In what will be a constant Bowl season update for each day’s slate of game, we’ll take a look at the top NFL Draft Prospects in each game.
Today, the New Mexico Bowl, Humanitarian Bowl, and New Orleans Bowl will be played, and top prospects such as Jerrell Jernigan, LaVon Brazill, and Andrew Jackson as well as some sleeper solid prospects.
New Mexico Bowl – BYU Cougars vs. UTEP Miners
In a battle of barely bowl eligible teams, UTEP has the more senior leadership while BYU may have more overall talent in their young team. I’d take UTEP in this game based on the fact that their quarterback, running back, and receiver are all playing their final game.
Trevor Vittatoe, QB, UTEP
Vittatoe has been the leader of this offense for three seasons now and his last game may work wonders for his draft stock. UTEP hasn’t been the focal point of the C-USA at any point during the season, but with this national spotlight against a solid but young BYU team, he could exploit it and give his draft hopes and team a win. His decision-making and deep touch will be the focus of scouts, but his mobility and ability to make plays on the move should also impress. He’s a fringe draft prospect as of now.
Donald Buckram, RB, UTEP
Buckram was banged up all season, not playing in five games this year and only carrying the ball over 15 times in a game once all year. However, he’s said that he’s the healthiest he’s been all season for this game, and he’ll have to prove that his knee can still have that impressive burst and quick cutting in the hole for him to make it at the next level.
Kris Adams, WR, UTEP
Adams has been a tough, physical receiver for Vittatoe all season long, and his willingness to eat up the middle of the field and his explosion in his breaks could make him an NFL target as well. He doesn’t run great routes and has some quickness and big play questions, but he has the skill set to be a factor in this game and get an NFL shot.
Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU (JR)
The only legitimate draftable prospect on this young BYU team is Reynolds, who has been a technician and very impressive in his movement and athleticism. He’s had some trouble against speed rushers and may be best suited for the right side in the NFL, but with the lackluster crop of offensive tackles this year, he could declare and slide into the 1st round.
Humanitarian Bowl – Northern Illinois Wildcats vs. Fresno State Bulldogs
The Jerry Kill-less Wildcats at Northern Illinois have been so successful this year because of his system. Now, they’ll be without their architect on offense as he moved onto Minnesota, and with Ryan Colburn and that blocking game, I’ll take Fresno State by a touchdown.
Andrew Jackson, OG, Fresno State
Jackson’s power in the run game and his explosion on the inside has worked wonders for this interior rushing game for the Bulldogs the past few seasons, and his pass protecting has improved as well. He needs to bulk up for the next level, but his with his power and ability to block at the second level makes him a solid NFL prospect at guard.
Ben Jacobs, ILB, Fresno State
An instinctive, sure-tackling linebacker Jacobs only has average movement for an inside linebacker and needs to show that he can be even more comfortable dropping back in the middle and meeting runners on the outside, as he’ll likely play outside linebacker at the next level.
Ryan Colburn, QB, Fresno State
Colburn has been a strong armed, technique-driven quarterback this year, and his improvement over the course of the year has been impressive. He needs to work on his touch across the field and his comfort-ability in the pocket, but his leadership this season and his overall athletic ability makes him a decent quarterback prospect for the next level
Jake Coffman, DE, Northern Illinois
Coffman has been a non-stop motor guy who’s been relentless against the run all season. He hasn’t shown great pass rush moves, however, and needs to show he can use his hands to get off blocks and make a play on the quarterback or on the inside against the run. He’s a fringe draft prospect.
New Orleans Bowl – Ohio Bobcats vs. Troy Trojans
Another great job with limited talent this year by Frank Solich, he’ll finally get LaVon Brazill, he’s most dynamic playmaker, back for this game. Still, however, Troy has some impressive weapons of their own, and I’d say Jernigan make the difference and the Trojans win by ten plus.
Jerrell Jernigan, WR, Troy
The feature player in today’s games, Jernigan might be able to go as high as the second round with how he’s played this season. He’s been a dynamic playmaker who’s made an impact as a runner, in the wildcat, as a deep receiver, quick receiver, and on special teams. He has great hands, doesn’t shy away from the middle, and can make a play on an inaccurate ball. He’ll be the feature player in this game.
LaVon Brazill, WR, Ohio
Brazill has been hurt for all but three games this year, and despite Ohio’s run back to the MAC title game, they have really missed the big play ability of Brazill in this offense. He has great speed, moves after the catch, size, and jumping ability to be a number one receiver at the college level, and his versatility and athletic ability will make him an intriguing fit for the NFL, if he can develop his technique and prove he’s healthy from his injury this year.
DuJuan Harris, RB, Troy
At only 5’7, 195, Harris doesn’t have great size, but he hits the hole hard and with aggression. He has great speed after contact and his vision to be a dangerous cut back runner and has even shown some consistency as a pass catcher. He lacks the size and power to be a solid NFL prospect, but he can have a shot in a zone-blocking scheme such as the Texans.
Stafford Gatling, DE, Ohio
Gatling isn’t a perfectly sized defensive end for the next level, but his production as one of the MAC’s top pass rushers and his instincts in getting to the ball could give him an NFL look. He’s only just over 230 pounds, so he’ll have to either be an undersize, rotational end in a 4-3 or a speedy outside linebacker in a 3-4. He has the pass rush moves and lateral quickness, and he’ll have to show he belongs on the big stage today.
Julian Posey, CB, Ohio
Posey has been a huge factor this season for Ohio, and has shown he can play and perform well in both man and zone coverage. He’ll likely be responsible for Jernigan most of the game, and he’ll need to track the ball better and use his lateral quickness to stay with the speedy Jernigan. He needs to be consistent much of the game, and if he can play well against Jernigan, he could get even more NFL looks.
Tebiarus Gill, WR, Troy
Gill has decent enough speed and hands to get a shot at the NFL level. He’ll need to bulk up and show he can make some big plays with the ball, but he’ll struggle to land on an NFL roster.
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