The 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl concluded recently and helped kick off the All-Star game season. Players from all over the country and all levels of college merged in Hawaii to showcase their talents and catch the eyes of scouts. There are some players who really stood out on the defensive side of the ball that you should be taking notes on.  Let's look at the five defensive players that stood out the most.

Scott Matlock, DT, Boise State

Let's get started with one of the game's best defensive standouts. Scott Madlock from Boise State helped lead the American Team to a 19-17 win. Matlock was a big part in helping hold the National Team to just 202 total yards. He shut off running lanes and kept constant pressure on the QB all game. Matlock made a number of standout plays which included a split of a double team for a TFL in the opponent's own red zone in the 1st quarter. He would also have a nice display of his power with a press and shed move, then the burst and quickness to get the sack. Just a couple of the numerous plays he made. Matlock finished the game with three tackles, two solos, one TFL, and one sack. I look for his name to be called on day two likely in the third round.

Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan

While the National Team may have come up a bit short in grabbing a victory, it wasn’t from the lack of effort by LB Zaire Barnes from Western Michigan. He led the team with six total tackles, with five of those being solo stops. He showcased nice athleticism and range all week during practice and then again during the game. In coverage, Barnes had a very solid day with a huge play in the fourth quarter, where he showed awareness and again his athleticism. He would grab an interception off of a tipped pass and return it 26 yards to set up a go-ahead TD. Barnes finished with six tackles, five solos, one INT, and one PBU. A great week for the MAC linebacker and definitely made an impression on scouts. Barnes likely projects as a day-three selection who has starter qualities.

Thomas Rush, OLB, Minnesota

As we continue with the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl IDP standouts, one player that caught my eye was OLB Thomas Rush from Minnesota. He only had 1½ sacks (8½ career) this season for the Gophers but was used specifically as a pass rusher in this game and recorded two sacks. Rush showed good pass-rush traits throughout the game, including burst, speed, and bend. He stood out right away from the start as he showed good hustle and pursuit for a sack, that was nearly a safety. Later in the game, Rush made a terrific read firing thru the gap to stop a run for a TFL. Maybe his best rep came late in the game when he utilized a textbook push/pull move, then the burst, bend, & speed for a blindside sack. Rush finished with three tackles, two solos, one TFl, and two sacks. He will likely be a late-round flyer for a team looking for pass-rush potential.

Krishon Merriweather, LB, Texas Tech

Surprisingly with all the defensive big plays by the National Team, they weren’t able to secure victory. One player for them that flashed multiple times was LB Krishon Merriweather from Texas Tech. He was a part of three combo plays for the defense on the day. The first is a play where he cleaned up a backfield disruption by a teammate for a TFL. For the next one, he would show a nose for the ball as he recovered a fumble and returned 15 yards to set up a score. For the third one, he caused a fumble that was recovered by a teammate. Merriweather one of the nation’s leading tacklers this season finished the game with a box score of four tackles, three solos, one TFL, one forced fumble, and one recovery. He will be an early day three selection that could sneak into the back of day two.

Ayinde Eley, LB, GA Tech

As I wrap up the standout IDPs of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, I have to mention GA Tech linebacker, Ayinde Eley. He had quite the game for the American Team in their victory. Eley recorded a total of four tackles, three being solos, and two TFLs, with a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. He made a terrific read-and-go play for a TFL. Eley had one hell of a series in the 3rd quarter where made another TFL, but this time it was in the opponent's own red zone, and then just a couple of plays later he scored a TD off of a scoop and score from a forced fumble by a teammate. He had enough splash plays to catch the eyes of scouts, which will have them go back and take a closer look at his game overall.

Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy