Ultimate guide to Midstate players in bowl games

So your favorite college football team didn't earn a bowl berth?

Do you enjoy cheering for the Vols and Blue Raiders, but are looking for a cheering interest in more than just two of the upcoming 41 bowl games?

We've got the perfect solution for you. There are 85 college football players with Midstate ties in bowl games this season, beginning with Saturday's Camellia Bowl and continuing through the New Year's games and the championship playoffs.

No, not the holiday season. It's college bowl season.

With 41 bowl games scheduled over the next four weeks, there are ample opportunities to cheer for athletes who were playing on the region's high school teams not that long ago. So read through our list and keep in near your television remote.

RAYCOM MEDIA CAMELLIA BOWL

Ohio (8-4) vs. Appalachian State (10-2), Dec. 19, 4:30 p.m., (ESPN)

Notables: No. 60 senior Jesse Chapman (Cookeville) ad freshman No. 63 Josh Filbey (Franklin) are Appalachian State offensive linemen.

College football bowl TV schedule, scores

CURE BOWL 

San Jose State (5-7) vs. Georgia State (6-6), Dec. 19, 6 p.m. (CBSSN)

Notable: Georgia State's No. 67 David Huey (Pearl-Cohn) is a redshirt senior nose guard who played in four games with four tackles.

MIAMI BEACH BOWL

South Florida (8-4) vs. Western Kentucky (11-2), Dec. 21, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Notables: Western Kentucky has five players from the Midstate — No. 32 freshman running back D’Andre Ferby (Ensworth), No. 68 freshman offensive lineman Parker Howell (CPA), No. 30 senior defensive back Prince Charles Iworah (Father Ryan); No. 16 freshman wide receiver Quin Jernigan (LaVergne) and No. 15 junior punter Joseph Occhipinti (Hillsboro). Ferby had 636 rushing yards and a team-high 11 rushing touchdowns.

POPEYES BAHAMAS BOWL

MTSU (7-5) vs. Western Michigan (7-5), Dec. 24, 11 a.m. (ESPN)

Notables: No. 12 redshirt freshman Brent Stockstill (Siegel) set numerous MTSU passing records en route to being named to the Conference USA all-freshman team. He's one of many players with Midstate ties:

• No. 25 junior safety William BeAird (Brentwood Academy)
• No. 6 senior cornerback Houston Brown (Brentwood)
• No. 5 senior running back Jeremiah Bryson (Smyrna)
• No. 44 freshman fullback Kyle Coombes (Wilson Central)
• No. 67 freshman kicker Joe Defatta (Franklin)
• No. 11 senior quarterback Nolan Genovese (CPA)
• No. 55 freshman offensive lineman Carlos Johnson (Pearl-Cohn)
• No. 18 sophomore cornerback Robert Kelley (Hillsboro)
• No. 10 sophomore safety Justin Lloyd (Ensworth)
• No. 32 junior running back I'Tavius Mathers (Blackman)
• No. 50 freshman offensive lineman Jesse Moffitt (Goodpasture)
• No. 58 sophomore offensive lineman Daniel Morris (Riverdale)
• No. 45 sophomore linebacker Charles Okoreeh-Baah (Hillsboro)
• No. 41 senior fullback Chase Pennycuff (Siegel)
• No. 49 junior defensive end Steven Rhodes (Antioch)
• No. 37 freshman wide receiver Patrick Smith (East Nashville)
• No. 9 freshman wide receiver Isiah Upton (East Nashville)

HYUNDAI SUN BOWL

Miami (8-4) vs. Washington State (8-4), Dec. 26, 1 p.m. (WTVF-5)

Notable: No. 29 junior defensive back/kick returner Corn Elder (Ensworth) of Miami gained fame for his game-ending touchdown return to beat Duke. It was one of two returns for scores he had this season. He also had 38 tackles, including two sacks.

ZAXBY'S HEART OF DALLAS BOWL

Washington (6-6) vs. Southern Mississippi (9-4), Dec. 26, 2:20 p.m. (ESPN)

Notable: No. 33 senior Matthew Moseley (Franklin/TSU) punted four times for a 31.5-yard average for Southern Miss.

NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL

Duke (7-5) vs. Indiana (6-6), Dec. 26, 2:30 p.m. (WKRN-2)

Notables: No. 67 Lucas Patrick (Brentwood) and No. 65 Cody Robinson (Warren Co.) are senior offensive linemen for the Blue Devils.

FOSTER FARMS BOWL

Nebraska (5-7) vs. UCLA (8-4), Dec. 26, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Notable: No. 68 Conor McDermott (Ensworth) is a junior offensive lineman for UCLA.

MILITARY BOWL

Navy (9-2) vs. Pittsburgh (8-4), Dec. 28, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Notables: While No. 19 senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds has gathered many national headlines for setting the all-time NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision touchdown record, there are other Midshipmen from the Midstate, too:

• No. 17 senior safety Kwazel Bertrand (Brentwood Academy)
• No. 8 freshman quarterback Cole Euverard (MBA)
• No. 52 junior defensive end Amos Mason (Brentwood Academy)
• No. 72 sophomore defensive end Jackson Mitchell (Lipscomb Academy)
• No. 50 freshman offensive guard Steve Satchell (Independence)
• No. 36 junior fullback Jalen Wade (Independence)
• No. 62 sophomore center Parker Wade (Ensworth)
• No. 69 freshman offensive lineman Andrew Wood (Friendship)

LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL

Air Force (8-5) vs. California (7-5), Dec. 29, 1 p.m. (ESPN)

Notables: No. 98 sophomore Luke Strebel (Father Ryan) of Air Force kicked 10 of 11 field goals, including a season-long 45 in a win at Boise State. He also made 33 of 33 extra points. No. 7 sophomore Vic Wharton III (Independence) redshirted this season with California after transferring from Tennessee.

ADVOCARE V100 TEXAS BOWL

Texas Tech (7-5) vs. LSU (8-3), Dec. 29, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Notable: No. 45 sophomore Josh Tharp (Houston Co.) is a tight end at LSU but did not catch a pass this season.

BIRMINGHAM BOWL

Auburn (6-6) vs. Memphis (8-3), Dec. 30, 11 a.m., ESPN

Notables: Neither freshman defensive back Eric Abernathy (Oakland)  nor freshman wide receiver Tyson Terrell (Brentwood Academy) have seen action this season for Memphis.

BELK BOWL

N.C. State (7-5) vs. Mississippi State (8-4), Dec. 30, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Notable: No. 36 freshman fullback Max Stoffer (Father Ryan) did not see action this season for N.C. State.

CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL

Florida State (10-2) vs. Houston (12-1), Dec. 31, 11 a.m. (ESPN)

Notable: No. 8 junior defensive back Jalen Ramsey (Brentwood Acad.) was named All-ACC for the second straight season at Florida State. He had 43 tackles, 10 pass breakups and 10 passes defended. If he declares for the NFL draft, he's a projected Top 10 pick. Also the reigning ACC long jump champion.

CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL

Oklahoma (11-1) vs. Clemson (13-0), Dec. 31, 3 p.m. (ESPN)

Notable: No. 42  sophomore Wesley Horky (Ravenwood) is the long snapper on punts for the Sooners.

GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC 

Alabama (12-1) vs. Michigan State (12-1), Dec. 31, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Notable: No. 86 senior tight end Truett Harris (Brentwood) is a reserve for the Crimson Tide.

OUTBACK BOWL

Tennessee (8-4) vs. Northwestern (10-2), Jan. 1, 11 a.m. (ESPN)

Notables: The Midstate's contributions to the Vols' success have been well documented. The locals include:

• No. 9 sophomore defensive end Derek Barnett (Brentwood Academy)
• No. 93 sophomore punter Trevor Daniel (Dickson County)
• No. 30 junior kicker Holden Foster (Dickson County)
• No. 7 sophomore defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (Independence)
• No. 1 sophomore running back Jalen Hurd (Beech)
• No. 15 freshman wide receiver Jauan Jennings (Blackman)
• No. 66 freshman offensive lineman Jack Jones (Oakland)
• No. 47 freshman linebacker Landon Knoll (Father Ryan)
• No. 24 freshman wide receiver Michael Lacey (MBA)
• No. 46 freshman long snapper Riley Lovingood (Beech)
• No. 3 sophomore wide receiver Josh Malone (Station Camp)
• No. 8 sophomore defensive back Justin Martin (Overton)
• No. 25 sophomore kicker Aaron Medley (Marshall County)
• No. 10 freshman wide receiver Vincent Perry (Hillsboro)
• No. 5 freshman defensive lineman Kyle Phillips (Hillsboro)
• No. 28 junior defensive back David Priddy (Hendersonville)
• No. 21 junior linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Northeast)
• No. 31 senior punter Nate Renfro (Brentwood Academy)
• No. 69 sophomore offensive lineman Jonathan Reynolds (Smyrna)
• No. 75 sophomore offensive lineman Jashon Robertson (MBA)
• No. 47 junior tight end Joe Stocstill (Cornersville)

BUFFALO WILD WINGS CITRUS BOWL

Michigan (9-3) vs. Florida (10-3), Jan. 1, noon (WKRN)

Notable: No. 62 senior Blake Bars (MBA) is an offensive lineman for the Wolverines.

FIESTA BOWL

Ohio State (11-1) vs. Notre Dame (10-2), Jan. 1, noon (ESPN)

Notables: No. 71 sophomore Alex Bars (MBA) is an offensive lineman who started two games for Notre Dame before getting injured. No. 9 freshman C.J. Sanders (Brentwood Academy) returned 23 kickoffs for a 25.2-yard average and 25 punts for a 7.3-yard average for the Irish. He had one kickoff return and one punt return for a touchdown.

ROSE BOWL

Iowa (12-1) vs. Stanford (11-2), Jan. 1, 4 p.m. (ESPN)

Notables: No. 16 junior C.J. Beathard (BGA) is the Hawkeyes' starting quarterback. He passed for 2,570 yards and 15 touchdowns and also rushed for 270 yards and six scores. No. 52 senior Graham Shuler (Brentwood Academy) is the starting center for the Cardinal.

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL

Ole Miss (9-3) vs. Oklahoma State (10-2), Jan. 1, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Notables: No. 84 junior tight end Hunter Thurley (CPA) played in all 12 games and caught two passes for Ole Miss. The Rebels also have several Midstate freshmen on their roster: No. 67 offensive lineman Alex Givens (Nashville Christian.), No. 12 wide receiver Van Jefferson (Ravenwood), No. 54  offfensive lineman Sam Johnson (CPA), No. 85 tight end Dawson Knox (Brentwood Academy), No. 28 offensive lineman Cameron Ordway (Giles Co.).

TAXSLAYER BOWL

Penn State (7-5) vs. Georgia (9-3), Jan. 2, 11 a.m. (ESPN)

Notables: No. 82 freshman wide receiver Tyler Shoop (Father Ryan) did not have a catch for the Nittany Lions. No. 88 freshman tight end Jackson Harris (Columbia) and No. 36 freshman defensive back Rico McGraw (Ensworth) got on the field for the Bulldogs.

VALERO ALAMO BOWL

TCU (10-2) vs. Oregon (9-3), Jan. 2, 5:45 p.m. (ESPN)

Notable: No. 14 freshman cornerback Ugo Amadi (Overton) had 25 tackles in 12 games.

Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.