While the college football season ended earlier this month with Georgia clinching its second consecutive national title, for seniors their new journey has just begun. This Saturday, Texas Tech football alumni SaRodorick Thompson and Krishon Merriweather will have the chance to impress NFL scouts at this year’s tournament. NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The game is one of several college star games, including the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, just to name a few.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is the newest all-star game. Created in 2012, game week offers seniors the opportunity to learn the business side of the NFL and be introduced to the players’ union. Most importantly, veterans are coached by former NFL coaches and players as they eye the next NFL Draft.
Former NFL head coaches including Dick Vermeil, Mike Martz and Marvin Lewis along with former NFL players such as Darrell Green coached both teams. This year, the National Team will be coached by former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, while the USA Team will be coached by former Titans and St. Louis head coach. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, Jeff Fisher. Thompson will play for the US National Team, while Merriweather will play for the National Team.
SaRodorick Thompson spent most of his senior season sharing carries with running back Tahj Brooks. He rushed for 684 yards and scored seven rushing touchdowns, tying him with Brooks and quarterback Donovan Smith as the best player on the team. While he may not have put up the numbers as some of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12, Thompson remained an important leader in the 2022 Red Raiders.
Coming off Irving, Thompson immediately showed flashes in Kliff Kingsbury’s final season in 2018. His mix of strength and explosiveness made him a great running back in an offense that, during his era, had three different head coaches and four offensive coordinators. Despite the rotation in the team, Thompson remained faithful and impacted the balance of an offense that is characterized by throwing the ball over the backyard.
For Krishon Merriweather, the road to being an impactful linebacker in the Big 12 took a detour. He spent three seasons at Garden City Community College in Kansas before Matt Wells convinced him to sign with the Red Raiders in 2020. Despite being shorter than just six feet, Merriweather led the team in tackles in his first season at Tech. when he became a key defensive player.
His senior and super senior seasons helped the Red Raider defense rise to a new level. He played in all 26 games, including two bowl games, and his senior season saw him total a team-leading 112 tackles. Merriweather set the tone each game and set the stage for a new group of young linebackers to take the reins.
It remains to be seen how much game time Thompson and Merriweather will have on Saturday, but the entire week of practice is just as vital. Scouts from several NFL teams will be in attendance, so this is a great opportunity to impress. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will air live on the NFL Network at 6 pm ET.
