Your Local Guide to the Bowl Season-From the Orange Bowl to the Rose Bowl
Here is your local player guide to the final 13 bowl games. After these games, there is only the national championship game. Powerful teams with powerful players. See which ones are from our backyard.
If you missed the first two parts of the Local Guide to the Bowl Season, you can get Part 1 here and Part 2 here. The NCAA provides a great list of the bowls. You can see it here.
The top rated teams are in this group. Somewhere in there is this year’s national champion. One hundred two players from Missouri and Kansas will be in these bowls. Some will make a big impact.
Who all is in this group of home grown talent? The leading receiver for Michigan is here. So is the leading scorer for Notre Dame. Oh, and two All-Americans, too.
I would say to sit back and relax, but who can do that when you are watching football? Get your tailgate started and enjoy the last of this football season.
Friday, December 30 - The Orange Bowl - Tennessee vs Clemson
The Tennessee Volunteers has 1 local player:
No. 53 Jeremiah Crawford - Senior - Offensive Lineman - Goddard
Jeremiah played in 9 games this season. He transferred to Tennessee after two
years at a community college. He moved into the starting spot halfway through
this season. He will have one more year of eligibility after this season.
The Clemson Tigers have 2 local players:
No. 52 Joey Eddis - Sophomore - Linebacker - Free State
Joey has not played in a game this season.
No. 32 Reuben Etinosa - Junior - Defensive Tackle - Park Hill South
Reuben has not played in a game this season.
Friday, December 30 - The Duke’s Mayo Bowl - North Carolina State vs Maryland
There are no local players on the North Carolina State roster.
The Maryland Terrapins have 2 local players:
No. 76 Kyle Long - Freshman RS - Offensive Lineman - Hazelwood Central
No. 77 Maximus McCree - Sophomore - Offensive Lineman - Grandview
Friday, December 30 - The Sun Bowl - UCLA vs Pittsburgh
The UCLA Bruins have one local player:
No. 99 Jacob Sykes - Senior RS - Defensive Lineman - Rockhurst
Jacob played in all 12 games this season. He has 26 tackles, of which 13 are solos. He also has 3 quarterback hurries.
There are no local players on the Pittsburgh roster.
Friday, December 30 - The Gator Bowl - South Carolina vs Notre Dame
There are no local players on the South Caroline roster.
The Notre Dame Fighing Irish have 3 local players:
No. 98 Tyson Ford - Freshman - Defensive Lineman - John Burroughs
Tyson has not played in a game this season.
No. 97 Gabriel Rubio - Sophomore - Defensive Lineman - Lutheran-St. Charles
Gabriel has played in 11 games this season. He has 15 tackles of which 5 are
solos. Gabriel has 3 tackles for losses for 3 yards in losses. He also has 2
quarterback hurries.
No. 99 Blake Grupe - Graduate Student - Kicker - Smith-Cotton
Blake has played in all 12 games this season. He was good on 13 of 18 field goal
attempts and was a perfect 43 for 43 on PAT’s. His 82 points lead the team in
scoring. Blake transferred to Notre Dame prior to this season from Arkansas
State.
Friday, December 30 - The Arizona Bowl - Ohio vs Wyoming
The Ohio Bobcats have 4 local players:
No. 4 Tyler Walton - Senior RS - Wide Receiver - Christian Brothers
Tyler played in 4 games this season. He has caught 10 passes for 108 yards.
No. 19 Zach Sanders - Graduate Student - Cornerback - Free State
Zach has played in 11 games this season. He has 61 tackles, which is the fourth
highest on the team. Forty-one of those tackles were solos. He as recorded 3
interceptions, 1 quarterback hurry, and has broken up 5 passes. Zach transferred
to Ohio from Missouri State prior to this season.
No. 23 Julian Ross - Fifth Year RS - Running Back - Staley
Julian has played in 5 games. He has 11 rushes for 67 yards.
No. 87 Will Kacmarek - Freshman RS - Tight End - MICDS
Will has played in all 13 games this season. He has 19 receptions for 259 yards.
The Wyoming Cowboys have 2 local players:
No. 23 Caleb Merritt - Freshman - Wide Receiver - John Burroughs
Caleb has not played in a game this season.
No. 84 John Michael Gyllenborg - Freshman RS - Tight End - Rockhurst
John has played in 11 games this season. He has 3 receptions for 21 yards.
Saturday, December 31 - The Fiesta Bowl - Michigan vs TCU
The Michigan Wolverines have 3 local players:
No. 8 Ronnie Bell - Graduate Student - Wide Receiver - Park Hill
Ronnie is the leading receiver for the Wolverines with 56 receptions for 754
yards and 3 TD’s. He also rushed the ball 3 times for 23 yards and 1 TD.
No. 20 Andy Maddox - Senior - Quarterback - Shawnee Mission East
Andy played in one game this season. He attempted 1 pass which he completed
for 4 yards against U-Conn. Andy is an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
No. 89 Carter Selzer - Graduate Student - Tight End - Rockhurst
Carter played in all 13 games this season. He is a 4 time Academic All-Big Ten
honoree.
The TCU Horned Frogs have 3 local players:
No. 32 Kevin Ward - Freshman RS - Defensive Back - Kickapoo
Kevin has played in 1 game this season.
No. 66 Noah Bolticoff - Freshman RS - Offensive Lineman - Rose Hill
Noah has played in 1 game this season.
No. 81 Chase Curtis - Junior - Wide Receiver - Pittsburg
Chase has played in 13 games this season. He has 1 reception for 37 yards. He
traneosferred to TCU after his freshman year from Neosho Community College.
Saturday, December 31 - The Peach Bowl - Georgia vs Ohio State
There are no local players on the Georgia roster.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have 4 local players:
No. 0 Kamryn Babb - Graduate Student - Wide Receiver - Christian Brothers
Kamryn has played in 1 game this season. He has 1 reception for 8 yards.
No. 4 JK Johnson - Sophomore - Cornerback - De Smet
JK has played in all 12 games and has started 5. He as 20 tackles, 16 of which are
solos.
No. 26 Cameron Brown - Graduate Student - Cornerback - Christian Brothers
Cameron has played in 7 games this season, starting all 7. He has 11 tackles, of
which 9 are solos. He shared a tackle for loss for a 1 yard loss. He has broken up
4 passes.
No. 57 Jalen Pace - Sophomore - Linebacker - MICDS
Jalen has not played in a game this season.
Saturday, December 31 - The Music City Bowl - Iowa vs Kentucky
The Iowa Hawkeyes have 6 local players:
No. 15 Dallas Craddieth - Senior - Defensive Back -Hazelwood Central
Dallas played in 2 games this season. He has 1 solo tackle.
No. 70 Beau Stephens - Freshman RS - Offensive Lineman - Blue Springs
Beau played in 11 games this season after being redshirted last year.
No. 78 Mason Richman - Sophomore - Offensive Lineman - Blue Valley
Mason played in all 12 games this season. He is a returning All-Big 10
honorable mention honoree as well as an Academic All-Big 10 honoree.
No. 82 Johnny Pascuzzi - Freshman RS - Tight End - Rockhurst
Johnny has played in 1 game this season. Originally, Johnny was a walk-on.
No. 83 Jameson Witte - Sophomore - Defensive Lineman - St. Dominic
Jameson has not played in a game this season.
No. 97 Caden Crawford - Freshman - Defensive Lineman - Lansing
Caden has not played in a game this season.
There are no local players on the Kentucky roster.
Saturday, December 31 - The Sugar Bowl - Alabama vs Kansas State
The Alabama Crimson Tide has 1 local player:
No. 88 Miles Kitselman - Sophomore - Tight End - Lyndon
Miles played in 5 games this season. He has 2 pass receptions for 18 yards. He
transferred from Hutchinson Community College following his freshman year.
The Kansas State Wildcats have 60 local players:
No. 1 Keenan Garber - Junior - Wide Receiver - Free State
Keenan has played in all 13 games this season. He has 1 solo tackle which was in
the Big 12 Championship game.
No. 3 Darell Jones - Freshman RS - Defensive Back - Field Kindley
Darell has not played in a game this season.
No. 5 Jaren Lewis - Junior - Quarterback - Battle
Jaren has not played in a game this season. Jaren has entered the transfer portal.
No. 6 Sterling Lockett - Freshman - Wide Receiver - Blue Valley
Sterling has not played in a game this season.
No. 8 Phillip Brooks - Senior - Wide Receiver - Lee’s Summit West
Phillip has played in all 13 games this season. He is the second leading receiver
with 41 receptions for 543 yards and 4 TD’s. He rushed the ball 4 times for 29
yards. Phillip has returned 13 punts, averaging 12.85 yards per return, while
taking one 76 yards for a TD. He averaged 22 yards with his 6 kick-off returns.
No. 8 Ty Zentner - Senior - Punter/Kicker - Shawnee Heights
Ty played in all 13 games this season as the Wildcat’s punter and kicker. He
averaged 44.72 yards while punting 54 times. Nineteen of those were for over
50 yards and 26 were inside the 20 yard line. Ty was 29 for 29 with PAT’s and 9
for 9 with field goals with a long of 53 yards. His 82 kickoffs resulted in 49
touchbacks. Ty transferred to Kansas State after playing 2 seasons at Butler
Community College. He is on the Ray Guy watch list which is given to the
nation’s best kicker.
No. 10 Jacob Parrish - Freshman - Defensive Back - Olathe North
Jacob played in all 13 games this season. He recorded 14 tackles, of which 11
were solos. Jacob broke up 3 passes, has 1 quarterback hurry, and has rcovered
a fumble.
No. 12 Parker Kavanaugh - Freshman - Quarterback - Salina Central
Parker has not played in a game this season.
No. 13 Joe Hall III - Freshman - Defensive Back - Manhattan
Joe has not played in a game this season
No. 13 Xavier Lloyd - Freshman RS - Wide Receiver - Blue Springs
Xavier has played in 2 games this season.
No. 14 Jet Dineen - Freshman - Safety - Lawrence
Jet has not played in a game this season.
No. 14 Tyson Struber - Freshman - Wide Receiver - Canton-Galva
Tyson has not played in a game this season
No. 16 Will Honas - Senior - Linebacker - Bishop Carroll
Will has not played in a game this season. He transferred to Kansas State
prior to this season from Nebraska where he was a All-Big Ten Honorable
Mention honoree.
No. 17 Chris Tennant - Sophomore - Kicker - Mill Valley
Chris has played in 7 games this season. He was 9 for 14 with field goals with a
long of 37 yards. Chris was 23 for 25 with PAT’s.
No. 18 Thomas Helton - Senior - Linebacker - Bishop Carroll
Thomas has played in all 13 games this season. He has recorded 1 solo tackle.
No. 19 Sammy Wheeler - Senior - Tight End - St. James Academy
Sammy has played in all 13 games this season. He has 8 catches for 125 yards
and 2 TD’s. Sammy is a 2 time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
No. 24 Trey Krause - Freshman RS - SB - Olathe West
Trey has played in 1 game this season.
No. 25 Ekow Boye-Doe - Senior - Cornerback - Lawrence
Ekow has played in all 13 games this season. He has 26 tackles of which 22 are
solos. He has broken up 4 passes, forced 1 fumble, and has recovered 1 fumble.
No. Gabe Hoover - Junior - Wide Receiver - McPherson
Gabe has not played in a game this season.
No. 26 Luke Hirsh - Freshman - SB - Newton
Luke has not played in a game this season.
No. 29 Jax Dineen - Senior - Fullback - Lawrence
Jax played in 4 games this season. He has 1 carry for 2 yards. He was voted to the
All-Big 12 Second Team his junior year.
No. 30 Grant Snowden - Freshman - Kicker - Manhattan
Grant has not played in a game this season.
No. 31 DJ Giddens - Freshman RS - Running Back - Junction City
DJ has played in all 13 games this season. He has carried the ball 80 times for
451 yards and 6 TD’s. DJ also caught 5 passes for 50 yards.
No. 32 Desmond Purnell - Freshman RS - Linebacker - Hayden
Desmond played in all 13 games this season. He has 18 tackles of which 7 are
solos. Desmond has 2 quarterback hurries and has broken up 2 passes.
No. 33 Nikendre Stiger - Junior - Defensive Back - Wichita East
Nikendre has played in 3 games this season. He has 3 tackles including 1
solo. This is his first season at Kansas State after two at Butler Community
College
No. 34 Trevor Erickson - Freshman - Defensive Back - Chapman
Trevor has not played in a game this season.
No. 37 Andrew Sonner - Freshman RS - Tight End - Olathe East
Andrew has not played in a game this season.
No. 39 Jordan Schippers - Junior - Running Back - Colby
Jordan has played in all 13 games.
No. 40 Gavin Meyers - Freshman - Linebacker - Hays
Gavin has not played in a game this season.
No. 41 Austin Moore - Junior - Linebacker - Louisburg
Austin has played in all 13 games this season. Austin is leading Kansas
State with 85 tackles, of which 56 are solos. He has 3 quarterback hurries, 2
forced fumbles, has recovered 1 fumble, and has broken up 4 passes. Austin
a 2 time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
No. 42 Randen Plattner - Senior - Long Snapper - Park Hill
Randen has played in all 13 games this season. He has started as the long snapper
all four years. He has been true on every snap. Randen is a 3 time Academic
All-Big 12 First Team Honoree.
No. 43 Jack Blumer - Senior - Punter - Marysville
Jack has played in all 13 games this season as the team’s primary holder.
No. 44 Tobi Osunsanmi - Freshman - Linebacker - Wichita East
Tobi has played in 4 games this season. He has recorded 1 solo tackle.
No. 46 Jace Friesen - Junior - Defensive End - Basehor-Linwood
Jace has played in 12 games this season mostly on the field goal and extra
point units. Jace is an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
No. 47 Cody Stufflebean - Sophomore - Defensive End - McPherson
Cody has played in all 13 games this season. He has 4 tackles of which 2 are
solos. Cody has on quarterback hurry.
No. 47 La’James White - Freshman - Running Back - St. James Academy
La’James has not played in a game this season.
No. 48 Zach Wittenberg - Sophomore - Linebacker - El Dorado
Zach has not played in a game this season.
No. 49 Andrew Schmelzle - Freshman RS - Defensive End - Sabetha
Andrew has not played in a game this season.
No. 50 Cooper Beebe - Junior - Offensive Lineman - Piper
Cooper has played in all 13 games this season. He was Honorable Mention
Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year as a Sophomore along with being a
All-Big 12 First Team honoree. This season he was voted both a pre-season and
post season All-American. Cooper is on the Outland Trophy Watch List for the
nation’s best offensive lineman. He is a two time Academic All-Big 12 First Team
honoree.
No. 51 Shadryon Blanka - Freshman - Linebacker - St. Francis Community
Shadryon has not played in a game this season.
No. 52 Nick Allen - Senior - Linebacker - Blue Valley Southwest
Nick has played in all 13 games this season. He has 33 tackles, of which 19
are solos. Nick has two quarterback hurries and 1 interception. He is a 3 time
Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
No. 54 Hadley Panzer - Sophomore - Offensive Lineman - Lakin
Hadley has played in all 13 games this season.
No. 56 Damian Ilalio - Freshman RS - Defensive Lineman - Manhattan
Damian has played in 3 games this season. He has recorded 2 solo tackles.
No. 57 Beau Palmer - Sophomore - Linebacker - Blue Valley
Beau has played in 5 games this season. He has 4 solo tackles.
No. 58 Cartez Crook-Jones - Senior - Defensive End - Grandview
Cartez has played in 1 game this season. He has 1 solo tackle.
No. 62 Dawson Delforge - Senior - Offensive Lineman - Wamego
Dawson has played in all 13 games this season.
No. 63 Michael Capria - Freshman - Offensive Lineman - Liberty
Michael has not played in a game this season.
No. 66 Sam Shields - Sophomore - Offensive Lineman - Manhattan
Sam has played in 2 games this season.
No. 69 Taylor Poitier - Junior - Offensive Lineman - Bishop Miege
Taylor has played in 1 game this season.
No. 74 Alex Key - Freshman - Offensive Lineman - Derby
Alex has not played in a game this season.
No. 75 Sam Hecht - Freshman RS - Offensive Lineman - Mill Valley
Sam has played in 4 games this season.
No. 80 Ty Bowman - Sophomore - Wide Receiver - Chanute
Ty has played in 10 games this season.
No. 84 Isaac Koch - Freshman - Wide Receiver - Rockhurst
Isaac has not played in a game this season.
No. 88 Erwin Nash - Freshman - Wide Receiver - Olathe South
Erwin has not played in a game this season.
No. 91 Felix Anudike-Uzomah - Junior - Defensive End - Lee’s Summit
Felix has played in all 13 games this season. He has 44 tackles, of which 30
are solos. Eleven of his tackles are for a total of 59 yards of losses. He has
4 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles, and has broken up 1 pass. Last year
Felix was Honorable Mention Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Big 12
co-Defensive Lineman of the Year, and Third Team All-American. This year he is
both a pre-seasosn and post-season All-American. Felix is on the Bronko
Nagurski Trophy watch list given to the nation’s best defensive player.
No. 93 Jaylen Pickle - Senior - Defensive End - Cimarron
Jaylen has played in all 13 games this season. He has 15 tackles, of which 10 are
solos. Jaylen has two quarterback hurries and has broken up 1 pass. Last year he
was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
No. 94 Titus Tuiasosopo - Freshman RS - Defensive Lineman - Wamego
Titus has not played in a game this season.
No. 97 Nate Matlack - Sophomore - Defensive End - Olathe East
Nate has played in all 13 games this season. He has 6 tackles, of which 5 are solo.
Nate has 1 quarterback hurry, 1 fumble recovery, and has broken up 1 pass. As a
freshman Nate was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and was
Honorable Mention Big 12 Defensive freshman of the Year.
Monday, January 2 - The Reliaquest Bowl - Mississippi State vs Illinois
There are no local players on the Mississippi State roster.
The Illinois Illini have 3 local players.
No. 1 Isaiah Williams - Sophomore - Wide Receiver - Trinity Catholic
Isaiah has played in all 13 games this season. He is Illinois’ leading receiver
72 catches fo 595 yards and 5 TD’s. He has rushed the ball 7 times for 5 yards.
Isaiah has averaged 7.47 yards for his 15 punt returns. He is an All-Big Ten
honorable mention honoree.
No. 23 Reggie Love - Sophomore Running Back - Trinity Catholic
Reggie rushed the ball 59 times for 276 yards and 2 TD’s. He also caught 3 passes
9 yards. Last year he was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
No. 40 Shammond Cooper - Sophomore - Linebacker - Trinity Catholic
Shammond has played in 8 games this season. He has 1 solo tackle
Monday, January 2 - The Citrus Bowl - LSU vs Purdue
The LSU Tigers have 1 local player:
No. 51 Seth Marcione - Freshman - Linebacker - De Smet
Seth has not played in a game this season.
The Purdue Boilermakers have 1 local player:
No. 35 Hayden Parise - Sophomore RS - Wide Receiver - Rockhurst
Hayden has played in 1 game this season.
Monday, January 2 - The Cotton Bowl - USC vs Tulane
The USC Trojans have 1 local player:
No. 71 Cooper Lovelace - Junior RS - Offensive Lineman - Shawnee Mission East
Cooper has played in 3 games this season. Cooper transferred to USC prior to
this season from Butler County Community College
The Tulane Green Wave has 3 local players:
No. 43 Rishi Rattan - Sophomore - Defensive Back - Bishop Miege
Rishi has played in 9 games this season. He has one solo tackle
No. 61 Hutson Lillibridge - Freshman RS - Offensive Lineman - De Smet
Hutson has played in 9 games this season.
No. 77 Keanon McNally - Freshman - Offensive Linman - Kearney
Keanon has not played in a game this season.
Monday, January 2 - The Rose Bowl - Utah vs Penn State
There are no local players on the Utah roster.
The Penn State Nittany Lions have 1 local player:
No. 5 Mitchell Tinsley - Super Senior - Wide Receiver - Lee’s Summit
Mitchell has played in 12 games this season. He has 45 receptions for 528 yards
and 4 TD’s. He also has 2 punt returns for 0 yards.