The 2022 Spiral Tropical Bowl takes place today in Orlando at Camping World Stadium. The game kicks off at 3 pm central and be watched on pay-per-view via this link. The Tropical Bowl has usually taken place in Daytona Beach but for some reason this year decided to run in the same city, on the same day as the Hula Bowl. In the All-Star game pecking order, the Tropical Bowl is battling the College Gridiron Showcase for 5th in the pecking order.
There are a handful of players listed on the Tropical Bowl roster that are borderline draftable.
2022 TROPICAL BOWL: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Starting on offense, Ball State QB Drew Plitt has had a good career for the Cardinals. Plitt has been a four-year starter. He has an above-average arm and throws a catchable football. Is he in the draft-and-stash conversation? Probably not. However, I believe Plitt is in a camp after the draft. Plitt is currently my #18 QB in this class.
WR Jack Sorenson of Miami (OH) is a highly productive, big-play threat. Sorenson caught 76 passes in 2021 for 1406 yards and ten scores. He has great hands but probably lacks top-flight athletic ability. Sorenson is currently my #45 overall wide receiver.
Central Michigan edge rusher Troy Hairston is quick around the bend and finishes QBs. Unfortunately for him, his genes kept him under six feet tall. 5’11” ain’t going to fly as a defensive end in the NFL. Hairston, who has 15 career sacks and 33 TFLs, will have to convert to linebacker to make it at the next level.
Western Michigan safety A.J. Thomas is an enforcer type of defender but also is solid in coverage. In ten games this year, Thomas had 42 solo tackles out of his 53 total. He also had five PBUs. Thomas will likely be a safety/LB hybrid should he make a team. He is currently my #25 ranked safety.
Michigan State edge rusher Jacub Panasiuk is a high motor defender. He had his most productive year for Sparty in 2021. Panasiuk isn’t going to break any athletic records but he can help a club in 2022.