Eight Independence Bowl Alumni Selected in 2025 NFL Draft

Green Bay, WI – April 24, 2025 – Lambeau Field: Mark Murphy and Roger Goodell with Matthew Golden selected by the Green Bay Packers during the 2025 NFL Draft. (Photo by Al Powers / ESPN Images)

SHREVEPORT, La. (April 28, 2025) – The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl was highly represented throughout the weekend festivities, as eight Independence Bowl alumni were selected in the seven-round draft – including five players in the first three rounds.

The first Independence Bowl alumni came off the board in Thursday’s first round, as former Houston wide receiver Matthew Golden was selected No. 23 overall by the Green Bay Packers. Golden, who caught two passes for 17 yards in the 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl before finishing his college career at Texas, was the first former Independence Bowl player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since Gregory Rousseau in 2021.

On day two of the NFL Draft on Friday, Independence Bowl alumni heard their names four times. Former Louisiana cornerback Trey Amos was selected in the second round with the 61st overall pick by the Washington Commanders. Amos started for the Ragin’ Cajuns in the 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl before transferring to Alabama and then to Ole Miss. He was followed by three former Independence Bowl players in the third round – cornerback Nohl Williams, defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell and offensive lineman Caleb Rogers.

The draft concluded on Saturday with three Independence Bowl alumni being selected in rounds four through six. Safety Craig Woodson was selected in the fourth round; defensive back Mac McWilliams was selected in the fifth round; and running back Tahj Brooks was selected in the sixth round.

The full list of Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl alumni drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft is as follows:

• Matthew Golden (Houston, 2022 – finished college career at Texas) – 1st round (23rd overall) by the Packers
• Trey Amos (Louisiana, 2022 – finished career at Ole Miss) – 2nd round (61st overall) by the Commanders
• Nohl Williams (Cal, 2023) – 3rd round (85th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs
• Jamaree Caldwell (Houston, 2022 – finished career at Oregon) – 3rd round (86th overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers
• Caleb Rogers (Texas Tech, 2023) – 3rd round (98th overall) by the Las Vegas Raiders
• Craig Woodson (Cal, 2023) – 4th round (106th overall) by the New England Patriots
• Mac McWilliams (UAB, 2021 – finished career at UCF) – 5th round (145th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles
• Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech, 2023) – 6th round (193rd overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals

As of Monday, April 28, four other Independence Bowl alumni have signed as undrafted free agents with NFL teams – defensive lineman Xavier Carlton  (Cal, 2023) with the Chicago Bears, linebacker K.C. Ossai (Louisiana, 2022) with the Houston Texans, wide receiver Tru Edwards (Louisiana Tech, 2024) with the Los Angeles Rams and edge Tyler Batty (BYU, 2021) with the Minnesota Vikings. 

Five other Independence Bowl alumni have received minicamp invites from NFL organizations – offensive lineman Lucas Scott (Army, 2024) with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants, offensive lineman Cam’Ron Johnson (Houston, 2022) with the Cleveland Browns, long snapper Austin Riggs (BYU, 2021) with the Vikings, wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (Louisiana Tech, 2024) with the Giants and Lou Groza Award winning-kicker Kenneth Almendares (Louisiana, 2022) with the San Francisco 49ers.

Upcoming events – 14th Annual Youth Football Clinic

The 14th annual Independence Bowl Youth Football Clinic will hit the field on Saturday, June 7 from 8-11 a.m. at Independence Stadium. The annual clinic is free for boys and girls from ages 5-13 (incoming 8th graders). 

The clinic is a free, non-contact clinic that offers local boys and girls from ages five through incoming eighth graders an opportunity to learn from regional college football coaches. 

Parents are encouraged to register their children by Wednesday, June 4 and can do so at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/youth-football-clinic. Spots are limited to 400 participants, so pre-registering in advance is the best way to secure a place. Parents must complete a waiver for their child upon arrival on the day of the Youth Football Clinic. All participants will receive a free t-shirt and lunch following the clinic.

In 2024, campers got to learn from Centenary head coach Byron Dawson and coaches and staffers from LSU, Louisiana Tech, ULM, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State, Centenary and Southern University-Shreveport.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game. No. 22/19 (CFP/AP) Army West Point defeated Louisiana Tech, 27-6, in the 48th edition on Saturday, December 28, 2024. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through the 2025-26 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference, team and television agreements also run through the 2025-26 season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help 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.