Nine Players to Watch for at 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

SHREVEPORT, La. (Feb. 29, 2024) – The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, the premier scouting event in the NFL Draft process, gets underway today, February 29, and the list of the top prospects invited to the Combine includes nine former Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl players.

321 players from all divisions of college football were invited to the combine, and nine of those players have played in Shreveport’s annual bowl game over the past three years.

The nine players invited to the combine represent the six most recent Independence Bowl teams – Texas Tech, California, Houston, Louisiana, UAB and BYU – and the last three matchups. Texas Tech has three players, Houston has two representatives, and the other teams have one apiece.

Below is the list of Independence Bowl alumni to watch for at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine this weekend:

• Austin McNamara (Punter – Texas Tech, 2023)
• Tyler Owens (Defensive Back – Texas Tech, 2023)
• Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Defensive Back – Texas Tech, 2023)
• Patrick McMorris (Defensive Back – Cal, 2023)
• Nelson Ceasar (Edge Rusher – Houston, 2022)
• Patrick Paul (Offensive Tackle – Houston, 2022)
• Nathan Thomas (Offensive Lineman – Louisiana, 2022)
• Jaylen Key (Defensive Back – UAB, 2021) *Transferred from UAB to Alabama
• Ryan Rehkow (Punter – BYU, 2021)

Players will have the chance to impress NFL scouts and executives this weekend in Indianapolis, Ind. ahead of pro days and the 2024 NFL Draft, which gets underway on Thursday, April 25. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most-historic bowl game and celebrated its 47th edition on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the California Golden Bears, 34-14. The Independence Bowl Foundation announced a one-year extension with Radiance Technologies – ensuring they will be the title sponsor through 2025. The bowl’s conference, team, and television agreements also run through the 2025 season. Army West Point is slated to match up against the Pac-12 Conference in 2024, and the Big 12 Conference is lined up to face Conference USA in 2025.

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.