25 players to watch in non-College Football Playoff bowl games

The career points leader (362) in Louisiana football history, Almendares has played parts of seven seasons in the program. This season, Almendares is 27-of-29 on field-goal attempts and 25-of-25 from 49 yards or fewer. That resume was good enough for Almendares to be named a finalist for the Lou Groza Award. He will cap his lengthy but impressive collegiate career when the Ragin' Cajuns (10-3) face TCU in the New Mexico Bowl.

Batty is not flashy, but a true force on the edge of the Cougars' defensive line. A first-team All-Big 12 performer this season, Batty only has 1 1/2 sacks in 2024, but has 55 tackles and seven loss and remains one of the most disruptive defensive ends in the country. It will be interesting to see how the 6-foot-5, 175-pound Batty can pressure star Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (more on him later) in the Alamo Bowl. 

The American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Daily has run the Army option attack to near to tremendous success in 2024. Entering the annual Army-Navy game, Daily logged 1,474 rushing yards and an AAC-record 29 touchdowns on the ground. And, there were more than a few people who were upset Daily was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Daily will get one more time to shine when the Black Knights face Marshall in the Independence Bowl.

Dart was quick to announce he will be playing in Ole Miss' Gator Bowl matchup with Duke. It's a rather bitter consolation prize on a 9-3 season for the Rebels, whose loss at Florida on Nov. 23 did in their College Football Playoff hopes. However, Dart remains one of the best quarterbacks in the country and led SEC passing yards (3,875), passer rating (177.69) and completion percentage (68.6), while throwing 25 touchdowns against six interceptions. He also ran for more than 600 yards. So, those in attendance or watching the Gator Bowl from a far should be in for a treat.

The Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the year, Dolac enters bowl season as the nation's leader with 159 tackles. Dolac's 13.2 tackles per contest also lead the nation while his 76 solos are second-most in the country and the 16 1/2 tackles for loss he's recorded are among the top 10. It's a strong comeback for Dolac, whose 2023 season was limited to four games due to injury. Dolac and the Bulls face Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl on Jan. 4, the last non-CFP bowl contest to be played this season.

Second in the country with 16 1/2 sacks, Ezeiruaku became Boston College's leader in that department for a season while also being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. It was a major bounce back for the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder, who had a disappointing individual campaign in 2023 after he recorded 8 1/2 sacks in '22. In addition, he ranks second in the country with 20 1/2 tackles for loss. Assuming Nebraska's Dylan Raiola is under center for their Pinstripe Bowl matchup with the Golden Eagles, it will be interesting to see if Ezeiruaku can get to him.

An under-the-radar name to the casual college football fan and a rising NFL prospect, Fannin leads all FBS tight ends with 1,342 receiving yards and 100 receptions. In fact, both rank second nationally among all pass catchers for 2024. Like other prominent names on this list, the 6-4 230-pound Fannin could opt out of Bowling Green's 68 Ventures Bowl against Arkansas State, but that would be a shame as Fannin's stock among public opinion would likely rise if he takes the field. 

After rushing for 1,378 yards last season, Hughes racked up 1,372 yards entering the Green Wave's date with Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl. His 15 rushing touchdowns are eight more than he totaled as a freshman in 2023. Now, Hughes has carried the ball just 23 times while Tulane lost its last two games -- versus Memphis and Army, so the goal should be to get the ball in his hands quite often against the Gators, which allows 3.9 yards per carry.  

Say what one will about the antics of Colorado coach Deion Sanders, and some of his players, but the fact he wants his stars to face BYU in the Alamo Bowl, and they seem excited to do so, is quite refreshing. Hunter is arguably the best player in the country. The Buffaloes' do-it-all superstar, caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards with 14 touchdowns and also had four interceptions on the other side of the ball -- while logging more than 150 snaps. The game is being broadcast on ABC, so don't think the fact Hunter and teammate Shedeur Sanders (again, more on him soon) are playing had something to do with it. 

Lagway's arrival on the national scene came sooner than expected. The five-star recruit wasn't expected to be a factor in 2024, but ineffectiveness and injury at quarterback for the Gators opened the door for Lagway to make his presence felt. Florida is 5-1 with Lagway as the starter, including wins in the last three over-ranked LSU and Ole Miss squads, as well as rival Florida State. In his last four contests, which includes a loss to Georgia, where the Gators led at halftime, Lagway has thrown six touchdowns, two interceptions and posted a 146.5 passer rating. Following Florida's date with Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl, Lagway is expected to be among the nation's top-rated quarterbacks for 2025. 

A two-time, first-team All-American Athletic Conference performer, Martin led the Tigers with 94 tackles -- which ranked sixth in the league. Martin also recorded 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks, to make him one of the most feared defenders in the country. In two seasons at Memphis, Martin has totaled more than 180 tackles, 32 for loss and 10 sacks. Martin expects to further display that talent against West Virginia in the Frisco Bowl. 

It probably would surprise many that McCord leads the nation with 4,326 passing yards. He's also among the country's best with 29 touchdown passes (but has thrown 12 interceptions) during a record-setting first season with the Orange. Yes, this is the same Kyle McCord who didn't feel the love at Ohio State. Perhaps it's a bit of redemption for McCord, who earned second-team All-ACC honors. Now, he will try to lead Syracuse to a 10th win in the Holiday Bowl against Washington State.

Rutgers' first unanimous offensive first-team All-Big Ten selection, Monangai reportedly is still weighing his options about whether to play in the Rate Bowl against Kansas State. Obviously, it would be a treat for Scarlet Knights fans and those of the college game to see Monangai, who has rushed for 2,541 yards the last two seasons combined. He'll leave Rutgers ranked second on the school's all-time rushing list with more than 3,200 yards. Yet many fans around the country probably still don't know much about him. 

As San Jose State is promoting it, Nash is a triple crown winner. The talented but likely unheralded Biletnikoff Award finalist finished the regular season as the nation's leader in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,382), and receiving touchdowns (16). Nash caught at least one touchdown pass in each of the first 10 games, too. Not bad for a guy who began his college career with the Spartans, back in 2019, as a quarterback before moving to receiver in 2022. Nash and SJSU will spend Christmas Eve in the Hawai'i Bowl against South Florida, which boasts one of the nation's worst passing defenses allowing 279.2 yards per game.

A first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection, O'Malley has been an NIU staple since 2020. He's played 56 collegiate games for the Huskies, and enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign. O'Malley ranks among the MAC leaders with eight sacks and 11 1/2 tackles for loss, while also recording a career-best 37 tackles this season for the 7-5 Huskies, who face Fresno State on the blue turf in the Potato Bowl. He posted two of those sacks and four tackles during NIU's 16-14 win at then-No. 5 Notre Dame in Week 2.

As with Hunter, we know Sanders is expected to face BYU in the Alamo Bowl. How much he actually plays remains to be seen. If we include Sanders' totals at FCS Jackson State, he enters bowl season with 14,139 career passing yards, 132 passing touchdowns, 25 interceptions and completed 70.1 percent of his passes. Like Hunter, Sanders will be taken quite early in the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 1 overall, perhaps?), but the country is at least getting one more chance to see how he got to this point. 

An All-Big Ten performer, Scott could be the next talented Illinois defensive back to find success in the NFL. Scott leads the 9-3 Illini with four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. That gives him six picks in the last two seasons. In addition, Scott has broken up six passes this season, has 44 total tackles (39 solos) and a sack for an Illinois team that could have its hands full against South Carolina in this Citrus Bowl matchup between a pair of major conference surprise teams. 

James Madison enters the bowl season tied for fourth in the nation with 17 team interceptions. Spence leads the way with five of those picks. He's also been credited with seven passes defended and 25 tackles. However, the Dukes' defense has allowed 101 points in the last three games. But, that unit has a chance to finish on a positive note versus Boca Raton Bowl opponent Western Kentucky, which averaged 14.8 points in the last four games. 

One of the great stories around the country in 2024. Stewart came to Jacksonville State after playing three seasons at Division II Limestone University in South Carolina, where he ran for 2,994 yards and 24 touchdowns. With the Gamecocks this season, Stewart ran for more than half that, 1,601 yards (third in the FBS), along with 23 scores (also third in the nation). Three times, Stewart topped the 200 rushing-yard mark this year, including his 201, three-touchdown effort in the Conference USA Championship game win over Western Kentucky. Stewart, though, could be in for a stiff test in the Cure Bowl against MAC champion Ohio, which has allowed just 57 points and an average of 72.0 rushing yards during its six-game winning streak. 

Looks like Ward is giving Hurricanes fans one last look at his collegiate greatness by playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State. And, considering that the Cyclones might still be reeling from being roughed up by Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship game, Ward could be in for a big day. Though Miami did achieve the level of success the program and its fans hoped in Ward's only season at the school, he was brilliant. Entering bowl season, Ward ranks first in the country in passing touchdowns (36), second in passing yards (4,123) and fourth in passer rating (171.1). We're looking forward to this one last hurrah.

Watson-Trent has enjoyed a stellar collegiate career, and is about to complete a second straight season with first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. With a team-leading 110 tackles in 2024, Watson-Trent has recorded at least that many in three consecutive campaigns for the Eagles, who will face Sam Houston in the New Orleans Bowl. He's also tied for fifth nationally with four forced fumbles. 

Ohio's offense gets plenty of attention, but Weaver and the Bobcats' defense are a big reason the team has won six in a row (allowing 57 total points), including a 38-3 rout of Miami in the Mid-American Conference Championship game. Weaver, who still appears set to play against Jacksonville State in the Cure Bowl, has been a consistently disruptive force for the Bobcats for some time. This season, he ranked tied second in the MAC with eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He recorded 1 1/2 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries to be named defensive MVP of the MAC title game.

Since the beginning of the 2020 season, Williams' 14 interceptions are tied for second-most in the country during that span. Williams spent the last two seasons roaming the secondary for Cal, and in 2024, he enters bowl season leading the nation with seven of those picks. And, he should be primed for the Golden Bears' slot in the LA Bowl, where they will face UNLV, where Williams spent his first three seasons and recorded five interceptions. 

It will be interesting to see what Alabama's collective focus looks like after not being included in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Instead, the Crimson Tide faces Michigan in a matchup of last season's overtime thriller in the national semifinal a year ago. This year, there is little play for when the two meet in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year's Eve. But, for those who tune in, Williams is worth the time spent. The true freshman was remarkable this season, making 45 catches for 857 yards with eight touchdowns for an inconsistent Crimson Tide offense. Showcasing his big-play ability, Williams averaged 19.0 yards per catch and had five games with a long of at least 43 yards. 

It was certainly a big deal when Woodard recently announced he'll play in UNLV's LA Bowl matchup versus Cal. The Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year and enters the bowl season ranked seventh in the country with 124 tackles, topping his impressive 116 from 2023. This year, Woodard also ranks among the national leaders with 17 tackles for loss. In addition, Woodard recorded 3 1/2 sacks, picked off four passes and recovered two fumbles for the 10-3 Rebels.