22 from FCS set for NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

(STATS) - Many former FCS players with dreams of playing in the NFL are set to participate in the seventh annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 20 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

One of the headliners is Jacksonville State defensive end Darius Jackson, fresh off winning the 2017 STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the subdivision.

Recent FCS additions are offensive guards Ben Huss of Duquesne and Justin Lea of Jacksonville State. Sam Houston State defensive tackle P.J. Hall originally said he'd play in the Collegiate Bowl, but has switched to the East-West Shrine Game on the same day.

The NFLPA Bowl rosters were announced Wednesday, with 12 FCS players on the American Team, coached by Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Darrell Green, and 10 on the National Team, led by Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Martz.

The American team includes Lea, Tennessee Tech wide receiver Dontez Byrd, Grambling State running back Martez Carter, Eastern Washington punter Jordan Dascalo, Murray State wide receiver Jordon Gandy, Richmond tight end Garrett Hudson, Tennessee State defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko, San Diego defensive end/outside linebacker Jonathan Petersen, Villanova outside linebacker Ed Shockley, Southeastern Louisiana outside linebacker Sione Teuhema, Southern defensive end Aaron Tiller and Incarnate Word punter Joe Zema.

In addition to Jackson and Huss, the National team includes Bucknell defensive tackle Abdullah Anderson, Chattanooga inside linebacker Tae Davis, Maine offensive tackle Jamil Demby, South Carolina State offensive guard Justin Evans, Stephen F. Austin defensive end John Franklin-Myers, Western Carolina running back Detrez Newsome, Howard running back Anthony Philyaw and Holy Cross quarterback Peter Pujals.

Nearly 200 scouts, player personnel staff, general managers and head coaches from all 32 NFL teams are expected be in attendance throughout the NFLPA Bowl week.