Pair of South Carolina seniors accept all-star showcase invitation
Torricelli Simpkins and O’Donnell Fortune might be out of college eligibility, but they aren’t done repping the Gamecocks. The South Carolina seniors are NFL Draft hopefuls and will get the chance to showcase their talents in front of professional scouts, coaches, and decision-makers one more time before the pre-draft craziness begins. Both Simpkins and Fortune have accepted invitations to participate in the Hula Bowl. The Hula Bowl announced the news on social media.
For those unfamiliar, the Hula Bowl has served as a post-collegiate all-star showcase since the 1940s. Previously played in Hawaii, South Carolina fans can watch Simpkins and Fortune this year in Orlando on January 11th. CBS will broadcast the game at Noon.
Fellow NFL Draft-hopeful Gamecocks Josh Simon (tight end), DeAndre Jules (defensive tackle), and Gage Larvadain (wide receiver) previously announced intentions to play in this year’s Hula Bowl. Several other Gamecocks will play in the Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine Bowl, as well.
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During their time in garnet and black, both Simpkins and Fortune made a big impact.
Simpkins’ South Carolina football career was just one season. A former FCS All-American at North Carolina Central, the big offensive lineman earned All-SEC honors in 2024. He has experience at tackle, guard, and center but played primarily as a center at NCCU and guard at USC. Some NFL Draft outlets have given him late-round grades ahead of April’s draft.
For Fortune, being a Gamecock is all he’s known. Following his high school career as a Sumter Gamecock, he became a South Carolina Gamecock in the class of 2020. Fortune was a reserve for several years before becoming a full-time starter in 2023. He earned an All-SEC spot at cornerback according to College Football Network as a senior. Most NFL Draft analysts have Fortune coming off the board sometime on day three of the draft.
