Your Local Guide to the Bowl Season-From the Gasparilla to the Alamo.
There are 42 bowls with 236 local players on the roster. This is the second edition and covers bowls 15 through 29. Coverage for the rest of the bowls is forthcoming. Stay tuned!
If you missed the Local Guide to the Bowl Season-Part 1, you can get it here. The NCAA provides a great list of the bowls. You can see it here. Both Missouri and Kansas are in this group of bowls, therefore there are a lot of local athletes listed. Many are making a big impact on their teams. Brady Cook (Chaminade/Missouri) leads the Tigers in passing and Devin Neal (Lawrence/Kansas) leads the Jayhawks in rushing. Daniel Jackson (Bishop Miege/Minnesota) leads the Gophers in receiving yards. And Krishon Merriweather (Hazelwood West/Texas Tech) leads the Red Raiders in tackles.
It has gotten increasingly hard to know where the local guys are playing now that the transfer portal is a fixture in college football. There are those who move from an instate school to a Power 5 school a half continent away like when Brison Cobbins (Bishop Miege/Oregon) left Missouri Western and Jake Van Dyne (Liberty North/Oregon) left Missouri State to become Ducks. There are also transfers from the coast back home like when Nathaniel Peat (Rock Bridge/Missouri) transfered from Stanford to become a Tiger in his home town. And sometimes there are degrees of transfers. As in academic degrees. Jack Burns (Bishop Miege/Duke) is a Blue Devil after four seasons and a degree at Cornell.
And speaking of academics. It doesn’t matter where our athletes go, they know where the library is on campus. Postseason academic honors have been awarded to Mitchell Gildehaus (St. Francis Borgia/Memphis) in the ACC, Joe Michalski (St. Thomas Aquinas/Oklahoma State) in the Big 12, Aireontae Ersery (Ruskin/Minnesota) in the Big Ten, and Sam Burt (Abilene/Kansas) in the Big 12. This year, Sam was also an Academic All-American honoree.
So, get the popcorn ready as we continue through Bowl Season. Here is the local talent populating the next 15 bowls. And remember to look for Part 3 of 3.
Friday, December 23 - The Gasparilla Bowl - Wake Forest vs Missouri
There are no local players on the Wake Forest Roster.
The Missouri Tigers have 42 local players:
No. 93 Luke Bauer – Sophomore – Kicker – De Smet
Luke has not played in a game this season.
No. 60 D.J. Bullard – Junior – Offensive Lineman – Rockwood Summit
D.J. has not played in a game. He was named to the 2020 SEC Academic Honor Roll
No. 17 Taj Butts – Freshman RS – Running Back – De Smet
Taj has played in 7 games and has 1 reception for 10 yards.
No. 12 Brady Cook – Sophomore – Quarterback – Chaminade
Brady started all 12 games, completing 218 of 314 passes for 2,509 yards and 13 TD’s. He also is the team’s second leading rusher with 547 yards on 125 attempts. He has rushed for 6 TD’s. Brady was named to the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
No. 5 Mookie Cooper – Sophomore – Wide Receiver – Trinity Catholic
Mookie saw action in all 12 games catching 19 passes for 226 yards.
No. 94 Marquis Gracial – Freshman – Defensive Lineman – St. Charles
Marquis has participated in 1 game, recording an assisted talk against New Mexico State.
No. 41 Zach Hahn – Freshman Redshirt – Wide Receiver – Christian Brothers
Zach has not played in a game this season.
No. 69 Drake Heismeyer – Sophomore – Offensive Lineman – Francis Howell
Drake has played in 12 games as a member of the special teams. He was named to the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
No. 81 Shawn Hendershot – Sophomore – Tight End – Blue Valley North
Shawn has participated in 2 games this season. He was named to the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
No. 17 Tyler Hibbler – Freshman RS – Defensive  Back – Trinity Catholic
Tyler has played in 11 games, recording 1 tackle which was a solo.
No. 84 Ryan Hoerstkamp – Freshman RS – Tight End – Washington
Ryan has played in 8 games this season, catching 2 passes for 32 yards and a TD.
No. 49 Jake Hoffman – Senior – Long Snapper – Kearney
Jake was the Tiger long snapper in all 12 games. He is a time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
No. 33 Bryce Jackson – Freshman RS – Running Back – Rock Bridge
Bryce has not played in a game this season.
No. 40 Damon Johanns – Freshman RS – Tight End – Helias
Damon has not played in a game this season.
No. 90 Sean Koetting – Graduate Student – Kicker – Rock Bridge
Sean played in all 12 games this season. He kicked off 65 times with 52 touch backs. He also punted 13 times averaging 40 yards per punt with 4 falling inside the 20.
No. 38 Christopher Kreh – Freshman RS - Running Back – Marquette
Christopher played in all 12 games this season, registering 1 solo tackle.
No. 64 Bobby Lawrence – Senior – Offensive Lineman – Central-St. Joseph
Bobby saw action in all 12 games this season. He is a three time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
No. 15 Tommy Lock – Freshman RS – Quarterback – Lee’s Summit
Tommy has not played in a game this season.
No. 59 Nathan Lund – Freshman – Offensive Lineman – Fort Zumwalt North
Nathan has not played in a game this season.
No. 67 Xavier Machado – Freshman – Offensive Lineman – Francis Howell
Xavier has not played in a game this season.
No. 89 Micah Manning - Sophomore RS - Wide Receiver - Lee’s Summit
Micah has played in 2 games this season.
No. 3 Martez Manual – Senior – Defensive  Back – Rock Bridge
Martez has played in all 12 games this season. He has recorded 48 tackles with 35 solos. Ten of his tackles were behind the scrimmage line for losses of which 4 were sacks. He has 3 quarterback hurries, 1 forced fumble, and has broken up 1 pass.
No. 95 Jalen Marshall – Freshman – Defensive Lineman – St. Thomas Aquinas
Jalen played in 1 game this season, recording an assisted tackle.
No. 79 Amand Membou – Freshman – Offensive Lineman – Lee’s Summit North
Amand has played in 10 games this season.
No. 81 Jack Meyer – Freshman RS – Defensive Lineman – Francis Howell
Jack has not played in a game this year.
No. 10 Mekhi Miller – Freshman – Wide Receiver – Blue Valley North
Mekhi played in 6 games this season, catching 6 balls for 108 yards.
Tucker Miller - Freshman – Tight End – Raymore-Peculiar
Tucker has not played in a game this season.
No. 82 Logan Muckey – Freshman RS – Wide Receiver – Lee’s Summit North
Logan has played in all 12 games this season.
No. 22 Will Norris – Sophomore – Linebacker – Rock Bridge
Will has played on all 12 games this season, recording 2 assisted tackles. Will is a 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
No. 56 Nate Norris – Freshman – Linebacker – Rock Bridge
Nate did not play in a game this season.
No. 8 Nathaniel Peat – Senior – Running Back – Rock Bridge
Nathaniel transferred to Missouri from Stanford after last season. Nathaniel played in 11 games this season, carrying the ball 95 times for 400 yards and 2 TD’s. He also caught 10 passes for 66 yards and a TD. Additionally, he returned 4 kick offs.
No. 96 Nick Quadrini – Freshman – Kicker – Kickapoo
Nick did not play in a game this season.
No. 20 Cody Schrader – Senior – Running Back – Lutheran South
Cody played in all 12 games this season. He was the leading rusher with 690 yards in 157 attempts.. He rushed for 8 TD’s. He caught 19 passes for 137 yards.
No. 65 Trenton Sederwall – Junior – Offensive Lineman – Ozark
Trenton did not play in a game this season.
No. 43 Isaac Thompson – Freshman – Defensive Back – St. Louis University High
Isaac did not play in a game this season.
No. 55 Connor Tollison – Freshman RS – Offensive Lineman – Jackson
Connor played in all 12 games this season. He started 11 of those games at center.
No. 75 Mitchell Walters – Sophomore – Offensive Lineman – Mehlville
Mitchell played in all 12 games this season. He is a 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
No. 25 Ja’Marion Wayne – Freshman – Defensive Back – Parkway West
Ja’Marion played in 4 games this season.
No. 45 DJ Wesolak – Freshman – Linebacker – Boonville
DJ played in 4 games this season.
No. 88 Max Whisner – Freshman – Tight End – Lee’s Summit
Max played in 1 game this season.
No. 77 Tristan Wilson – Freshman – Offensive Lineman – Lebanon
Tristan has not played in a game this season.
No. 48 Ethan Wood – Freshman – Running Back – Capital City
Ethan has not played in a game this season.
Friday, December 23 - The Independence Bowl - Houton vs Louisiana
The Houston Cougars have 1 local player:
No. 23 Art Green - Senior Defensive Back - Parkway Central
Art was the Cougar’s fourth leading tackler with 40 tackles, 30 of which were solos. He had 2 tackles for loss for 10 yards. Art broke up 7 passes and intercepted 2, returning them for 65 yards.
There are no local players on the Louisiana roster.
Saturday, December 24 - The Hawaii Bowl - Middle Tennessee State vs San Diego State
There are no local players on the Middle Tennessee State roster.
There are no local players on the San Diego State roster
Monday, December 26 - The Quick Lane Bowl - Bowling Green vs New Mexico State
The Bowling Green Falcons have 2 local players:
No. 30 Cashius Howell - Freshman RS - Linebacker - Rockhurst
Cashius played in all 12 games, recording 20 tackles, of which 6 were solos. He had one quarterback rush, he broke up 1 pass and recovered a fumble.
No. 45 Rocco Hicks - Freshman RS - Tight End - Blue Valley West
Rocco has played in 7 games this season. He returned 1 kick off for 13 yards.
The New Mexico State Aggies have 5 local players:
No. 49 Gabe Peterson - Freshman - Linebacker - Blue Valley Northwest
Gabe has played in all 12 games, recording 17 tackles of which 9 were solos. He also has on quarterback hurry.
No. 22 Keyshaun Elliott - Freshman - Linebacker - Richmond
Keyshaun has not played in a game this season.
Bryce Childress - Sophomore RS - Wide Receiver - Trinity Catholic
Bryce has played in 11 games this season. He has caught 15 passes for 211 yards and 1 TD. He also has rushed once for 5 yards.
No. 42 Noah Arinze - Junior - Defensive Lineman - Webster Groves
Noah has played in 8 games this season. He has 8 tackles, of which 4 were solos.
No. 26 Sterling Webb - Freshman - Defensive Lineman - Westminster Christian Academy
Sterling has played in 11 games this season. He has 17 tackles, of which 9 were solos. He has 4 quarterback hurries and 2 forced fumbles.
Tuesday, December 27 - The First Responder Bowl - Memphis vs Utah State
The Memphis Tigers have 1 local player:
No. 78 Mitchell Gildehaus - Sophomore RS - Offensive Lineman - St. Francis Borgia
Mitchell has played in all 12 games this season. He was a 2021 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honoree.
There are no local players on the Utah State roster.
Tuesday, December 27 - The Birmingham Bowl - Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina
There are no local players on the Coastal Carolina roster.
There are no local players on the East Carolina roster
Tuesday, December 27 - The Camillia Bowl - Buffalo vs Georgia Southern
There are no local players on the Buffalo roster.
There are no local players on the Georgia Southern roster.
Tuesday, December 27 - The Guaranteed Rate Bowl - Oklahoma State vs Wisconsin
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have 5 local players:
No. 23 Cameron Epps - Freshman - Defensive Back - Chaminade
Cameron has played in 4 games this season. He has 3 tackles, 2 of which are solos.
No. 42 Max Muehlberger - Freshman - CW - Blue Valley Northwest
Max has not played in a game this season.
No. 88 Landon Dean - Freshman - Defensive End - Frontenac
Landon has not played in a game this season.
No. 82 Quinton Stewart - Sophomore RS - CW - Salina Central
Stewart has played in 10 games this season. He has 1 reception for 2 yards.
No. 66 Joe Michalski - Junior RS - Offensive Lineman - St. Thomas Aquinas
Joe has played in 11 games this season, starting the last 3 games of the regular season. He has been a Second Team Academic All-Big 12 and a First Team Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
The Wisconsin Badgers have 4 local players:
No. 85 Clay Cundiff - Junior - Tight End - Bishop Carroll
Clay has played in 4 games, catching 9 passes for 142 yards and 2 TD’s.
No. 5 Graham Mertz - Junior - Quarterback - Blue Valley North
Graham has played in all 12 games this season as the Badger’s starting quarterback. He completed 164 of 286 passes for 2,136 yards and 19 TD’s. He was a 2021 Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Graham has entered the transfer portal.
No. 91 Vito Calvaruso - Junior - Kicker - Helias
Vito has played in 2 games this season after having transferred from Arkansas following last season. He is 1 for 3 field goals and 7 for 7 in extra points.
No. 84 Chris Brooks, Jr. - Freshman - Wide Receivier - St. Louis Unversity High
Chris did not play in a game this season.
Wednesday, December 28 - The Military Bowl - Duke vs Central Florida
The Duke Blue Devils have 1 local player:
No. 68 Jack Burns - Graduate Student - Offensive Lineman - Bishop Miege
Jack has played in all 12 games this season, starting 7 games. He transferred to Duke after playing for Cornell University for four years.
There are no local players on the Central Florida roster.
Wednesday, December 28 - The Liberty Bowl - Arkansas vs Kansas
The Arkansas Razorbacks have 2 local players:
No. 89 Nathan Bax - Senior RS - Tight End - Helias
Nathan has played in 10 games this season. He has 2 receptions for 5 yards.
No. 74 Jalen St. John - Sophomore RS - Offensive Lineman - Trinity Catholic
Jalen has played in 11 games this season.
The Kansas Jayhawks have 36 local players:
No. 32 Tylan Alejos - Freshman - Running Back - Topeka
Tylan has played in 1 game this season.
No. 93 Sam Burt - Super Senior - Defensive Lineman - Abilene
Sam has played in all 12 games this season. He has 18 tackles, 11 of which are solos. He has 1.5 sacks for 12 yards of losses. Sam also has 1 quarterback hurry. After being a two time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree, he was named this year to the Academic All-America Second Team.
No. 94 Andon Carpenter - Freshman - Defensive Lineman - Derby
Andon has not played in a game this season
No. 47 Jared Casey - Sophomore RS - Tight End - Plainville
Jared has played in all 12 games, catching 16 passes for 218 yards and 3 TD’s. Last year Jared was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
No. 41 Ben Coates - Sophomore RS - Linebacker - Blue Valley North
Ben has not played in a game this season. He played one year at Benedictine College before transferring to Kansas.
No. 81 Quinton Conley - Freshman - Wide Receiver - Pembroke Hill
Quinton has not played in a game this season.
No. 86 Mac Copeland - Senior RS - Tight End - Wichita Collegiate
Mac has not played in a game this season. He is a three time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
No. 32 Dylan Downing - Junior RS - Linebacker - Bishop Miege
Dylan has played in 11 games this season. He has 4 solo tackles.
No. 63 Jake Eisenhauer - Freshman RS - Offensive Lineman - Salina Central
Jake has not played in a game this season.
No. 23 Mason Ellis - Freshman - Defensive Back - Mulvane
Mason has not played in a game this season.
No. 89 Mason Fairchild - Senior - Tight End - Andale
Mason has played in all 12 games this season. He has caught 29 passes for 363 yards and 5 TDS’s. Mason was named to this year’s All-Big 12 Second Team. He is also a two time Academic All-Big 12 Team honoree.
No. 58 Kael Farkes - Freshman - Offensive Lineman - Shawnee Mission Northwest
Kael has not played in a game this season.
No. 38 Ty Farrington - Freshman - Linebacker - Blue Valley North
Ty has not played in a game this season.
No. 31 Grant Glasgow - Freshman - Kicker - Lawrence
Grant has not played in a game this season.
No. 11 Luke Grimm - Junior - Wide Receiver - Raymore-Peculiar
Luke has played in 11 games this season. He is the second leading receiver with 42 catches for 456 yards and 5 TD’s. Luke was a 2021 Academic All-Big 12 Team honoree.
No. 87 Will Huggins - Sophomore RS - Tight End - Shawnee Mission South
Will has played in 1 game this season.
No. 45 Trevor Kardell - Sophomore RS - Tight End - Lee’s Summit West
Trevor has played in all 12 games this season. He has caught 5 passes for 65 yards and 1 TD. He has 1 kickoff return for 3 yards.
No. 69 Joe Krause - Sophomore RS - Offensive Lineman - Shawnee Mission East
Joe has not played in a game this season.
No. 14 Kai Kunz - Freshman - Quarterback - Andover Central
Kai has not played in a game this season.
No. 8 Kwinton Lassiter - Junior RS - Defensive Back - Free State
Kwinton has played in all 12 games this season. He has 3 solo tackles.
No. 49 Mack Moeller - Freshman RS - Tight End - Bishop Miege
Mack has not played in a game this season.
No. 39 Cole Mondi - Freshman RS - Linebacker - Lawrence
Cole has not played in a game this season.
No. 4 Devin Neal - Sophomore - Running Back - Lawrence
Devin has played in all 12 games this season is is the Jayhawk’s leading rusher. He has carried the ball 171 times for 1,061 yards and 9 TD’s. He has also caught 19 passes for 160 yards and 1 TD. This year Devin was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honoree, and the Offensive Player of the Year.
No. 27 Kenrick Osei-Bonsu - Freshman - Defensive Back - Olathe North
Kenrick has not played in a game this season.
No. 96 Cole Petrus - Freshman RS - Defensive End - Vianney
Cole has played in all 12 games this season. He has recorded 1 solo tackle
No. 34 Owen Piepergerdes - Freshman - Kicker - Rockhurst
Owen has played in 2 games this season.
No. 13 Jordan Preston - Junior RS - Quarterback - Mill Valley
Jordan has not played in a game this season
No. 67 Dominick Puni - Senior RS - Offensive Lineman - Francis Howell Central
Dominick has played in all 12 games this season. This year his is an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honoree.
No. 25 Kaleb Purdy - Freshman - Defensive Back - De Smet
Kaleb has not played in a game this season.
No. 80 Cole Rhoden - Freshman - Wide Receiver - Platte County
Cole played in 1 game this season.
No. 72 Danny Robinson - Sophomore RS - Offensive Lineman - Blue Valley Northwest
Danny has not played in a game this season.
No. 33 Spencer Roe - Senior RS - Fullback - Free State
Spencer has not played in a game this season. Following his redshirt freshman Season, he was an Academic All-Big 12 Second Team honoree.
No. 53 Caleb Taylor - Sophomore RS - Defensive Lineman - Staley
Caleb has played in 10 games this season. He has registered 9 tackles, 2 of which were solos. He has 1 tackle for a 1 yard loss and a half of a sack for a 1 yard loss.
No. 8 Ky Thomas - Sophomore RS - Running Back - Topeka
Ky has played in 8 games this season. He has 43 carries for 151 yards and 1 TD. He also has 3 receptions for 4 yards.
No. 36 DeAndre Thomas, Jr. - Freshman RS - Running Back - Blue Springs
DeAndre has played in 1 game this season. He has 1 carry for 5 yards.
No. 56 Parker Williams - Freshman - Defensive End - Rockhurst
Parker has not played in a game this season.
Wednesday, December 28 - The Holiday Bowl - Oregon vs North Carolina
The Oregon Ducks have 3 local players:
No. 25 Brison Cobbins - Sophomore - Running Back - Bishop Miege
Brison transferred to Oregon from Missouri Western after his freshman year. He has not played in a game this season.
No. 12 Jake Van Dyne - Sophomore - Quarterback - Liberty North
Jake transferred to Oregon from Missouri State after his freshman year. He has no played in a game this season.
No. 8 Dontae Manning - Sophomore - Defensive Back - Raytown
Dontae has played in all 12 games this season. He has 18 tackles, of which 14 are solos. Dontae also has 1 broken up pass.
There are no local players on the North Carolina roster
Wednesday, December 28 - The Texas Bowl - Texas Tech vs Mississippi
The Texas Tech Red Raiders have 2 local players:
No. 71 Monroe Mills - Sophomore - Offensive Lineman - Father Tolton
Monroe transferred to Texas Tech after two years at Oklahoma State. Monroe has played in 9 games this season.
No. 1 Krishon Merriweather - Super Senior - Linebacker - Hazelwood West
Krishon has played in all 12 games this season. He is the Texas Tech leading tackler with 104 tackles, of which 65 are solos. In additon to forcing 2 fumbles, he had 5 tackles for 18 yards in losses and 2 sacks for 11 yards.
There are no local players on the Mississippi roster.
Thursday, December 29 - The Pinstripe Bowl - Minnesota vs Syracuse
The Minnesota Gophers have 4 local players:
No. 9 Daniel Jackson - Junior - Wide Receiver - Bishop Miege
Daniel has played in 10 games this season and is the Gopher’s leading receiver with 33 receptions for 484 yards and 3 TD’s. As a sophomore, Daniel was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
No. 97 Jalen Logan-Redding - Sophomore RS - Defensive Lineman - Rock Bridge
Logan has played in all 12 games this season. He has recorded 16 tackles, of which 8 are solos. Logan has 3 tackles for 17 yards of losses and 1 sack for 14 yards.
No. 69 Aireontae Ersery - Sophomore RS - Defensive Lineman - Ruskin
Aireontae became a starter this year, earhing All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He was also an Academic All-Big Ten honoree his freshman year.
No. 37 Brady Weeks - Senior - Long Snapper - Fort Zumwalt West
Brady has been the Gopher’s long snapper all four years. He has snapped 100 times this season (43 PAT, 17 FG, 40 Punts) and has 2 tackles.
There are no local players on the Syracuse roster.
Thursday, December 29 - The Cheez-it Bowl - Florida State vs Oklahoma
There are no local players on the Florida State roster.
The Oklahoma Sooners have 2 local players:
No. 22 Daniel Parker - Fifth Year - Tight End - Blue Springs
Daniel transferred to Oklahoma after four seasons at Missouri. He has played in 9 games while catching 4 passes for 28 yards.
No. 78 Marcus Hicks - Junior RS - Offensive Lineman - Wichita Northwest
Marcus has played in 2 games this season.
Thursday, December 29 - The Alamo Bowl - Washington vs Texas
There are no local players on the Washington roster.
There are no local players on the Texas roster.
Thank-you for reading and following along! Please let me know what you think!