Two Kentucky Wildcats have been selected to participate in the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Senior offensive lineman Tashawn Manning and defensive back Keidron Smith will showcase their talents at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on January 28th. The game will be televised on the NFL Network, kicking off at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
Manning, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound native of Apopka, Florida, will suit up for the American team. He played in 30 career games with 14 starts in five seasons at Auburn before transferring to Kentucky for the 2022 season. He immediately made an impact on Kentucky’s offensive line, starting in 12 games at right guard on the “Big Blue Wall.” Manning graduated from Auburn in December 2020 with an interdisciplinary studies degree emphasizing business, leadership, and sports coaching.
Smith, a 6-2, 204-pound defensive back from West Palm Beach, Florida, will participate on the National team. He transferred to Kentucky in 2022 after four seasons at Ole Miss, and made a noticeable impact on the Wildcats’ defense. In his one season at Kentucky, he started in 12 of 13 games, was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference by the league coaches and Pro Football Focus, and totaled 46 tackles, five pass breakups, a team-high-tying two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a tackle for loss. For Ole Miss, Smith appeared in every game during his career, totaling 269 career tackles, 26 pass breakups, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 60 career games. He had at least one interception in each of his five collegiate seasons and finished with 46 or more tackles in each of his five seasons. Smith earned a degree in finance from Ole Miss in May 2022.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, founded in 2012, gives prospective players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. Nearly 200 scouts, player personnel staff, general managers, and head coaches from all 32 NFL teams are expected to be in attendance to watch live practices, conduct player interviews, and review tape. This year’s game will be led by former Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher for the American team and legendary Titans running back and current Tennessee State University head coach Eddie George for the National team.
