouts. The game later in the weekend is game-planned by college coaches.
Punter Zach Smith‘s bowl game will be the D2 Versus NAIA Challenge, taking place in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on December 17 at 4 p.m. He plans to savor the experience to the maximum.
“I’ve never been to South Carolina so my family is going to go and enjoy it together. For me it’s one last ‘hoo-rah’. It could be the last time I play football, unless something happens from there and I get the chance to play at the next level.”
Former New Mexico Highlands standout Jordan Campbell, who was primarily a linebacker but who also punted, attended this game and afterwards saw time on three different NFL rosters.