In one of the more talent-filled bowl games before New Years Even, the Music City Bowl features two of the better programs in the country, LSU and Notre Dame, coming off less-than-ideal seasons for the type of coaches and talent they possess.
Still, this game features two of the best offensive linemen in the country, a test for both of those blockers with plus-pass rushers to watch, and a cornerback who may battle for the top in the class now that he’s officially declared.
LSU
La’el Collins, OT, – 6’5, 315
For Optimum Scouting, La’el Collins is our top rated offensive lineman. While he’s not an elite athlete in pass protection and struggles to consistently get to the perimeter against speed rushers, he’s able to do enough to reach his block on the edge. His slight worries against edge speed rushers is significantly made up by his awesome lower body strength to hold his anchor and controlling interior and edge power rushers, and he’s able to engage, use his strength to gain leverage and consistently drive downfield (and to the ground) as a run blocker. His hand control and elite strength across his frame is what makes him a top offensive tackle prospect, and potentially an elite offensive guard if necessary.
Jermuria Rasco, DE – 6’3, 262
While he’s the starter for the Tigers on a usually productive defensive line, Rasco’s struggles to finish rushes and finish tackles in the backfield along with stiffness in space push him to the bottom portion of the draft class. He does use his hands to gain gaps between his blocker and himself, but doesn’t have the lateral quickness to follow-through. He’s activeness at the line could allow him to be a 3rd down, 3-down disrupter who can use his hands to bat down balls in the NFL.
Danielle Hunter, DE, #94 – 6’6, 241 (JR)
Despite having tremendous athleticism, flexibility, and activity initially and at the line of scrimmage, Hunter is still too undersized or raw to be a first-round prospect in the NFL draft, and he’d be wise to stay in school. Against Notre Dame, he’ll be matched up with Ronnie Stanley, another young lineman that has NFL interest, and Hunter will need to do a better job of staying upright and not losing leverage/positioning to easily in the run game.
Jalen Collins, CB, #32 – 6’2, 195 (JR)
One of the best cornerback prospects now that he’s officially declared, Collins has ideal NFL length, range, long speed and a willingness to play physical as he works in Cover-3 and man coverage down the field. His vision and hands at the line of scrimmage can be more polished, but shear talent and upside-wise, Collins can potentially land in the first-round of the 2015 draft.
Others to Watch:
Terrence Magee, RB
Kenny Hillard, RB
Quantavis Leslie, WR
Evan Washington, OG
Elliott Parker, OC
DJ Welker, LB
Jalen Mills, CB (Staying in School)
Ronald Martin, SAF
Notre Dame
Ben Koyack, TE, #18 – 6’5, 261
Filling the H-Back, tight end and slot receiver role for the Irish, Koyack has developed into one of the more complete tight ends in the country, especially as a blocker who finishes well on the perimeter and on the interior, including as a pass blocker. His polish with his hands and lower body positioning should allow him to make an instant impact there, and if he can impress teams as a route runner/pass catcher, two areas he didn’t wow on film with, he could be viewed as a fringe #1 tight end in many NFL offenses.
Ronnie Stanley, OT, #78 – 6’6, 318 (JR)
Despite Notre Dame struggling, Ronnie Stanley seemed to grow his national recognition over the year thanks to plus athleticism in pass protection, surprising hand polish for a young blocker, and ideal size for the left tackle position. He’s composed as a pass blocker, extending with plus-timing and transitioning between blockers well, but needs to be more decisive with his initial hand placement and could be more dominant as a run blocker downfield, using his strength and leverage with more control. He should impress against the LSU defensive line.
Sheldon Day, DT, #91 – 6’2, 290 (JR)
Arguably the best defensive lineman in the game, Day has proven to have value as a three-technique, five-technique, and when asked to work and bend around the edge. Ideally suited for a 3-tech role in the NFL, Day’s ability to hold-up and remain active against double teams, lateral explosion to get around the edge, and ability to hold ground and not lose running lane positioning in pursuit could make him a first-round option if he chooses to declare for the draft.
Everett Golson, QB, #5 – 5’11, 185 (JR)
While he’s been benched for the team’s game against LSU, Golson still has NFL potential if he does declare for the draft this year. His slight frame and lack of ideal size is near-certain to keep him out of the top four rounds, but his velocity, athleticism and great strides made over the past two years should intrigue teams enough to warrant a draft selection.
Others to Watch:
Nick Martin, OC
Christian Lombard, OG
Matthais Farley, CB
Cody Riggs, DB
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
