It's fitting that in a postseason all-star game called the Medal of Honor Bowl that two former members of the armed services and two players from service academies will participate.
Navy linebacker Paul Quessenberry and Air Force kicker Will Conant will be joined by Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez -- a Purple Heart recipient -- and Texas long-snapper Nate Boyer in Saturday's game in Charleston, S.C. (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network).
Boyer, who turned 34 Friday, is an inspirational story. He is a former Green Beret who, the Army Times reports, has had multiple war-zone deployments, including to Afghanistan each of the past two summers while a member of the Texas Army National Guard.
There are relatively few draftable prospects in the game. Still, NFL Media analyst Lance Zeirlein said every team will have had a representative in Charleston at some point this week.
A few of the more notable prospects are Louisville center Jake Smith, Texas A&M wide receiver Malcome Kennedy, Utah guard Junior Salt, Adams State (Colo.) cornerback Cariel Brooks and Auburn tight end C.J. Uzomah, whom Zeirlein says "might make a big move up the draft boards due to his size and athleticism."
Other players participating include Kansas State defensive end Ryan Mueller, Georgia Tech guard Shaq Mason, UCF tackle/guard Torrian Wilson, West Virginia defensive end Shaq Riddick and Arkansas offensive tackle Brey Cook.
Here are the rosters for the second-year game, which will be played at The Citadel's stadium. Among the players who participated last season were Liberty cornerback Walt Aikens (fourth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins) and Virginia center Luke Bowanko (sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars).
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
