5 NFL Draft Prospects Chiefs Fans Should Know at the Hula Bowl
The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for the NFL Draft, and the Hula Bowl in Daytona Beach, Florida, is the perfect opportunity for draft-eligible players to make their mark. This year, I had the chance to observe the practices leading up to the game, which will air on CBS Sports Network at 11:00 a.m. Arrowhead Time. While players were off-limits for media interviews, the practices offered valuable insights.
Here are five players Chiefs fans should keep an eye on at the Hula Bowl:
- DB Duce Chestnut - Syracuse
The Chiefs met with Syracuse defensive back Duce Chestnut, who was named a captain of the Aina Team, coached by former Washington Commanders head coach Jay Gruden. Chestnut's versatility is impressive, especially in the defensive scheme of coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He finished his redshirt senior season with 48 tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble. Over five seasons, he accumulated 10 tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions, and 17 passes defended.
- TE Hudson Habermehl - UCLA
Among the tight ends, UCLA's Hudson Habermehl stood out. Listed at 6-feet-7, he dominated with his size and movement ability. Habermehl burst out of his stance efficiently, moved smoothly through his breaks, and transitioned naturally into yards after the catch. Despite a serious injury in 2024, he finished the 2025 season with 20 receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns in the previous season.
- DE Dasan McCullough - Nebraska
Dasan McCullough, whose father Deland McCullough is the Chiefs' former running backs coach, is a standout. McCullough emerged as a star at Blue Valley North High School and later transferred to Indiana, becoming the highest-ranked prospect in program history. He earned freshman All-American and honorable mention All-Big 10 recognition at Indiana, posting four sacks and three passes defended. McCullough then transferred to Oklahoma, playing more off-ball linebacker, and finished his career at Nebraska as an edge rusher with two sacks.
- LB Jordan Crook - Arizona State
Jordan Crook consistently stood out for his fast mental processing at linebacker. As the middle linebacker for Team Aina, he diagnosed plays ahead of his teammates. Crook, listed at 5-feet-11 and 220 pounds, is undersized but compensates with decisiveness and instincts. His quick reads consistently put him in position to defeat run blocks or close passing windows.
- RB Kevon King - Norfolk State
In a less explosive running back group, Kevon King stood out with his acceleration. King, at 5-feet-11 and 200 pounds, has a sturdy build, but it's his speed that makes him an intriguing small-school prospect. While he may be relatively unknown, his explosiveness is a key asset for the 2026 NFL Draft.
