It’s been a couple of weeks since the end of college football season and fans are already a little restless. Once the final bowl games are played they busy themselves by studying up on the next recruiting class and watching Tivo’d games.

Diehard fanatics of the sport begin to wonder how they’ll cope with the layoff.

That’s why when North Greenville College hosts the South Carolina College All Star Bowl on Saturday, March 23, masses will descend to get their football fix.

The All Star Bowl gives players the opportunity to compete and showcase their talents in front of a huge local and regional audience while settling the debate of which part of South Carolina cultivates the best talent — the Upstate or the Lowcountry.

South Carolina puts more professionals into the NFL than just about every other state in the country. This game celebrates South Carolina athletes and gives the opportunity to establish an annual regional champion. This year the game will be available in over 4.5 million homes in the region. It is also benefiting Meals on Wheels which provides meals, companionship and supervision to thousands of South Carolina residents daily.

“It will be a traditional football game for the fans to enjoy but I can tell you that it will also be great chance for these players to get some looks just before the NFL draft.” said Commissioner Sam Wyche.

A Furman graduate, Wyche spent eight years in the NFL as a quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals before embarking on a long and legendary coaching career which included creating the No Huddle offense in 1980s.

Wyche is one of several football greats who will serve as mentors/coaches to the All Star teams.

Hall of Famer and South Carolina State legend Coach Willie Jeffries is coaching the Lowcountry team and 1981 National Champion and Clemson coaching legend coach Danny Ford will head up the Upstate team.

Other familiar faces who will serve as mentors include George Rogers — Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL Rookie of the Year and NFL Super Bowl Champion; Patrick Sapp — Former Clemson Linebacker and NFL Veteran; Woodrow Dantzler — Former Clemson QB and NFL Veteran.

Gamecock football voice and former USC quarterback Todd Ellis will announce the game alongside Will Merritt.

In addition to the gridiron legends who have signed on for the All Star game, fans will see some of the most elite players in college football go head to head.

Eligible players include all seniors that just finished playing football in one of the 12 collegiate football programs in South Carolina as well as those out of state college seniors that grew up playing football in South Carolina.

The bowl is a perfect opportunity for players to increase their stock just one month before the NFL Draft and also a chance to perform one last time in front of the fans who’ve supported them throughout the year.

For the fans, it offers one last football fix that will have to last throughout the dreaded off-season or at least until Spring practices.

Editors note: S.C. State offensive lineman and Union County product Sam Hammond is listed on the Player Watchlist.

For more information on the All Star Bowl visit www.sccollegeallstarbowl.com.