DALLAS, Texas - Several alumni from the Northeast Mississippi Community College football program received an opportunity to compete during the holidays.

Six former Tigers guided their new teams to postseason contests around the country as part of the annual Bowl Season celebration.

Dorrian Smith is the first Northeast representative to take the field as Georgia Southern University meets Sam Houston State (Texas) University in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Thursday, December 19 at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Smith concluded his inaugural campaign with the Eagles with 22 total tackles. He had a season-high four tackles twice victories by the Eagles over James Madison (Va.) University and the University of Nevada.

The Fort Valley, Ga., native caught his first interception at the NCAA Division I level against Coastal Carolina (S.C.) University. He had a pair of picks during his two years in the Tigers' defensive backfield.

Smith added 42 takedowns, 10 pass break ups and 1.5 tackles for loss while at Northeast. He posted a career-best six stops in a triumph over Coahoma Community College as a sophomore.

The remainder of the Tigers' matchups will air live on ESPN. Triston Newson finishes his outstanding tenure at the University of Missouri against the University of Iowa at the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 30.

Newson has racked up 64 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, along with three quarterback hurries, one pass break up and a sack as a senior. He was also a starter last year during Missouri's win over Ohio State University in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

He is a two-time Southeastern Conference (SEC) Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Newson earned the award this season after registering 10 tackles and a forced fumble that was returned for the game-winning touchdown versus the University of Oklahoma.

The Independence product was a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I All-American at Northeast. He accumulated 163 tackles and nine takeaways over portions of three campaigns with the Tigers.

Another Northeast All-American linebacker in Keaton Thomas leads Baylor (Texas) University into the Kinder's Texas Bowl. The Bears take on Louisiana State University (LSU) at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31.

Thomas was well-decorated during his initial season at Baylor. He obtained first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors and was an honorable mention selection for Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

He has accounted for 107 tackles, which is the most in the regular season by any Bear in five years. Thomas made an immediate impact in his Baylor debut versus Tarleton State (Texas) University with a 35-yard pick-six.

The Jacksonville, Fla., native topped the entire NJCAA with an average of 11.9 stops per contest one season ago with the Tigers. Thomas also had a team-best nine tackles for loss, two interceptions and a blocked punt.

CJ Barney and Justin Kowalak did not see any game action this fall. However, their efforts on the practice field helped the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) claim nine wins and a spot in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Thursday, January 2.

Barney (Madison) shifted between an edge rusher and linebacker at Northeast. His career numbers included 118 takedowns, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, six pass break ups, three forced fumbles and an interception.

Kowalak (Crystal Lake, Ill.) compiled a 6-2 record as the Tigers' starting quarterback in 2023. He completed 53.4 percent of his passes for 1,252 yards with nine touchdowns overall.

Reginald Hughes led Jacksonville State (Ala.) University to its first-ever Conference USA championship along with a berth to the StaffDNA Cure Bowl. He has since entered the transfer portal and committed to the University of Colorado.

Hughes was a first-team all-conference recipient with 82 tackles and 29 quarterback pressures during his lone campaign with the Gamecocks. He originally signed with Ole Miss after departing Northeast.

The Tunica product had cumulative figures of 44 stops, eight tackles for loss, five sacks and three forced fumbles while with the Tigers. He had five or more tackles in five of his 11 appearances at Northeast.