The 2026 Hula Bowl will be played on Saturday, January 10th. Several NFL hopefuls will desend upon Spec Martin Memorial Stadium in DeLand, Florida to practice and play in front of talent evaluators. As the 80th anniversary of this historic all-star event, the game serves as a critical evaluation period for over 120 seniors looking to improve their stock ahead of the draft.
This year’s rosters feature a unique blend of high-profile transfers and small-school standouts, all competing under the watchful eyes of scouts from the NFL, UFL, and CFL.
Quarterbacks and Backfield
The signal-callers for the 2026 edition offer a fascinating mix of experience and raw athleticism. Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen and Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones headline the group, with both looking to prove they can operate under the structured demands of a professional offense. They are joined by Jake Retzlaff of Tulane and Athan Kaliakmanis of Rutgers, two players known for their grit and ability to extend plays. In the backfield, the talent is led by Pitt’s Desmond Reid and Kansas’ Leshon Williams. Reid, in particular, enters the game with significant buzz due to his explosive lateral movement and versatility as a pass-catcher, while Myles Montgomery of UCF provides a local flavor and a physical downhill running style that scouts often prize in late-round evaluations.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
The receiving corps is arguably the most dynamic unit on the field this year. Notre Dame’s Will Pauling and Rutgers’ D.T. Sheffield are the names to watch; both are polished route-runners who should thrive in the one-on-one drills leading up to kickoff. Other notable targets include O’Mega Blake of Arkansas and Kobe Prentice of Baylor, who both possess the vertical speed to stretch the defense. At tight end, the focus shifts to Brandon Frazier of Auburn and Carsen Ryan of BYU. These players represent the modern “Y” receiver mold—big-bodied targets who have the frame to block but the soft hands required to be a safety valve for their quarterbacks over the middle.
Offensive and Defensive Lines
Depth is the calling card for the offensive line this year, with a strong contingent of tackles. Tristan Leigh of Clemson and Micah Pettus of Florida State bring elite pedigrees and massive frames to the edge, aiming to solidify their status as draftable prospects. Inside, Bryce Foster of Kansas and Gavin Gerhardt of Cincinnati anchor the center position, bringing years of Power Five starting experience. They face a formidable defensive front led by Bernard Gooden of LSU and Rene Konga of Louisville. The edge rushers, including Wesley Bailey of Louisville and Nathan Voorhis of Ball State, will be under intense scrutiny as they look to showcase the “bend” and closing speed necessary to compete at the next level.
Linebackers and Secondary
Defensively, the back seven is loaded with playmakers who have a history of high production. The linebacker group is anchored by Namdi Obiazor of TCU and Dariel Djabome of Rutgers, both of whom have shown the sideline-to-sideline range needed in today’s pass-heavy NFL. In the secondary, the Hula Bowl has assembled a deep pool of defensive backs, headlined by Missouri’s Toriano Pride Jr. and Rutgers’ Cam Miller. These corners will be tested early and often by a talented receiving group, providing a high-stakes environment to prove their man-coverage capabilities. Safeties like Xavier Nwankpa of Iowa and Malik Spencer of Michigan State provide the veteran leadership and ball-hawking skills in the deep third that scouts look for in reliable special teams contributors and rotational defenders.