Independence Bowl Alumni Shine at 2025 NFL Combine

SHREVEPORT, La. (March 4, 2025) – The 2025 NFL Combine – the premier scouting event leading into the NFL Draft – was this past week, February 27 through March 2, and nine former Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl players showcased their talent in Indianapolis. 

The nine Independence Bowl alumni who participated in the Combine represent six Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl teams and three matchups. The nine participants were edge Tyler Batty (BYU, 2021), cornerback Mac McWilliams (UAB, 2021 – finished his career at UCF), cornerback Trey Amos (Louisiana, 2022 – finished at Ole Miss), defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell (Houston, 2022 – finished at Oregon), wide receiver Matthew Golden (Houston, 2022 – finished at Texas), running back Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech, 2023), offensive lineman Caleb Rogers (Texas Tech, 2023), cornerback Nohl Williams (California, 2023) and safety Craig Woodson (Cal, 2023).

Golden posted the most eye-popping numbers of the nine players – running a 4.29-second 40-yard dash. That ranked him second overall at the NFL Combine and first amongst the wide receiver group. McWilliams (4.41 seconds) and Amos (4.43 seconds) ranked ninth and tenth, respectively, amongst cornerbacks in the 40-yard dash, while Woodson ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash – ranking fifth amongst safeties.

Rogers impressed among the offensive line group – ranking fourth in the vertical jump, sixth in the broad jump, second in the three-cone drill and first in the 20-yard shuttle. Fellow Red Raider Brooks led the running back group with a 4.06-second 20-yard shuttle.

A few Independence Bowl alumni showed off their strength in the bench press. Cal’s Williams was second amongst cornerbacks with 19 repetitions on the bench press, while BYU’s Batty put up 27 repetitions – finishing fifth amongst defensive ends and 10th overall.

These nine players and others will find out what their professional football future holds during the 2025 NFL Draft from April 24-26.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game. No. 22/19 (CFP/AP) Army West Point defeated Louisiana Tech, 27-6, in the 48th edition on Saturday, December 28, 2024. Huntsville, Ala.-based Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through the 2025 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference, team and television agreements also run through the 2025 season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.