Colorado Football Stars Shine at 2025 Hula Bowl in Orlando

Six Colorado football players, including three who have declared for the NFL draft, are set to showcase their talents at the 2025 Hula Bowl in Orlando, Fla. The annual postseason college football all-star game will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. MT at FBC Mortgage Stadium, home of the UCF Knights.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders traveled to Orlando to support his players, who are among the standout athletes participating in the event. The Hula Bowl roster includes notable Big 12 players such as wide receivers Xzavier Henderson (Cincinnati) and Kobe Hudson (UCF), running back Micah Bernard (Utah), cornerback Myles Purchase (Iowa State), and kicker Tyler Loop (Arizona).

Chidozie Nwankwo, a former Houston lineman who recently declared for the NFL draft, will represent Colorado. In his lone season with the Buffaloes, Nwankwo recorded 32 tackles, five tackles for loss (TFLs), and two sacks. BJ Green II, another NFL draft hopeful, led Colorado in TFLs (12) and sacks (7.5) during the 2024 season.

Shane Cokes, a defensive leader for the Buffaloes, contributed 19 tackles and one sack in 2024 despite battling injuries. Australian punter Mark Vassett, affectionately known as ‘Mate,’ also earned a spot in the game after becoming a favorite of Coach Prime during his two seasons at Colorado.

Offensive lineman Justin Mayers, who transferred from UTEP, closed the regular season with five starts at left guard and one at right guard. Linebacker LaVonta Bentley, who declared for the NFL draft earlier this week, tallied 55 tackles, four TFLs, and one sack in his second season with the Buffaloes.

The Hula Bowl provides a platform for college athletes to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts and fans. Colorado’s representation underscores the program’s growing talent under Coach Sanders’ leadership.