College Bowl Prospects

The NFL season is winding to a close which can only mean one thing: it’s time to start looking forward to the draft! The college football season ended several weeks ago, but fortunately most teams still have one or two meaningless games left to play. And since college football exists solely to feed players to the NFL (just as college itself exists only to train people for jobs so they have money to spend on the NFL) I think it is best that we look at these games as one last chance to evaluate the talent in next year’s draft.

Before we go any further, I just want to make it clear that I’m aware that there have already been several bowl games already. But no one cares about any bowl game that takes place before Christmas. The real games with the real talent are coming up, and that’s what I’m going to focus my attention on.

For each game I selected one player (I chose one for each team in the playoff) with significant NFL potential to keep your eye on. All of these players are draft eligible, but some are still underclassmen who could choose not to declare for the draft. These players I have marked with an asterisk. For each player I prepared a very preliminary scouting report, mostly focusing on their role on their college team and what skills they possess that have caught the eye of the NFL. Remember, the draft process is a tumultuous time and any projections made in December are wildly meaningless.

Because I'm going to spend a lot of time discussing quarterbacks over the coming months, I decided to stick to non quarterback players for this. More thorough analyses will come later, but for now you should just keep an eye on these players and try to evaluate them for yourselves. Try not to focus too much on the results of the games themselves. The winner is usually the team that is least depressed about where their season ended up.

December 26

You know what? December 26 sucks too. I’ll meet you on December 27.

December 27

Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech

Kyshoen Jarrett – S, Virginia Tech

An inauspicious start. I’d like to be able to throw this game away as well, but instead I’ll settle for discussing a player who may or may not be drafted (don’t worry, most of the other games have someone who will probably go in the first three rounds.) Jarrett spends a lot of time in the box playing essentially a linebacker position or matched up across from a slot receiver. He’s nothing special athletically, but he is a versatile player who tackles well in the open field and should be able to carve out a role in the NFL on special teams.

Arizona State vs Duke

Jaelen Strong* – WR, Arizona State

I tried to write this without making a pun using Strong’s last name, but it simply isn’t possible. He is a fine route runner with good down the field burst, but what really sets him apart is his strength. He is 6’4” and plays even larger, snatching contested balls out of the air and making plays using his massive frame. He plays all over the field for Arizona State, and they go out of their way to see that he gets the ball thrown his way. He will go in the first round this year, and good workout numbers could elevate him to the second receiver taken off the board.

Miami vs South Carolina

AJ Cann – OG, South Carolina

Cann might be the best pure guard prospect available in this year’s draft. He lines up on the left side for South Carolina and spends most of his time pass blocking or performing simple down blocks. He’ll pull every now and then and is successful when he does so, but he’s at his best when he can just focus on the man across from him. His strength is as a pass blocker. He anchors well and doesn’t let himself get shoved backwards to collapse the pocket. He isn’t as talented as some of the guards drafted in recent years, but he’ll make a nice late first round pick.

Boston College vs Penn State

Andy Gallik – C, Boston College

Gallik will likely end up being a middle round pick in the draft, which is about the selection a team should use if they want a serviceable but unspectacular interior lineman. Serviceable but unspectacular is probably the best way to describe Gallik. He isn’t going to overpower opposing defenders, but he latches on well and is rarely beaten straight up. He moves well when asked to pull, suggesting he could move to guard easily if the team that drafts him has such a need. He’s a solid option as a utility interior lineman with the potential to eventually move into a starting role.

Nebraska vs USC

Randy Gregory* – DE, Nebraska

I could also have written about Leonard Williams for USC, but I had Gregory written up prior to the announcement that these two teams were playing each other. So instead of going with one of the top three players in the draft, I’ll break down one of the top five instead. Gregory is a likely top ten pick, and on paper it isn’t difficult to see why. He has all the measurables you could want from a pass rusher. He is an every down player for the Cornhuskers, usually lining up on the right side of the defensive line and rushing the passer. He will occasionally line up as a stand up linebacker, though he still almost always ends up chasing after the quarterback. He holds ground well against the run, but he is at his best when matched up one on one against an opposing tackle. His inside move is devastating, and unless he is constantly double teamed he will find a way to get to the quarterback.

December 29

Texas A&M vs West Virginia

Kevin White – WR, West Virginia

White has fallen off some as the year has gone along, but early in the season he was right there with Amari Cooper as the best receiver in college football. He lines up almost exclusively on the right side of the field, though he will occasionally bump down into the slot. He has excellent quickness off the line to beat press coverage, and he attacks the ball in the air to win contested passes. He is West Virginia’s most dangerous weapon, and they will definitely try to feed him the ball.

Oklahoma vs Clemson

Vic Beasley – DE, Clemson

Beasley isn’t one of the top pass rushers available in the draft, but he will provide good value for some team in the middle of the first round. For Clemson he lines up almost exclusively on the right end of the defensive line, varying between a two, three, or four point stance. His best move is a speed rush around the edge, but he shows willingness to mix it up with a bull rush or an inside move. These aren’t particularly dangerous weapons, but they keep an opposing blocker off balance enough for him to get around the edge a couple times a game.

Arkansas vs Texas

Malcom Brown* – DT, Texas

Brown will likely go in the first or the second round in this year’s draft, playing either the three technique in a 4-3 or a defensive end in the 3-4. He plays in the former scheme at Texas and can usually be found on the inside, though he occasionally bumps out to defensive end. He flashes explosion and quickness to beat opposing linemen off the ball, but he spends most of his time engaging a blocker and trying to throw them aside once he’s read the play. He has the versatility to play several styles in the NFL, but he lacks the strength to push offensive linemen around and the size to be a real space eater against the run.

December 30

Notre Dame vs LSU

La’El Collins – OT, LSU

LSU’s left tackle may be the most physically impressive offensive lineman in this year’s draft. He has quick feet for a man of such massive size, with long arms and the strength to make use of them. He excels in pass protection, keeping his center of mass fixed above his feet to prevent being knocked backwards and controlling opposing rushers with his powerful hands. LSU doesn’t ask a lot of him in terms of blocking in space, but whenever he is put in that position he handles it with ease. His run blocking needs a bit more work, which drops him out of the top ten closer to the middle of the first round. But he has probably the highest upside of any offensive lineman in this class.

Georgia vs Louisville

Leonard Floyd* – OLB, Georgia

Apparently Floyd has decided against turning pro, but since I already have this written up you might as well read it. Floyd plays all over the field as a linebacker for Georgia, though he occasionally drops into a three point stance as a defensive lineman. He has one of the most diverse pass rushing games of the draft’s top prospects, mixing a variety of twists and inside moves with the standard speed rush around the edge. He is very good at disengaging from blockers, and he darts through open gaps to cause quick pressure. His best work comes not when he’s lined up in the edge but when he is pulled into the A-Gap, where his quickness lets him blow between guards and centers to get into the backfield.

Maryland vs Stanford

Andrus Peat – OT, Stanford

Peat is yet another NFL lineman churned out by the Stanford factory. He is a phenomenal pass protector on the quarterback’s blind side. He anchors well against power rushes, but he maintains excellent balance that allows him to slide quickly from side to side to handle speed rushes and counter moves. He is less effective in the running game, but he has the pass blocking abilities that are the primary skill most NFL teams look for in an offensive tackle.

December 31

Ole Miss vs TCU

Cody Prewitt – S, Ole Miss

Ole Miss is a team built around young talent, and Prewitt—their best draft eligible player—will likely be only a midround pick this year. His primary use as a ballhawking safety who usually lines up ten to fifteen yards off the ball. He will occasionally rotate up at the snap to try to undercut a quick route, but for the most part he hangs back in a deep zone. He is a capable tackler and a big hitter when receivers come into his area, but he rarely sticks his nose into traffic against the run. He doesn’t offer the versatility of some of the higher rated safeties, but he’s a good option for a team looking for someone solid to handle the back end of their coverage.

Boise State vs Arizona

Jay Ajayi* – RB, Boise State

The running back class this year is as talented as it has been in a few years. Ajayi isn’t in the top tier of runners, but he could be a good value add in the second or third round. What he lacks in straight line speed he makes up for in balance, strength, and shiftiness. He falls into the young running back trap of trying to bounce outside too often, but as long as he is moving downhill he is a dangerous runner. In the passing game he is much better as a receiver than a blocker. He will catch the ball either off checkdowns or designed screens, and he is dangerous once he has the ball in the open field.

Mississippi State vs Georgia Tech

Benardrick McKinney* – ILB, Mississippi State

Inside linebacker is not a particularly valued position in the NFL, and you can usually find a solid starter without much trouble in the second round. McKinney is a perfect example of this. He isn’t a world shattering playmaker like Patrick Willis or Ray Lewis, but he is a solid defender against the run with plenty of room to grow. He plays with excellent aggression, always attacking downhill towards the ballcarriers in the running game. He isn’t asked to do much against the pass, which means he is perfect to go against Georgia Tech’s run heavy triple option scheme.

January 1

Auburn vs Wisconsin

Melvin Gordon* – RB, Wisconsin

Running back is not a particularly valued position in the NFL, but Gordon might be one of the few talented enough to make it into the first round. His speed is incredible, and he is at his best when he can get through a clean hole or bounce around the edge. But what really sets him apart is his vision and patience. He can navigate through congested areas, and he accelerates whenever he sees a tiny opening. He doesn’t have the shiftiness to be dangerous in the open field, but he is better at breaking tackles than people realize. He is pretty much all Wisconsin has on offense, so expect to see a heavy workload in his final game with the Badgers.

Michigan State vs Baylor

Shilique Calhoun* – DE, Michigan State

In early projections Calhoun was considered a top ten prospect, but a disappointing season has caused him to drop in the first round. He plays either defensive end for Michigan State, always in a down stance and very rarely dropping into coverage. His greatest asset is his speed, explosive off the ball and around the edge. He is a phenomenal run defender, which has actually caused some of his drop in production this year. Against run heavy teams (aka the Big Ten) Michigan State often asked him to play less aggressive as a pass rusher, sacrificing pass rushing to stop the run. Baylor is good at running the ball, but he will still likely be let loose more in the bowl than in most games this season.

Missouri vs Minnesota

Shane Ray* – DE, Missouri

The top of this year’s draft is absolutely loaded with pass rushing talent. While Ray may not have the freakish measurables of some of the others who will join him in the top ten, he certainly has the productivity. He lines up everywhere along the defensive line, both as an end and as a tackle. His game is a bit different from most of the other pass rushers. He rarely turns to the speed rush around the edge, preferring instead to shoot through one of the inside gaps using his strength and his speed. He makes phenomenal use of his hands in shedding blocks, allowing him to be a force both against the pass and the run. He is a unique talent, and it will be interesting to see how he is utilized in the NFL.

January 2

Houston vs Pittsburgh

TJ Clemmings – OT, Pittsburgh

Okay, the real reasons to watch this game are the two freakishly gifted players on Pitt’s offense. But both Tyler Boyd and James Conner are true sophomores, meaning we have to wait another year before they can escape to the NFL. So instead check out Pitt’s right tackle, a likely first or second round pick in this year’s draft. The distinction between the two tackle positions has blurred somewhat in recent years, but Clemmings is as pure a right tackle as it gets. He is a physical mauler who is decent in space in the running game but struggles in pass protection. Fortunately Pitt’s game is built around the run, meaning he gets to spend most of his time showing off the best aspects of his game.

Iowa vs Tennessee

Brandon Scherff – OT, Iowa

One of the more highly touted linemen in the draft and a likely first round pick, Scherff is probably better suited to play guard at the next level. He is a mauler in the run game who occasionally struggles in pass protection—think Greg Robinson without the athletic upside—but he has what it takes to be a strong pass blocker in tight spaces. As soon as he gets his hands on a defender it’s over, and he uses this strength to dominate in the running game. Fortunately for everyone involved, Iowa is smart enough to run the ball more often than they pass it.

Kansas State vs UCLA

Tyler Lockett – WR, Kansas State

UCLA has some interesting prospects—notably their quarterback Brett Hundley—but I’m going to go with the best player on Kansas State’s side of the ball. Lockett is a quick receiver who lacks the sort of size or strength to be a top prospect, but he should go somewhere in the mid to late rounds of this year’s draft. He is best suited for the slot at the next level, but he lines up on the outside on pretty much every play for Kansas State. He creates good separation with his quickness, which is essential because he is not going to be winning any contested balls. Physicality is his weakness, but if given space he can be very dangerous.

Washington vs Oklahoma State

Shaquille Thompson* – ILB, Washington

An athletic marvel who has played both running back and linebacker this year, most scouts agree that Thompson is best suited to play linebacker at the next level. His athleticism will make him a top fifteen pick, even though he has a lot of work to do. He usually lines up in the middle of the field five or six yards back from the line of scrimmage. He plays conservatively from this depth, reading plays and scraping over the wash before using his incredible burst to close down on the ball carrier. He will have to learn to be more aggressive in the NFL, and he needs a lot of work learning how to disengage from blockers. But in college his athleticism is enough to set him apart on the field.

January 3

East Carolina vs Florida

Dante Fowler Jr* – DE, Florida

Fowler lines up all over the place for Florida. Seriously, good luck finding him before the snap. He’ll be down in a three point stance at either end of the line or playing up as a linebacker. He rushes off the edge, rushes up the middle, and even occasionally drops into coverage. The productivity isn’t at the same level as some other top pass rushers, which is what will prevent him from making it up to the top of the first round. But the raw tools are all there. He has the power to knock linemen aside, and he is as explosive off the ball as anyone in this year’s draft.

January 4

Toledo vs Arkansas State

This doesn’t make any sense. Why is this the last bowl game? Screw it, I’m moving on to the playoff.

Playoff

Arik Armstead* – DE, Oregon

The premier prospect for Oregon is Marcus Mariota, but I said I wasn’t going to discuss quarterbacks. Their next best prospect is Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, but he won’t play in this game due to a knee injury. So instead I’ll go with Armstead, a midround talent as a defensive end. Armstead is massive, and he is probably best suited to playing as a 3-4 space eating defensive end. He plays on the left side for Oregon and prefers to engage blockers before trying to break free, rather than trying to shoot by them. He doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher, but he is stout against the run and will contain the quarterback.

PJ Williams* – CB, Florida State

Williams is a large, physical cornerback who excels in press coverage and should go in the first two rounds of the draft. He occasionally will play in the slot, but most of the time he lines spread wide on the short side of the field. This allows him to use his physicality to force receivers towards the sideline. He is a strong tackler with decent ball skills, though he occasionally becomes too physical when the ball is in the air. Primarily a man coverage player, he does have the skills to play in zone when asked to do so.

Michael Bennett – DT, Ohio State

The strength of Ohio State’s defense is along the line. Bennett isn’t their best defensive lineman, but he is a solid, veteran presence in the middle. He isn’t particularly quick or explosive, but his strength is on another level from most defensive lineman. He does not get moved backwards, and he usually drives the opposing lineman into the backfield. He isn’t the best at disengaging from blocks, but when he can control an offensive lineman with his hands he can toss him aside with ease. His limitations will keep him out of the first round, but he should go sometime on the second day of the draft.

Landon Collins* – S, Alabama

Collins is the highest rated safety in the draft, and he has a good chance to make his way up into the top ten picks. For Alabama he mostly plays the deep safety role, though he has the versatility to be used several ways in the NFL. He slides down and matches up man to man against the inside slot receiver when facing a trips alignment, and he occasionally will come on a blitz off the edge. He has great burst and closing speed, and he is good at playing the ball when it is in the air. He isn’t particularly aggressive as a run defender, but this may be as much about scheme as it is about him.