College Gridiron Showcase

The College Gridiron Showcase (CGS) is an independently operated annual post-season college football event hosted each January in Fort Worth, Texas.[1] The event consists of NFL draft prospects who have completed their eligibility in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and the NAIA. CGS also hosts the Pro Gridiron Showcase for non-draft eligible free agents. The event originated as a post-season all star game in 2015, but switched to its current drill showcase and "controlled scrimmage" format in 2016.[2]

College Gridiron Showcase
CGS
StadiumMcNair Stadium
LocationFort Worth, Texas
Previous stadiumsPennington Field
Previous locationsAddison, Texas (2018)
Bedford, Texas (2016–2017)
Addison, Texas (2015)
Operated2015–present

In addition to on-field drills, the event also features educational seminars including those on financial acumen and marketing.

History

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2015

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The inaugural CGS event, an All Star Game format was held in Addison, TX. Of the 104 participants, 10 were selected in the NFL Draft, 53 signed as undrafted free agents, and 22 were rookie camp invitees. The event also featured the number one overall pick in the 2015 CFL Draft, Alex Mateas.[3][4]

Notable participants

Player College
Josh Shirley UNLV
Dyshawn Davis Syracuse
Antonio Johnson North Texas
Quin Epperly Princeton
Ricky Collins Texas A&M - Commerce
Tyree Hollins Grambling State
Dominique Davis Liberty
Alex Mateas UCONN
Mark Roberts Lamar University
Chris Reed Minnesota St- Mankato
Justin Hamilton UL- Lafayette
David Mayo Texas State
Rick Lovato Old Dominion
Harold Jones-Quartey Findlay University

2016

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The 2016 CGS was held at Pennington Field in Bedford, Texas and was the first that featured the showcase format as opposed to all star game.[5]

Notable participants in the 2016 College Gridiron Showcase include CFL stars Juwan Brescacin, Romar Morris, Eric Temple, Robert Porter, Marvin Hall, Jr., and Reggie Begelton, NFL players Jakeem Grant, Trevor Williams, Jackson Branden, Andrew Adams, and JD McKissic, as well as the XFL's Kenneth Farrow and Jake Shenandoah.[6]

2017

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The 2017 CGS was held at Pennington Field in Bedford, Texas. Lake Erie's Anthony Kukwa was named offensive MVP. Arkansas State's Chris Odom was the defensive MVP.[7]

Notable participants[8]

Player College
Christophe Mulumba Maine
Dane Evans Tulsa
Anthony Cioffi Rutgers
DaQuan Pace Eastern Michigan
Romond DeLoatch Temple
Seth Coate University of Saint Francis
Chad Geter Gardner-Webb University
Samuel Williams East Texas Baptist University
Drew Wolitarsky Minnesota
Qadr Spooner McGill
Younghoe Koo Georgia Southern
Alex Armah West Georgia
Rashaad Coward Old Dominion
Matt Breida Georgia Southern
Adam Butler Vanderbilt
Jake Hollister Wyoming
Bradley Seaton Villanova
Christian Kuntz Duquesne
Nick James Mississippi State
Tyson Graham South Dakota
Casey Sayles Ohio
David Rivers Youngstown State

2018

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The 2018 College Gridiron Showcase was held at Greenhill School in Addison, TX.

Notable participants

Player College
Julien Laurent Georgia State University
David Knevel University of Nebraska
David Mackie Western (CA)
Godfrey Onyeka Wilfrid Laurier
Jackson Bennett University of Ottawa
Andrew Pickett University of Guelph
Tyrone Pierre Laval University
Trent Sherfield Vanderbilt
Alvin Jones UTEP
Michael Love University of South Florida
Kaare Vedvik Marshall University
Dontrell Hilliard Tulane
Michael Ford Southeast Missouri State
Alex Light University of Richmond
Elijah Nkansah The University of Toledo
George Odum Central Arkansas
Matthew Adams University of Houston
Tre Herndon Vanderbilt
Daniel Ekuale Washington State University
Sebastian Joseph-Day Rutgers University
Nathaniel Wozniak University of Minnesota
Ryan Santoso University of Minnesota
Vyncint Smith Limestone College
Craig James Southern Illinois University
Emmanuel Ellerbee Rice University
Darius James Auburn
Austin MacGinnis University of Kentucky
Tomasi Laulile Brigham Young University
Logan Tuley-Tillman UTEP
James Butler Iowa
Chad Kanoff Princeton University
Fred Lauina Oregon State University
De'Mornay Pierson-El University Of Nebraska
Kellen Soulek South Dakota State
Ryan White Vanderbilt
Jalen Tolliver University of Arkansas at Monticello

2019

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The 2019 OTA-style format was held January 5–9, 2019 at McNair Stadium in Fort Worth.[9] In addition to the regular showcase and symposium, the 2020 event saw the addition of a "Small School Invitational Showcase" to provide a scouting forum for players from lower tier conferences.[10]

Running back AJ Ouellette from Ohio University and defensive end Kevin Thompson from Bethune-Cookman were named offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively.[11]

Notable participants

Player College
Cole Sears University of Arkansas at Monticello
Zackary Williams University of Manitoba
Samuel Thomassin University Laval
Jamie Harry University of Ottawa
Nate Rogers Wayne State College
Delroy Baker Jr Indiana University
Connor Griffiths University of British Columbia
Brady Oliveira University of North Dakota
Freedom Akinmoladun Nebraska
Luke Gifford Nebraska
Austin Fort University of Wyoming
Trinity Benson East Central Oklahoma
PJ Locke III University of Texas at Austin
Kabion Ento University of Colorado
Tim Ward Old Dominion University
Jody Fortson Jr. Valdosta State University
AJ Cole North Carolina State University
Gunner Olszewski Bemidji State University
Jake Dolegala Central Connecticut State University
Derrick Kelly Jr Florida State University
Kareem Orr Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC)
Jonathan Harris Lindenwood University
James O’Hagan University at Buffalo
Jawuan Johnson Texas Christian University
Durrant Miles Boise State
Kirk Barron Purdue University
Bruno Reagan Vanderbilt University

2020

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CGS 2020 was held January 3–8 at McNair Stadium in Fort Worth.[12]

Notable participants

Player College
Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund Southeastern Louisiana
Dante Brown Fort Hays State University
Stavros Katsantonis University of British Columbia
Cameron Lawson Queen's University
Adam Auclair Université Laval
Dylan Giffen Western University
Noah Hallett McMaster University
Marc Liegghio University of Western
Jaylon Moore UT-Martin
Joshua Thomas Appalachian State University
Sam Franklin Jr Temple University
Lachavious Simmons Tennessee State University
Kendall Futrell East Carolina university
Willington Previlon Rutgers University
Tyler Davis Georgia Tech
Austen Pleasants Ohio University
Matt Cole McKendree University
Bill Murray William and Mary
Blake Gillikin Penn State University
Corliss Waitman University of South Alabama
Chase Harrell University of Arkansas
Gavin Heslop Stony Brook University
Elijah Mencer University at Albany
Benning Potoae Washington
Aaron Brewer Texas State University

References

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  1. ^ "College Gridiron Showcase & Symposium Moves to McNair Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas". College Gridiron Showcase. 2018-10-15. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  2. ^ "Press Release: College Gridiron Showcase is back for 2016". College Gridiron Showcase. 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  3. ^ "2015 College Gridiron Showcase". College Gridiron Showcase. 2015-11-29. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  4. ^ "Calling Home: Ottawa pegs Alex Mateas first overall". CFL.ca. 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  5. ^ "Press Release: College Gridiron Showcase is back for 2016". College Gridiron Showcase. 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  6. ^ "All-Star Roster". College Gridiron Showcase. 2016-01-04. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  7. ^ "CGS Halo Neuroscience All-Star & Select MVPs". College Gridiron Showcase. 2017-01-12. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  8. ^ "2017 CGS Roster". College Gridiron Showcase. 2016-12-28. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  9. ^ "Fort Worth the Ultimate Sports Destination". Sports Planning Guide. 2016-08-30. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  10. ^ "2020 CGS Small School Invitational Showcase". College Gridiron Showcase. 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  11. ^ "NFL Draft-Eligible Seniors Shine at 5th Annual College Gridiron Showcase". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  12. ^ Hunt, Emory. "On the Scouting Trail: Player notes, recaps, interviews and video from the 2020 College Gridiron Showcase". The Athletic. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
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