PROVO, Utah -The Reese’s Senior Bowl is one of the nation’s premier college football all-star games. But more importantly, it is a critical component of the NFL Draft process.

On August 20th, the Reese’s Senior Bowl released its Top 250 senior prospects entering the 2020 college football season. A pair of BYU football players made the list.

The two upcoming senior standouts were tight end Matt Bushman and offensive guard Tristen Hoge. This recognition doesn’t guarantee that both will be participants in the Senior Bowl game in Mobile, Alabama this January. But it indicates they will be on NFL radars throughout the season. Especially with very few collegiate teams playing this fall.

It’s official! The @Reeses Senior Bowl Top 250
Tight Ends / FBs #SmashMouth#BestOfTheBest#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/XeyKjXYGjz

— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) August 20, 2020

In the past two years, the Senior Bowl has produced 93 players who were selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. So for Bushman and Hoge to be on the radar for a significant All-Star event, it’s noteworthy and speaks to their talent.

Bushman and Hoge make Senior Bowl Top 250

According to Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy, the Senior Bowl scouting department evaluated 900-plus players from all levels. The film evaluated was from the 2018 and 2019 seasons according to Nagy.

Congratulations to all the prospects on 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl Top 250. Our constant and fluid process began in February with staff watching tape on all returning FBS starters & role players. In total, our scouts graded 900+ players at all levels based off ‘18 and ‘19 tape.

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) August 20, 2020

Bushman has proven to be one of the nation’s top tight ends over the past three years. In each of his three years at BYU, Bushman has led the Cougars in receiving yards. Last season Bushman hauled in 47 catches for 688 yards and four touchdown grabs.

Last week, during BYU fall camp practices, Passing Game Coordinator Aaron Roderick said Bushman continues to get better in his game saying he “might be the most improved player on the team.”

It’s official! The @Reeses Senior Bowl Top 250
O-Line Guards / Centers #PancakeSZN#BestOfTheBest#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/zk8434eqx7

— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) August 20, 2020

Tristen Hoge, a former four-star recruit, who transferred from Notre Dame in 2017, played in only the first five games last season due to a season-ending injury. Prior to that, Hoge had been a starter along BYU’s offensive for 18 consecutive games.

A starter at right guard, Hoge has been healthy this calendar year and is part of a BYU offensive line viewed as the strength of the Cougar offense. Hoge is one of 21 players listed as an offensive guard in the Senior Bowl’s Top 250.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.