50th Anniversary All-Time Team Players 31 through 35 Released

Auburn quarterback Dameuyune Craig (50th Anniversary All-Time Team player No. 34) evades a tackler in the 1996 Independence Bowl against Army West Point (Photo: Independence Bowl archives).

SHREVEPORT, La. (July 16, 2026) – As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Shreveport’s annual bowl game, the countdown of the top 50 players in Independence Bowl history continues with the reveal of players 35 through 31.

This group of five players is headlined by two former Air Force stars and College Football Hall of Famers alongside three Southeastern Conference (SEC) players. Numbers 35 through 31 on the Independence Bowl’s All-Time Team include:

No. 35 – Geno Atkins (DT – Georgia, 2009)

Atkins was one of the many great players in the 2009 Independence Bowl between Georgia and Texas A&M, turning in a strong performance with three total tackles, one sack, one tackle-for-loss (TFL), and one field goal block – earning the 2009 Defensive Player of the Game Award. Atkins was a disruptive force throughout his college career – collecting 33.5 TFL and 11 sacks. He was named 2007 First-Team All-SEC in his sophomore season after compiling 15 TFL and 7.5 sacks. He also earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2009, when he recorded 10.5 TFL and three sacks. After being drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Atkins earned his household name at the pinnacle of professional football. Playing all 11 seasons of his NFL career for the Cincinnati Bengals, he earned First-Team All-Pro honors five times and made the Pro Bowl seven times – racking up 75.5 sacks and 100 TFL in his career. One of the best defensive players of his era, Atkins was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

No. 34 – Dameuyune Craig (QB – Auburn, 1996)

One of the most electric performances in Independence Bowl history came from Craig in 1996 against Army West Point. Craig completed 24 of 40 passes for 372 yards, two touchdowns (TDs) and one interception. He also rushed the ball 13 times for 75 yards and one touchdown (TD). The performance earned him the 1996 Offensive Player of the Game award, and he still finds his name littered throughout the Independence Bowl record book to this day. His 372 passing yards are the fourth-most passing yards in a game, and he still holds the record for individual total offense with 447 yards. Craig’s best collegiate season came in 1997 when he was named second-team All-SEC. He also impressed on the brightest stages throughout his college career. In addition to being named the 1996 Independence Bowl Offensive Player of the Game, he was named the 1998 Peach Bowl MVP and the 1998 Senior Bowl MVP.

No. 33 – Chad Hennings (DT – Air Force, 1984)

Hennings, one of the 29 College Football Hall of Famers to play or coach in the Independence Bowl, played for Air Force in their second Independence Bowl appearance in consecutive years. Defensive statistics were not kept for the 1984 game, but Hennings helped lead an Air Force defense that limited Virginia Tech to just one touchdown in a 23-7 victory. At Air Force, he was a two-time First-Team All-WAC honoree in 1986 and 1987, but he really shined in 1987, as he was named the Outland Trophy winner, WAC Defensive Player of the Year, UPI Lineman of the Year and a unanimous All-American. Hennings was not drafted until the 11th round of the 1988 NFL Draft due to his military commitment, and after leaving the United States Air Force, he joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. Hennings was a member and leader of the Cowboys’ defense that won three Super Bowls (XXVII, XXVIII and XXX) under College and Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Jimmy Johnson, who coached Oklahoma State in the 1981 Independence Bowl. 

No. 32 – Scott Thomas (S – Air Force, 1983 & 1984)

Another former Air Force player and College Football Hall of Famer, Thomas starred in both the 1983 and 1984 Independence Bowls. Thomas led the Air Force defenses that allowed 10 total points in back-to-back trips to Shreveport – three points against Ole Miss in 1983 and seven against Virginia Tech in 1984. He was named the 1984 Independence Bowl Defensive Player of the Game – capping off a great 1984 season in which he collected 125 total tackles, four interceptions and two TFL. Thomas was the captain of the 1985 Air Force team and had his best collegiate season, earning consensus All-American honors. He finished off his senior season by being named the MVP of the 1985 Bluebonnet Bowl. Following his graduation and football career at Air Force, Thomas flew F-16 combat missions during Desert Storm and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

No. 31 – Willie Blade (DT – Mississippi State, 2000)

Blade created possibly the most memorable play in Independence Bowl history, blocking the Texas A&M extra-point attempt in overtime of the 2000 Snow Bowl. Julius Griffith returned the blocked extra point for two points, and those points turned out to be the difference in the most-memorable game in the bowl’s history, which also happened to be the 25th anniversary game. In addition to that unforgettable play, Blade tallied eight solo tackles, 16 total tackles and four TFL on his way to being named the 2000 Defensive Player of the Game. His four TFL are tied for the second-most TFL in a game in Independence Bowl history. That season, his senior year, Blade was named second-team All-SEC and was an Outland Trophy semifinalist. He was drafted in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft and spent parts of five seasons in the NFL.

The next five (Nos. 26 through 30) will be announced on July 20. 

Previously Announced Members of the All-Time Team

The first 15 players on the Independence Bowl’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, as previously announced, include:

No. 36 – Rondell Mealey (RB – LSU, 1997), No. 37 – Rolando McClain (LB – Alabama, 2007), No. 38 – Weldon Brown (CB – Louisiana Tech, 2008), No. 39 – Andre Smith (OT – Alabama, 2006 & 2007), No. 40 – Tiki Barber (RB – Virginia, 1994), No. 41 – Puka Nacua (WR – BYU, 2021), No. 42 – Gary Kubiak (QB – Texas A&M, 1981), No. 43 – Seneca Wallace (QB – Iowa State, 2001), No. 44 – Todd McClure (C – LSU, 1995 & 1997), No. 45 – Gary Anderson (K – Syracuse, 1979), No. 46 – Booger McFarland (LB – LSU, 1995 & 1997), No. 47 – Tremaine Edmunds (LB – Virginia Tech, 2015), No. 48 – Bill Musgrave (QB – Oregon, 1989), No. 49 – Larry Anderson (DB – Louisiana Tech, 1977) and No. 50 – Lorenza Baker (LB – Louisiana Tech, 1990).

Selection & Ranking Criteria and Committee

The list of the top 50 all-time players was compiled by an experienced and diverse committee that included local media members and Independence Bowl representatives. Players were nominated and evaluated based on the following criteria:

• 40 percent weight based on their Independence Bowl performance(s)
• 30 percent based on their college career and accolades
• 30 percent based on their pro career and accomplishments

To read more about the nomination and selection process, release schedule and selection and ranking committee, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/news.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary game set for Tuesday, December 22, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is a prominent presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.