Two Ohio State players have agreed to play in the Hula Bowl in January. The Hula Bowl, much like the Senior Bowl, is an invite-only showcase for college football players heading to the draft. It is located in Hawaii and has been around since 1960. With players starting to get invites to the bowls to improve draft stock, this now makes four confirmed Buckeyes heading to the two bowls.
Earlier we reported Tuf Borland and Trey Sermon heading to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. It is now been confirmed that Thayer Munford and Jonathon Cooper will be taking part in the Hula Bowl. Both players are trying to improve their draft stock and playing against other top college players will certainly help.
NEXT … Breaking down Munford
Thayer Munford
The Hula Bowl is excited to invite Thayer Munford @TMunford75 from Ohio State @OhioState to come and showcase his talent at the 2021 Hula Bowl in Hawaii!#hulabowl #hawaii @OhioStateFB @Buckeyes @CBSSports @HawaiiNewsNow pic.twitter.com/qLNXNWbZ2V
— Hula Bowl (@Hula_Bowl) December 1, 2020
Munford has been solid this year at offensive tackle for Ohio State. He has all the physical and athletic traits that will intrigue teams come draft time. Where Munford will have to show improvement is in technique, specifically hand usage and footwork. Munford can be a little late in his stance and thus is a little low with his hand placement. This causes him to have to play in recovery more often than he should. His ceiling is really high and the 2020 tape has shown improvement. The Hula Bowl will help a ton getting him into the middle rounds.
NEXT … Where Jonathon Cooper stands
Jonathon Cooper
The Hula Bowl is excited to invite Jonathon Cooper @JonathonCooper7 from Ohio State @OhioState to come and showcase his talent at the 2021 Hula Bowl in Hawaii!#hulabowl #hawaii #collegefootball #ohio @CBSSports @HawaiiNewsNow @OhioStateFB @OhioStateNews pic.twitter.com/XDGI1qjB6M
— Hula Bowl (@Hula_Bowl) December 1, 2020
Jonathon Cooper started a little slow this season at defensive end and it wasn’t until the Indiana game that Cooper really made his presence known. Cooper has a good inside step and does well if he can set up his swim move. He has struggled at times to set the edge and his bend around the corner is good, but not if the tackle can get a punch on him before he hits the corner. He will need to show better counters and functional strength on the edge at the Hula Bowl and the rest of 2020.
We will continue to update as players commit to the various bowls for the NFL Draft. Cooper and Munford will certainly not be the last two Buckeyes to sign on with a bowl. Both are looking to get into the last few rounds right now, with potential at the middle rounds with good showings.
