These football players from Louisville-area high schools will play in upcoming bowl games
Several college football players from Louisville-area and Southern Indiana high schools will participate in bowl games in the coming weeks.
Following is a list of the bowl games that will include local players. The list may not reflect players who have entered the transfer portal or decided to skip postseason play.
Cure Bowl
Who: Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina
When: 6 p.m. on Dec. 17
Where: Orlando, Fla.
TV: ESPN2
Local player: Northern Illinois’ Isaac Hatfield (freshman long snapper, Floyd Central).
Boca Raton Bowl
Who: Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State
When: 11 a.m. on Dec. 18
Where: Boca Raton, Fla.
TV: ESPN
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Local players: Western Kentucky’s Omari Alexander (senior defensive back, Manual); Beanie Bishop (sophomore defensive back Pleasure Ridge Park); B.K. Smith (junior wide receiver, Male); Matthew Smith (senior wide receiver, St. Xavier); Cole Spencer (senior offensive lineman, Trinity); Bryson Washington (sophomore linebacker, Pleasure Ridge Park); and Drew Zaubi, (sophomore quarterback, South Oldham)
Lending Tree Bowl
Who: Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty
When: 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 18
Where: Mobile, Ala.
TV: ESPN
Local player: Eastern Michigan’s Russell Vaden IV (junior defensive back, Moore).
New Orleans Bowl
Who: Louisiana vs. Marshall
When: 9:15 p.m. on Dec. 18
Where: New Orleans
TV: ESPN
Local players: Marshall’s Arak McDuffie (sophomore defensive lineman, Trinity) and Ethan Driskell (freshman offensive lineman, Holy Cross).
Frisco Football Classic
Who: North Texas vs. Miami (Ohio)
When: 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 23
Where: Frisco, Texas
TV: ESPN
Local players: Miami’s Eli Blakey (freshman defensive back, Manual) and Terran Hearn (freshman defensive lineman, Ballard).
Gasparilla Bowl
Who: Central Florida vs. Florida
When: 7 p.m. on Dec. 23
Where: Tampa, Fla.
TV: ESPN
Local players: Central Florida’s Ricky Barber (sophomore defensive lineman, Doss) and Malachi Lawrence (freshman defensive lineman Manual).
Camellia Bowl
Who: Georgia State vs. Ball State
When: 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 25
Where: Montgomery, Ala.
TV: ESPN
Local players: Ball State’s Bryce Cosby (senior defensive back, Manual); Charlie Ely (freshman linebacker, Trinity); Caleb Murray (junior offensive lineman, Trinity).
First Responder Bowl
Who: Air Force vs. Louisville
When: 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 28
Where: Dallas
TV: ESPN
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Local players: Louisville’s Jordan Watkins (freshman wide receiver, Butler); Nathan McElroy (freshman quarterback, Trinity); Aidan Robbins (freshman running back, Manual); Josh Minkins (freshman defensive back, Ballard); Isaac Martin (junior tight end, Trinity); Ramon Puryear (freshman defensive lineman, Eastern); Josh Lifson (freshman tight end, Kentucky Country Day); William Paar (freshman tight end, Kentucky Country Day); Isiah Downing (sophomore defensive back, Ballard); Dayna Kinnaird (junior defensive lineman, Jeffersonville); Emmanual Sowders (junior offensive lineman, Jeffersontown); Marshon Ford (sophomore tight end, Ballard); Bradley West (freshman wide receiver, Trinity); Elijah Downing (freshman wide receiver, Ballard); Jaelin Carter (junior wide receiver, Manual); and Derek Dorsey (senior defensive lineman, Manual).
Music City Bowl
Who: Tennessee vs. Purdue
When: 3 p.m. on Dec. 30
Where: Nashville, Tenn.
TV: ESPN
Local players: Purdue’s Milton Wright (junior wide receiver, Christian Academy); Jack Albers (sophomore quarterback, St. Xavier); Zac Collins (senior punter, St. Xavier); and D.J. Washington (senior lineman, Ballard).
Arizona Bowl
Who: Central Michigan vs. Boise State
When: 2 p.m. on Dec. 31
Where: Tucson, Ariz.
TV: Barstool Sports
Local player: Central Michigan’s Marion Lukes (freshman running back, Charlestown)
Cotton Bowl
Who: Cincinnati vs. Alabama
When: 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 31
Where: Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN
Local players: Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder (senior quarterback, St. Xavier); Jacob Dingle (junior safety, Trinity); and Jack Dingle (freshman linebacker, Trinity).
Orange Bowl
Who: Georgia vs. Michigan
When: 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31
Where: Miami Gardens, Fla.
TV: ESPN
Local player: Michigan’s Cole Hussung (sophomore kicker, Floyd Central).
Citrus Bowl
Who: Iowa vs. Kentucky
When: 1 p.m. on Jan. 1
Where: Orlando, Fla.
TV: ABC
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Local players: Kentucky’s Alex Bascom (junior defensive tackle, St. Xavier); Richard Bascom (junior defensive tackle, St. Xavier); Jared Casey (sophomore linebacker, Ballard); Tae Tae Crumes (sophomore wide receiver, Butler); Izayah Cummings (sophomore wide receiver, Male); Luke Leeper (sophomore wide receiver, Christian Academy); Jordan Morrow (junior long snapper, St. Xavier); Jack Varga (junior fullback, St. Xavier); J.J. Weaver (sophomore linebacker, Moore); John Young (freshman offensive tackle, Christian Academy).
Rose Bowl
Who: Ohio State vs. Utah
When: 5 p.m. on Jan. 1
Where: Pasadena, Calif.
TV: ESPN
Local player: Ohio State’s Zen Michalski (freshman offensive lineman, Floyd Central),
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Meet Louisville-area athletes playing in college bowl games 2021
