Hula Bowl 2026: Key Players Participating in the All-Star Event

The college football season is not over just yet, as more playoff games and bowl games are still yet to be played. However,  college all-star game season is just around the corner. While the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl take up a large amount of the headlines, there are some other great events in January that allow players to showcase their skills to pro scouts and coaches. One of those events is the 2026 Hula Bowl, which is set to take place over the course of a week in early January.

With the 2026 Hula Bowl being right around the corner, there is no better time to start getting prepped for the coming action. There are a large number of talented players at this event, and this article will serve as a primer to know some of the key ones to know. This group is not the end-all, be-all, but it is a great starting point if you are looking to follow along with the Hula Bowl!

Without further ado, let us dive into it!

Key Players for the 2026 Hula Bowl

Jacob Thomas, JMU

A three-year starter for James Madison, Jacob Thomas has the all-around ability to contribute in some capacity at the next level.

The 2025 campaign saw the safety record 40 tackles, 21 assists, and 22 defensive stops. He had a forced fumble, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. Thomas also had some production as a pass rusher, recording two sacks and 10 pressures.

Thomas has shown his ability to be a leader on the backend. He is constantly getting players into the right positions and diagnosing the offensive play calls. As a result, there are multiple occasions where Thomas jumps routes for interceptions or stops plays right in their tracks.

Additionally, Thomas has nice foot speed and movement ability. He can get vertical very well and showed repeated ability to change his hips in a fluid manner. Whether against a team like Louisville or Troy, the talent of Thomas pops off the screen.

It would be great to see Thomas put into more situations that test his overall ability, specifically as a man coverage player. But even with that being said, the JMU safety is in a great spot heading into the Hula Bowl.

Bernard Gooden, LSU

A USF transfer that stood out for LSU in 2025, Gooden is a very interesting player as he heads toward the professional level.

In 12 games played this season, the defensive tackle had 25 pressures and two sacks as a pass rusher. He also posted 13 defensive stops as a run defender. Gooden also succeeded in SEC play, posting multiple pressures against Texas A&M and Ole Miss.

Despite lacking prototypical size, Gooden is extremely explosive coming off the ball. He can win with speed, but also with hand usage and the occasional power moves. He struggles at times with run defense, but no matter the competition, Gooden has found a way to win as a pass rusher.

It’ll be interesting to see Gooden in 1-on-1s at the Hula Bowl and how he fares in run defense-based drills. He should have a floor as a potential DPR on the inside, but if Gooden shows an ability to compete as an overall defensive lineman, his stock should rise.

Chase Roberts, BYU

In all honesty, Chase Roberts could be one of the biggest risers not only at the Hula Bowl but also the entire 2026 NFL draft.

A four-year starter for BYU, all Roberts has done is produce at the college level. The wideout did not have a season with fewer than three touchdowns, while his freshman season was the only time he had fewer than 500 yards. Additionally, Roberts has been a contested catch savant. The BYU wideout’s 2024 season saw him snag 14 of 18 contested catch opportunities, while 2025 saw him secure eight of 17 opportunities.

The main thing that pops off the page for Roberts is his speed. No matter the route or play-call, the BYU standout makes good things happen down the field. Add in smooth route running, contested catch ability, and a willingness to block, and Roberts is a player who can provide an immediate impact.

Heading into the 2026 Hula Bowl, Roberts’s stock is on the rise. If he continues to compete and play at a high level, do not be surprised to see the BYU wideout at more than one all-star game.

Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers

In a quarterback class with a lot of questions, Rutgers‘ Athan Kaliakmanis is a player to keep an eye on over the course of the draft process.

Continuing his play from last year’s bowl game, the Rutgers signal caller posted 3,124 yards and 20 touchdowns with an ADOT of 11.2. He had 26 big-time throws, which increased from 15 the previous season. Even better than that, Kaliakmanis lowered his turnover-worthy plays from 19 to 11 in 2025. As a runner, the quarterback added 164 yards and four touchdowns.

People may scoff at his play, but it’s interesting how Kaliakmanis attacks defenses as a passer. With smooth mechanics and solid arm talent, the Rutgers quarterback scans defenses and rips throws all over the field. He has a great willingness to attack not only over the middle of the field, but deep down the field. Kaliakmanis had 1043 yards, seven touchdowns, and a PFF grade of 94.0 on passes of over 20 yards.

Derek Robertson, Monmouth

One of the better quarterbacks in the FCS, Monmouth’s Derek Robertson has the potential to be a riser in the draft process.

In seven games played this season, the quarterback threw for 2482 yards and 27 touchdowns on 192 completions. This comes after a 2024 season where he threw for 3937 yards and 31 touchdowns in 12 games.

Robertson, according to PFF, was deadly within Monmouth’s offensive scheme. He thrived deep down the field, notching 11 touchdowns and 15 big-time throws on passes of over 20 yards. As an intermediate passer, Robertson was extremely impressive over the middle of the field. The Monmouth quarterback had 390 yards and eight touchdowns on a 68.6-percent completion rate.

It’ll be interesting to see how the former Monmouth and Maine quarterback operates outside of a unique and fun offensive ecosystem. Robertson has plenty of traits and intangibles to succeed at a professional level, while also having the experience to understand what opposing defenses are throwing at him. The 2026 Hula Bowl is not going to make or break Robertson, but it will be a great event to see where he stands.

Camden Brown, Georgia Southern

A breakout star in 2025 for Georgia Southern, Camden Brown could be a big riser during the draft process.

On 66 receptions, the Auburn transfer had 1088 yards and 14 touchdowns, including a two-touchdown performance against USC. He has notched 21 of 30 contested catches, had 2.22 yards/route run, and an ADOT of 15.5.

Not only has Brown shown great contested catch ability, but his movement skills are great as well. He has a nice understanding of route-running, body control, and how to change his pace around the field. Brown knows how to stack defenders, put them into bad situations, and take advantage of them for big plays. Most impressively, he does it against all kinds of competition on the field.

Brown only has one year of massive production, but the foundation and talent of a productive professional wideout are all there.

Desmond Reid, Pitt

When it comes to Desmond Reid, the play is not the question, but rather the health.

If the all-around dynamo is on the field, he is making play after play after play. In a healthy 2024 campaign, Reid had 968 rushing yards, 580 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns. When on the field this year, Reid was still incredible. He specifically thrived against both Florida State and Notre Dame as an all-around player. However, he missed plenty of games for Pitt this season, which severely limited his numbers compared to previous seasons

The injury question is a big one for Reid going forward, especially considering his very small frame. However, Reid is the type of player  one is willing to bet on.

At the next level, Reid can be a lethal pass-catcher and producer in space, even if only in a limited role. He has produced again against anybody and everybody, and with a great Hula Bowl, Reid’s stock will be back on an upward trajectory.

Kalib Fortner, Army

He is far from a sure thing as a pro prospect, but Kalib Fortner is a player to keep an eye on as the draft process kicks off.

A three-year starter for the Black Knights, Fortner thrives as a run defender coming downhill. He has not had a season where he has finished with fewer than 25 defensive stops, with 2024’s mark of 41 being his career best. Fortner, along with at least 50 tackles in the past two seasons, has also produced as a pass rusher, notching 17 pressures in both 2024 and 2025.

Fortner has shown flashes of production in pass coverage, but has also struggled at times running with players. Despite this, Fortner’s ability to defend the run is excellent. He is a sleeper at linebacker who could provide a solid early down presence.