LOS ANGELES – While playing his senior season last fall for the Northwestern State football team, Obinna Iheoma always had the attention of opposing quarterbacks and often, NFL scouts.

Saturday afternoon, he'll wrap up a week of showcasing his talents to NFL personnel when he lines up in the historic Rose Bowl Stadium for the 8^th Annual NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl all-star game, televised by FS1.

The 2 p.m. PST (4 o'clock CST) contest will pit teams led by former NFL head coaches Mike Tice and Chuck Pagano.

Iheoma played the Demons' "buck" end position, which blends roles of a defensive end and outside linebacker. He had 8.5 tackles for loss, including eight sacks for 53 negative yards, among his 33 tackles in 2018. He also added eight quarterback hurries. That stat and his sack total led NSU.

He made his Demon debut in 2017 with eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss among 35 tackles.

Iheoma (6-2, 245), a native of South Grand Prairie, Texas, played his first two years of college football at Tyler Junior College. He started all 22 games he played at NSU.

"Since I stepped foot on campus, Northwestern State University felt like home," he said in an interview with NFLPA Collegiate Bowl media. "My development on and off the field has been behind the tremendous support of my teachers, coaches and teammates. I'm looking forward to representing NSU during this game. L.A. will have to handle a piece of the Purple Swarm (defense) for a few more snaps."

Iheoma becomes the third Demon to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Quarterback Stephen Rivers took part in the 2016 edition and tight end Corey Simmons played in the game after the 2014 season.

Three Southland Conference competitors are taking part. Joining Iheoma are Nicholls receiver Damion Jeanpierre and Silas Stewart, a linebacker for Incarnate Word.

More than 200 NFL player personnel staff, including general managers and head coaches, observed the 2018 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl activities. Nineteen players were drafted and 30 participants made opening day NFL rosters for 2018.

Iheoma and the rest of NSU's senior class will have their Pro Day at NSU on March 20.