Watch for locals in several bowls
The college bowl season begins today and many athletes from Hampton Roads will be in action, including the Fiesta Bowl where Ohio State meets Clemson in a College Football Playoff semifinal at 8 p.m. on Dec. 28 on ESPN.
Ohio State sophomore linebacker Teradja Mitchell (Catholic) has played in nine games this season and has 12 tackles, including two for loss. He was named Academic All-Big Ten.
Clemson lineman Jordan Williams (Cox) already has one national title from last season and now tries to get another. He has 27 tackles with 2½ sacks and two pass breakups. True freshman Sheridan Jones (Maury) has six tackles and a pass breakup.
Here’s a look at other bowl games that local players will participate in.
Today
Bahamas Bowl
Buffalo vs. Charlotte, 2 p.m, ESPN.
Buffalo running back Kevin Marks (Norview) leads the Bulls. This season, he’s rushed for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 12 receptions for 41 yards. Teammate and cornerback Isaiah King (Norview) has four tackles. Charlotte defensive back Ja’Cione Fugate (Kecoughtan) has two tackles.
Saturday
Cure Bowl
Liberty vs. Georgia Southern, 2:30 p.m., CBSSN
Liberty true freshman Tayvion Land (Ocean Lakes) has 23 tackles in 10 games this season. Teammate Elisha Mitchell (Bayside) has eight tackles.
Monday, Dec. 23
Gasparilla Bowl
Central Florida vs. Marshall, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Marshall linebacker Tavante Beckett (Indian River) leads the Thundering Herd in tackles with 114. He also has two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was named firstteam All-Conference USA. Teammate Jaquan Yulee (Indian River) suffered a broken neck in the season opener, but vows to return next season. Central Florida has three players from the area, including quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. (Norview), but he missed this season with a broken ankle. The Knights also have lineman James Collins (Oscar Smith) and defensive lineman Dedrion Bacote-Sweat (Ocean Lakes).
Thursday, Dec. 26 Independence Bowl
Miami vs. Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m., ESPN
Miami senior Trevon Hill (Salem) has 27 tackles this season, 9½ for loss. He also has 4½ sacks and five quarterback hurries, but has said he’s skipping the bowl to prepare for the NFL draft.
Quick Lane Bowl
Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan, 8 p.m., ESPN
Pittsburgh redshirt junior defensive lineman Patrick Jones II (Grassfield) has 43 tackles this season and is second on the team in sacks with 8½. He also has 18 quarterback hurries. Redshirt junior linebacker Chase Pine (Lafayette) has 18 tackles, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
Friday, Dec. 27
Military Bowl
North Carolina vs. Temple, noon, ESPN
North Carolina wide receiver Dazz Newsome (Hampton) has 64 receptions for 947 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Defensive back Cam’Ron Kelly (Oscar Smith) was having a good freshman season until a knee injury ended it after just five games. Temple defensive back Keyvone Bruton (Lake Taylor) has two tackles and one pass breakup. Dante Burke (Catholic) was on the team, but is in the transfer portal.
Pinstripe Bowl
Michigan State vs. Wake Forest, 3:20 p.m., ESPN
Michigan State defensive end Jack Camper (Virginia Beach) has played in seven games this season.
Texas Bowl
Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State, 6:45 p.m., ESPN
Texas A&M defensive lineman Adarious Jones (Catholic) has played in three games this season. Saturday, Dec. 28
Camping World Bowl
Notre Dame vs. Iowa State, noon, ABC
Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Bethel) is the third-leading tackler on the team with 79, including 9½ for loss.
Monday, Dec. 30
Orange Bowl
Virginia vs. Florida, 8 p.m., ESPN
Virginia defensive end Richard Burney (Hickory) has played in 13 games, with five starts. He has 20 tackles and four quarterback hurries. Defensive back Joseph White (Landstown) has played in eight games and true freshman Ben Smiley III (Indian River) has played in two games.
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Belk Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky, noon, ESPN
Virginia Tech has 15 athletes from Hampton Roads on its roster. Running back DeShawn McClease (Oscar Smith) leads the Hokies in rushing with 717 yards and six touchdowns. True freshman Tayvion Robinson (Cox) is third on the team in receptions (29) and yards (386). He also has 174 punt-return yards, 127 rushing yards and 64 kickoff-return yards. He also was named to the AllFreshman All-American team. Defensive back Armani Chatman (Catholic) has 21 tackles. Devon Hunter (Indian River) has 14 tackles and Jaevon Becton (Ocean Lakes) has 11 tackles. Other local players on the team include Phil Patterson (Bayside), Luke Bussel (Greenbrier Christian), Keshon Artis (Oscar Smith), Daniel Griffith (Nansemond-Suffolk), Jovonn Quillen (Hampton), John Ransom (Catholic), CJ Scott (Catholic), Nigel Simmons (Heritage), Hezekiah Grimsley (Lafayette) and Nashun Overton (Suffolk).
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Florida State vs. Arizona State, 2 p.m., CBS
Florida State running back Khalan Laborn (Catholic) is the Seminoles’ second-leading rusher with 297 yards and four touchdowns. Defensive back Levonta Taylor (Ocean Lakes) has 35 tackles and three pass breakups. Punter Tommy Martin (Hickory) is averaging 39 yards, with six that were 50 yards or longer, including a season-high 59-yarder. He also has 17 punts inside the 20. Liberty Bowl
Navy vs. Kansas State, 3:45 p.m., ESPN
Navy slotback Justin Smith (Ocean Lakes) has four carries for 36 yards. Dakare Coston (Ocean Lakes) has appeared in three games.