The American Bowl Prospects Guide: Offense

The inaugural American Bowl kicks off this week with game time scheduled for Thursday night. Who are the under-the-radar prospects that could make noise during the process? There are several offensive prospects at this postseason all-star game projected throughout Day 3. Multiple prospects elevate themselves into a bigger all-star game every offseason, like the Senior Bowl or Shrine Game. The players in the American Bowl possess the opportunity this offseason. Who are the prospects on offense to keep an eye on in this American Bowl preview? Teams are split up into Guardians and Warhawks, led by coaches like Mike Smith and Brian Billick.

Quarterback

Guardians

Maverick McIvor | Western Kentucky

McIvor started his career at Texas Tech but later transferred to Abilene Christian to secure more playing time. He played three seasons at ACU, throwing for 8,212 yards and 63 touchdowns. The former Hilltoppers starter transferred to WKU for his final collegiate season in 2025, leading them to a 5-2 record before suffering a shoulder injury. The signal caller played tremendously at the FCS level, meriting a lower-level P4 starting gig. While he isn’t the most physically imposing quarterback, he does have some tools to work with. His experience in the Air Raid offense should make him appealing to those teams that like to throw the ball a lot. He’ll need to impress scouts to get drafted late on Day 3.

Tommy Castellanos | Boston College / Florida State

Castellanos is an intriguing prospect who played at Boston College for several seasons before ultimately ending up at Florida State in 2025. He declared for the draft after losing an appeal for another season. The former Seminoles passer dramatically exited BC after his 2024 benching. Castellanos is on the smaller side, but his athleticism translates. He’s a mobile passer but erratic at times. An off-brand Kyler Murray, if you will. Teams could ask him to change positions, as the quarterback position isn’t a successful NFL projection for him. The quarterback-run-heavy scheme doesn’t help his stock, either. Perhaps he receives a tryout at various rookie minicamps before trying his hand in the UFL or CFL.

Warhawks

DeQuan Finn | Miami (OH)

Finn transferred to Miami (OH) after a less-than-ideal 2024 season at Baylor, which saw drastically different results than his career at Toledo. His peak season was during the 2023 campaign, before his troubles in Waco, when he threw for 2,657 yards and 22 touchdowns. The dual-threat athlete recovered some of his fallen stock in 2025, becoming a better passer at that level rather than the higher stages of P4 football. He ran for 2,300 yards and 31 touchdowns in his career. Can he get past his time at Baylor and revitalize his stock in front of scouts in Orlando?

Running Back

Jamal Haynes | Georgia Tech (Guardians)

The Georgia Tech star converted to running back from receiver as a sophomore in 2023 and never looked back. After rushing for over 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns in two seasons, his production fell off a bit in 2025 because of quarterback Haynes King increasing his running game. Haynes is a dual-threat runner whose receiving skills pop considerably on the tape. The size is a concern, so teams may use him in a specialist role at the next level. He’s an explosive athlete who should test well during the process. In a loaded running back class, Haynes could be one of the more underrated rushers in it.

Wide Receiver

Guardians

Eric McAlister | TCU

McAlister was a bona fide number one receiver for the Horned Frogs in 2025. He started his career at Boise State before transferring to TCU in 2024. The 2025 season was his best, with 72 receptions for 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns, which is remarkable given the quarterback inconsistencies under Josh Hoover. He’s a bigger receiver who loves to bully smaller defensive backs and loves to play physical. McAlister possesses a lot of ball skills that will translate to the next level. If he can play a smidge faster during the process, he’ll shoot up draft boards come April.

Noah Short | Army

The do-it-all running back for the Black Knights is playing wide receiver this week. He’s a running back by trade in the Army’s triple option, but has also thrown the ball a couple of times. Short projects as an utility weapon that teams will unleash on unsuspecting defenses, leveraging his overall skill package. If he has a good week, he’ll be a late-Day 3 type that teams will love as a special-teams ace. Comparatively speaking, a Julian Edleman type who can do everything on the field.

Anthony Smith | ECU

Smith is a speedster who transferred to ECU to get better playing time, and his decision paid off in spades. He transferred to the Pirates in 2024, producing 799 yards and six touchdowns on 41 grabs. 2025 was his coming-out party in a big way, posting 64 receptions for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s a tall, lanky receiver with the speed to burn, so teams that need a deep threat will be interested. If he shows off an improved route tree, he’ll get drafted.

Warhawks

O’Mega Blake | Arkansas

After starting his career at South Carolina, Blake transferred to Charlotte for the 2024 season, where he initially got on the radar with 795 yards and nine touchdowns on 32 receptions. He then transferred to Arkansas, making a bigger impact with 58 receptions for 769 yards and five touchdowns. Blake presents an intriguing package of size and athleticism for a team that needs it. He has the build to be a true “X” receiver. If he performs well enough during the week, there’s a chance it gets him into the Day 3 discussion. The production is great, given the quarterback inconsistency and coaching change that the Razorbacks endured. He’s had flashes of potential throughout his career. Can he put it all together during the draft process?

DT Sheffield | Rutgers

Sheffield broke out during the 2024 season while with North Texas and subsequently transferred to Rutgers for the 2025 season. Perhaps the transfer was made hastily, as Rutgers did not do as well as UNT this past season. He profiles like a slot receiver physically and stylistically. Can he break out in Orlando and receive the call-up to a bigger All-Star Game?

Offensive Line

Guardians

Kobe Baynes | G | Kansas

Baynes graded out as one of the best in the country with an overall PFF score of 74.3. He’s an imposing road-grader type who could do well in a man-blocking system. The former Jayhawks lineman is one of the more physically impressive guard prospects in the glass. If he can prove a modicum of athleticism, sneaking into Day 2 could be on the horizon. One of the more impressive under-the-radar prospects currently in Orlando.

Connor Tollison | C | Missouri

Tollison started at center for the Tigers for significant portions of the past three seasons, so he’s battle-tested in the rigors of the SEC. He’s an athletic prospect but is slightly undersized for the position. Teams that run the Shanahan zone blocking systems will fall in love with him. He possesses the prerequisite athleticism to stick at center and could play some at guard. The former Mizzou center is a quick study, and his football IQ is immense. If he can prove that he’s still capable of moving around quickly with added weight, he could be a sneaky Day 3 selection that lasts a while in the league.

Warhawks

Nick Dawkins | C | Penn State

Dawkins could be the best pound-for-pound draft prospect at the American Bowl. The Nittany Lions’ center is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins. He possesses the size and athleticism to stick at center at the next level. His football IQ is excellent, and he uses it to quickly diagnose defenses. Penn State routinely produces great athletes, and Dawkins is just the latest in a long line of them. Penn State didn’t have the best season, but Dawkins projects well at the next level. With a good offseason process, he should climb the boards into an early to mid-Day 3 projection.

Thomas Rimac | G | Virginia Tech

Rimac transferred to Virginia Tech after spending the first four years of his career at West Virginia. While the team ultimately fired head coach Brent Pry (plot twist: he returned to James Franklin’s staff), Rimac proved he could play in the ACC. He’s a great athlete who should do well in one-on-one situations. Power is the name of his game to a certain degree. However, he does have trouble with quicker pass rushers, so the drills are very critical for him. The size component is another plus. He projects as a middle-to-late Day 3 swing guard/tackle prospect, depending on his measureables.

Tristian Leigh | T | Clemson

Leigh is a versatile athlete who has reps at both tackle spots and guard in his career. The former Tigers left tackle needs a big week to outrun some poor PFF grades. Leigh’s senior season graded poorly, scoring a paltry 49.6 overall offense score. If he can unlock something more within himself, the potential to be a Day 3 selection is there. Teams will love his versatility, and it will get him a look in the league.