Sixty-eight athletes who took part in the 2014 College All Star Bowl at Furman University in February participated in NFL rookie camps recently as draftees, free agent signees and invitees.
Among the 68 players were three players selected in the 2014 NFL Draft: Marquis Flowers of Arizona (Cincinnati Bengals), Mitchell Van Dyke of Portland State (St. Louis Rams) and Will Smith of Texas Tech (Dallas Cowboys). In addition, College All Star Bowl alums went to camps with 28 NFL teams.
“Our No. 1 goal has been to create opportunities for college football players in the NFL and beyond ever since we launched The College All Star Bowl: NFL Showcase and Leadership Conference in Greenville,” said David Wyatt, the game’s director, in a news release. “In just our second year, we have surpassed all our projections solidifying our national reputation.”
The College All Star Bowl started as a business venture for Wyatt when he merged football and entertainment, much like the NFL Super Bowl, to create the new bowl. Based on his observations of the retro-themed entertainment at Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Wyatt brought a bowl to South Carolina, which was broadcasted nationally on the CBS Sports Network. Plans for the 2015 College All Star Bowl are currently underway.
