ORLANDO, Fla. - Offensive lineman Payton Collins and defensive back Mike Smith Jr. of Eastern Kentucky University's football team have both been selected to participate in the Hula Bowl as announced by event organizers on Thursday.
 
The Hula Bowl has been a premier college football all-star game since 1960, and is set to take place in Orlando, Fla. on January 11^th.
 
At the bowl, the pair of Colonels will have a chance to impress scouts from every organization in the NFL, UFL, and CFL. Former Hula Bowl participants legendary players such as Reggie White, Brandon Marshall, Drew Brees, Dan Marino, Deon Sanders, Tony Dorsett, Eric Dickerson, and more.
 
The last Colonel to participate in the Hula Bowl was defensive lineman TK McLendon Jr., who has been with the Tennessee Titans since signing as a rookie free agent after the 2023 NFL Draft.
 
Collins' selection after a stellar career at EKU, since 2019 the Columbus, Ohio native has started 54 games for the Colonels being a two-time captain, ASUN offensive lineman of the year, been a two-time All-American, and has been an Academic All-American.
 
On defense, Smith Jr. has been a top defender for EKU since transferring in from Appalachian State in 2022. Another team captain, he has appeared in 32 games with six interceptions, 143 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
 
The Hula Bowl will be the first step in the NFL Draft process for the pair of Colonels who look to follow in the footsteps of Josiah Ezirim who was drafted out of EKU last season by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round.
 
Before that though, the Colonels take on North Alabama for Senior Day this Saturday at 2 p.m. to conclude the 2024 regular season.