This Saturday, January 28th, is the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Players preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft are set to participate and get a chance for Scouts to see what they can do. The Collegiate Bowl has help prospects increase their draft stock. A notable player in the NFL today that participated is the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Marcus Valdes Scantling, who will be playing in the AFC Championship Game.
The 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will once again be played at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena California. Two players from the Penn State Nittany Lions will be participating in the upcoming game. The National Team, coached by Jeff Fisher, will feature these two offensive players. Here are the two Penn State players in the 2023 NFPLA Collegiate Bowl.
2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl: Sean Clifford, QB
Penn State quarterback, Sean Clifford will be playing in the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, wearing his number 14. Clifford is not one of the top NFL Draft prospects, and this bowl gives him a chance to show scouts why he deserves to be on a team.
Clifford played with the Nittany Lions from 2018 up until his final game in the 2023 Rose Bowl. Penn State beat Utah 35-21 in what may have been Clifford’s best game. Clifford completed 16 out of 21 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns against Utah, according to ESPN. Utah had a strong defense this season, and Penn State’s offense was not expected to do as well as they did, especially in the passing game.
After five years with the Nittany Lions, Clifford has played his final game. Based on how Clifford played in the Rose Bowl, his draft stock may have increased, but the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is his next chance. His age may hurt his stock, but his athleticism and commitment gives him a boost.
2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl: Mitchell Tinsley, WR
The 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will really help Penn State wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley improve his draft stock. Tinsley has only played at the collegiate level for three years. Only one of those years has been with the Nittany Lions. He played for Western Kentucky for two years before that. Tinsley did a great job for Penn State this season, but with only three years, compared to some other players he may fall in the draft a bit.
Playing in the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl with his Penn State quarterback will also be a boost. The two already have the chemistry that can help each other out. This season, Tinsley had a total of 51 receptions for 577 yards, according to ESPN. Although he always put his team in a position to score, he only had five touchdown receptions this season. One did come in the Rose Bowl, which helped his team get the win.
When it comes to Pro Football Focus’ top ten receivers in the 2023 draft, Penn State’s Parker Washington made it, but Tinsley was left out. The Collegiate Bowl is Tinsley’s chance to boost his draft stock and show NFL teams why he deserves to be picked. Clifford and Tinsley will also get one more chance to play together.
The 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will take place Saturday, January 28th at 6 pm Eastern. Be sure to watch for these Penn State players to show why they deserve to be taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.
For more NCAA Football Content:
Check out this news on who Penn State hired as their wide receivers coach for the 2023 season. Check out this article on the new Rutgers Wide Receivers Coach here. Here is an article on the press conference by the Rutgers Head Coach. Also, check out this article regarding the Penn State Nittany Lions. Check out this article on Penn State gaining wide receiver Malik McClain.
