While the Army vs. SMU game was the first of the day, that bowl game only had one legitimate NFL prospect in receiver Aldrick Robinson. However, the next set of three bowl games should feature quite a few players that should be playing on Sunday’s.
Kansas State and Syracuse feature many solid next level prospects, but four of which who all would be a surprise if they didn’t hear their named called on draft day, especially the Wildcats’s running back. Also, the North Carolina game features the host of great Tar Heels of the program as well as a few others that would be able to play in the game. And finally, we’ll get to see one of the nation’s top passers take on of the nation’s best defense in an rematch game of Washington and Nebraska.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Syracuse Orange – Pinstripe Bowl
Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
One of the top five running backs in the country this year and our number one ranked senior running back, Thomas has been both a load to bring down and a home run threat for this surprisingly competitive Kansas State team. He doesn’t have great speed or outstanding open field moves, but he can make guys miss with good cuts and has the downfield strength to break tackles in the open field.
Doug Hogue, OLB, Syracuse
The most talented of the ‘Cuse “Big Three” in that front seven, all of which should be drafted based on our scouting for the year. Hogue is a very rangy linebacker who can blitz with good speed, transition to coverage, and can tackle sideline to sideline. He’ll need to show that he can be a consistent tackler, but he should be the focal point in stopping Thomas.
Andrew Lewis, DT, Syracuse
A good athlete for a defensive tackle who has really developed his pass rush moves and his lateral quickness as he was very productive and active in his rush to the quarterback. Lewis isn’t a complete defensive tackle as of now and will need to bulk up and be better vs. the run, but he’ll have a chance to showcase that in this game.
Derrell Smith, ILB, Syracuse
Not as athletically gifted as Hogue, Smith has been productive and consistent on the inside of this defense and has been a very reliable tackler. A smart, heady linebacker, he’ll need to show better lateral quickness, but he has the skill set to make it in the NFL.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Tennessee Volunteers – Music City Bowl
Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina
Burney was suspended for the early part of the season, but came on strong from a scouting perspective at the latter part of the season. Burney is very physical for an undersized cornerback, and should be the defensive stud in this game against a very average passing game in Tennessee.
Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina
He was touted as one of the top inside linebackers in the country at the early part of the season, but struggled much of the year and showed he was likely a better at strongside linebacker. He still has been productive at linebacker, but he needs to show better range and versatility in pass coverage.
Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina
A very rangy free safety who has been very impressive when he came back from suspension, Williams still needs to show that he is a high character guy as well as showing he can use his ball skills to make more plays to end the season. If he can show those two things, he could slide back into the bottom of the 1st round.
Luke Stocker, TE, Tennessee
As has been consistent in the past few years, Tennessee features a solid, very athletic tight end. Stocker may be the best of the bunch in the past few years and is very close if not at the top of the tight end draft class this year. He could be crucial to this team being successful in this one if he can take advantage of the lack of great coverage by the linebackers.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Washington Huskies – Holiday Bowl
Jake Locker, QB, Washington
While he hasn’t been as impressive this season as he was a year ago, Locker still is a great talent at quarterback and still one of the top three or four best draft eligible quarterbacks this year. He is great on the move, as a very strong arm, can evade pressure in the pocket, and has improved his touch, all of which will be crucial if this team hopes to rebound from the early season loss to Nebraska.
Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Viewed as the top cornerback in the country at the start of the year, only the all time great season’s by a cornerback that Patrick Peterson of LSU had that moved him down to number two. Amukamara has great size and plays physical both at the line and in coverage, and his ball skills, though not consistently tested, could make him a Top 10 pick.
Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska (JR)
Last season in the Big 12 Championship game, most fans and scouts focused on Ndamukong Suh. And while was very impressive, as he was all season, part of that was thanks to the outstanding play of Jared Crick. Crick’s impression on the team fell off slightly this year, likely thanks to the loss of Suh, but his ability to get pressure with multiple blockers and his athletic movement in the open field could make him a fringe 1st rounder if he declares.
Mason Foster, OLB, Washington
A well-built, athletic linebacker, Foster has been a force for this Washington defense all season, despite the defense regularly getting beat. He constantly makes plays on both sides of the line and across the tackle box, and will be crucial in this game in slowing down the usually productive Nebraska running game.
Roy Helu Jr, RB, Nebraska
The leader of the Nebraska running game, Roy Helu Jr. was one of the top senior running backs coming into the year. However, thanks to some up and down games, a lack of great deep speed, and being a part of the diverse offense that Taylor Martinez ran, he fell slightly on boards. Still, he jumps out on some game film, and could use another big game in this one.
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