College football bowl season: MVP picks for all 36 matchups
It’s one of the most exciting times of the year as the 2025 bowling season gets underway!
Our college football experts offer their MVP picks for each of the 36 bowl games this season at the end.
It will be an exciting three weeks of bowl games for college football fans.
MVP: WR Deondre Johnson
After transferring from Rutgers in the offseason, the 6-foot-8 redshirt sophomore slowly integrated himself into the Jacksonville State offense as the season progressed and was a key player by the end of the regular season. In the Gamecocks’ 17-13 win over Troy in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl, Johnson capped his strong second half of the season with another sparkling performance. He caught six passes for 101 yards and had another reception of over 40 yards nullified due to offensive pass interference. Assuming he stays at Jacksonville State, Johnson looks to be one of the best receivers outside of the Power 4 in college football next year. — Kyle Bonagura
MVP: Quarterback Demond Williams Jr.
Washington quarterback Williams capped a strong sophomore season with an MVP performance in the Bucked Up LA Bowl, guiding the Huskies to a 38-10 victory over Boise State. Williams completed 15 of 24 passes for 214 yards with 4 touchdowns. Three of those scores came in the second quarter as Washington took a 24-3 halftime lead. Williams had some bright moments throughout the season – but he was inconsistent – and once again showed the type of talent that could make the Huskies a serious contender in the Big Ten next season. — Bonagura
MVP: WR Jordan Smith
Smith turned in one of the great performances of the Celebration Bowl to help South Carolina State overcome a 21-0 halftime deficit and beat Prairie View A&M 40-38 in quadruple overtime. Smith finished with nine receptions for 152 yards and two scores to go along with five carries for 28 yards and another touchdown. His 10-yard touchdown run with two minutes left in regulation forced overtime as part of the Bulldogs’ 35-point second half. — Bonagura
