While the Senior Bowl will certainly be getting the most attention of all the college All-Star games this month, NFL scouts will be turning their attention to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl tomorrow at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
For those unaware of the All-Star game, it is one that is put on by the NFL Players Association and helps connect draft-eligible prospects to NFL scouts and former NFL coaches and players. This year's game will be the third annual game; the two teams participating, the "National" team coached by former Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil, and the "American" team coached by former Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green (Yes, that Dennis Green). Alex Neutz will be playing on the American team, where he will also be coached by former Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Andre Reed.
According to the official website of the game, over 80 NFL scouts from all 32 teams will be in attendance. Another notable name in attendance will be ESPN Draft Analyst and College Scout Todd McShay.
This will be a perfect opprotunity for Neutz to showcase his skill set to NFL scouts, and to the likes of McShay.
Neutz will be catching passes from:
- Kenny Guiton, Ohio State
- Sean Schroeder, Hawaii
- Caleb Herring, UNLV
- James Frankllin, Missouri
While the quarterbacks aren't top tier NFL talent, they should be suitable enough to get Neutz the ball consistently throughout the game.
Neutz' likely matchup will be against
Kenneth Acker of SMU. Acker recorded 46 tackles for the Mustangs, to go along with a team high 3 interceptions. Other notable defensive backs on the National roster are AJ Highsmith of Miami (Fl.),
Jimmy Legree of South Carolina, and
Lonnie Ballentine of Memphis.
The group of defensive backs on the National team are average at best, and most of the prospects are late-round to free agent type players.
From a draft perspective this game will be very important for Neutz, especially if he wants to get drafted. Scouts from all 32 teams will be watching and if he dominates in the game, and then tests well at the
NFL Combine (pending an invitation) and at the UB pro day, which many scouts will be at to see a certain linebacker, Neutz can elevate himself from a likely 7th round to undrafted type prospect to as high as a 5th round pick.
It will be very interesting to see if Neutz catches the eye of Todd McShay, because if he does then he may start receiving more media attention leading up to the draft as a "sleeper" or a "late round gem". This often happens to prospects who come from lesser known schools and their stock is elevated just by someone like McShay or his colleague Mel Kiper, Jr., talking about the prospect.
For complete roster information for both teams playing in the bowl click
HERE
The game is scheduled for kickoff at 6 PM EST, and will be aired on ESPN.
Finally, here is a video of practice highlights leading up to the game tomorrow. And Good Luck Alex!
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