As the NFL Draft approaches, collegiate all-star games like the Hula Bowl play a pivotal role in shaping professional football careers — not only for players, but for the agents, scouts, and media professionals evaluating them.

This year, Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) was represented at the Hula Bowl by Nick Prater, SMWW Business Operations Coordinator and Agency Director of Operations, and Ric Serritella, SMWW Faculty member and founder of All Access Football. Their presence underscored SMWW’s hands-on approach to football education and professional development.

Why the Hula Bowl Matters in the NFL Draft Landscape

The Hula Bowl serves as a vital evaluation platform for draft-eligible players and under-the-radar prospects. With NFL scouts, agents, and media members in attendance, the event provides meaningful opportunities for talent to elevate their draft stock through practices, meetings, and game performance.

For industry professionals, the Hula Bowl offers:

• Live exposure to player evaluations in a professional environment

• Insight into how prospects are assessed beyond game film

• Access to decision-makers across football operations and media

These elements make the Hula Bowl an essential stop on the pre-draft circuit.

A Learning Environment for Future Agents, Scouts, and Media Professionals

For individuals aspiring to work as sports agents, understanding the all-star game ecosystem is critical. These events often mark the first point where representation decisions, contract strategy, and brand positioning begin to take shape.

From a scouting perspective, all-star games allow evaluators to:

• Compare talent against elevated competition

• Analyze practice habits, coachability, and football IQ

• Conduct face-to-face evaluations that film alone cannot provide

For those pursuing careers in football media, the Hula Bowl offers a real-time laboratory to learn how narratives form, how draft conversations evolve, and how professional coverage is shaped ahead of the NFL Draft.

SMWW’s Commitment to Real-World Football Education

Nick Prater and Ric Serritella’s attendance at the Hula Bowl reflects SMWW’s commitment to experiential learning. By actively participating in key football events, SMWW faculty and staff bring current, real-world insight directly back to students preparing for careers in the sports industry.

This firsthand exposure ensures that SMWW education remains aligned with how the football business truly operates — not just in theory, but in practice.

Preparing for a Career in Football Starts Here

Collegiate all-star games like the Hula Bowl are more than showcases — they are career accelerators for players and industry professionals alike. For those seeking to become agents, scouts, or football media contributors, understanding these environments is essential to long-term success.

Through on-site engagement and professional evaluation, SMWW continues to provide its students with access to the moments that matter most in the journey to the NFL.