Cactus Bowl (Division II)


The Cactus Bowl was a postseason college football all-star game played each January in Kingsville, Texas, which showcased the best NFL draft prospects of those collegiate players who had completed their eligibility in NCAA Division II. First played in 1994 at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota, as the Snow Bowl, the game moved to Javelina Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M University–Kingsville in 2001 as the Cactus Bowl. Proceeds went to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The game typically consisted of 88 total players; in all but the final year, teams were designated East and West, composed of players from those regions of the United States. The game gave NFL scouts a chance to view the relatively low profile Division II talent, prompting its slogan of "the best players you've never seen." The bowl's website said that more than 100 players of the game later signed with the NFL. The bowl lasted through 2011, after which it was merged with the USA College Football Bowl of NCAA Division III.

Winner

Overall records: West over East and Red Storm over Blue Devils

Most Valuable Players

Players in the NFL

Cactus Bowl players who later appeared in the NFL.
YearNameSchoolInitial NFL TeamRound-Overall
or Free Agent
2001Marc CerquaCarson–NewmanTampa Bay BuccaneersFA
2001Dondre GilliamMillersvilleSan Diego ChargersFA
2001Kendrick OfficeWest AlabamaBuffalo BillsFA
2001Dominic RhodesMidwestern StateIndianapolis ColtsFA
2001Ronald SmithLaneCincinnati BengalsFA
2001Josh StamerSouth DakotaBuffalo BillsFA
2001Ben SteeleMesa StateGreen Bay PackersFA
2001Colston WeatheringtonCentral MissouriDallas Cowboys7-207
2002James AtkinsVirginia UnionTennessee TitansFA
2002Keyon NashAlbany StateOakland Raiders6-189
2002Jared PeckNorth Dakota StateAtlanta FalconsFA
2002Erik TottenWestern WashingtonPittsburgh SteelersFA
2003Khalid AbdullahMars HillCincinnati Bengals5-136
2003Phillip BogleNew HavenSan Diego ChargersFA
2003Jacques CesaireSouthern ConnecticutSan Diego ChargersFA
2003Clarence ColemanFerris StateBuffalo BillsFA
2003Todd DevoeCentral MissouriDenver BroncosFA
2003Anthony DunnNorthern ColoradoTennessee TitansFA
2003Steve JosueCarson–NewmanGreen Bay Packers7-257
2003Ben NelsonSt. Cloud StateMinnesota VikingsFA
2003Ian SmartC. W. PostTampa Bay BuccaneersFA
2003Chaun ThompsonWest Texas A&MCleveland Browns2-052
2003Reggie WellsClarionArizona Cardinals6-177
2004Jordan BabineauxSouthern ArkansasSeattle SeahawksFA
2004Clarence GlymphCarson–NewmanAtlanta FalconsFA
2004Ryan KrauseNebraska-OmahaSan Diego Chargers6-169
2004Ruvell MartinSaginaw Valley StateGreen Bay PackersFA
2004Glenn MartinezSaginaw Valley StateDetroit LionsFA
2005Joe BergerMichigan TechCarolina Panthers6-207
2005Kris GriffinIndiana Kansas City ChiefsFA
2005Todd HerremansSaginaw Valley StatePhiladelphia Eagles4-126
2005Michael KoenenWestern WashingtonAtlanta FalconsFA
2005John KuhnShippensburgPittsburgh SteelersFA
2005Keyonta MarshallGrand Valley StatePhiladelphia Eagles7-247
2005LeRon McCoyIndiana Arizona Cardinals7-226
2005Evan OglesbyNorth AlabamaBaltimore RavensFA
2005Leonard WeaverCarson–NewmanSeattle SeahawksFA
2005Chris WilsonNorthwoodWashington RedskinsFA
2005Derrick WimbushFort Valley StateJacksonville JaguarsFA
2006Richard CollierValdosta StateJacksonville JaguarsFA
2006John DiGiorgioSaginaw Valley StateBuffalo BillsFA
2006Jahri EvansBloomsburgNew Orleans Saints4-108
2006Brent GrimesShippensburgAtlanta FalconsFA
2006Kenny OnatoluNebraska-OmahaMinnesota VikingsFA
2006Jamaica RectorNorthwest Missouri StateDallas CowboysFA
2006A. J. SchableSouth DakotaArizona CardinalsFA
2006Lee VickersNorth AlabamaBaltimore RavensFA
2006Delanie WalkerCentral MissouriSan Francisco 49ers6-175
2008Brandon CarrGrand Valley StateKansas City Chiefs5-140
2008Alex HallSt. Augustine'sCleveland Browns7-231
2008Maurice LeggettValdosta StateKansas City ChiefsFA
2009K. C. AsioduCentral OklahomaSt. Louis RamsFA
2009Charly MartinWest Texas A&MCarolina PanthersFA
2009Zach MillerNebraska-OmahaJacksonville Jaguars6-180
2009Keith NullWest Texas A&MSt. Louis Rams6-196
2009Dan SkutaGrand Valley StateCincinnati BengalsFA
2009Gregory TolerSt. Paul'sArizona Cardinals4-131
2010Jermelle CudjoCentral OklahomaSt. Louis RamsFA
2010Dominique CurryCalifornia St. Louis RamsFA
2010Jimmy Saddler-McQueenTexas A&M–KingsvilleDallas CowboysFA
2010Eugene SimsWest Texas A&MSt. Louis Rams6-189
2010J'Marcus WebbWest Texas A&MChicago Bears7-218