This year’s Fiesta Bowl features two teams who tore up their respective conferences. Arizona was one of the best teams in the Pac-12, and owned the best record in the south division. Boise State won the right to be called the best team in the Mountain West Conference. They won the championship game, and came away with a stellar 7-1 record against conference rivals.
Each team has one prospect that stands above the rest of their teammates. However, Boise State has several players who can make an impact on an NFL roster next season. The trouble is, their top two seniors (WR Matt Miller and SAF Jeremy Ioane) will not be playing. Miller missed the twilight of his college career with an ankle injury. Ioane has a serious medical condition clouding his future availability.
By: Matt Harmon
Boise State
Jay Ajayi, RB, #27
The workhorse running back is just a junior, but Jay Ajayi has already declared for the NFL Draft. Ajayi is a strong, powerful runner with a number of advanced traits. The way he can cycle between moves, while staying balanced, is simply remarkable. It is also not uncommon to see him completely disconnect his upper and lower body to contort himself through holes, and around tacklers. He can do things that many NFL running backs cannot do.
Jay Ajayi profiles as a starting running back, if all breaks right. He’s certain to produce in this game. Check out my in-depth evaluation of him.
Blake Renaud, LB, #13
There are a few linebackers in the Mountain West Conference that receive publicity as late-round potential special teamers. Blake Renaud rarely gets mention, but he is just as competent as any of them. Renaud is very smart on the field, and has a quick reaction time. He’s consistently played well against mobile quarterbacks, and has some interesting ability as a spy.
Renaud never developed into more than a spot player at Boise State. So, he faces an uphill climb to make an NFL roster. However, there may be a football future with this linebacker.
Arizona
Austin Hill, WR, #29
Austin Hill figures to be one of the bigger enigmas of the 2015 NFL Draft. During the preseason, there were some who touted him as their favorite wide receiver prospect of the senior class. However, injuries have been a consistent problem for him, and they’ve kept him from reaching his potential. This season, he’s played a tight end/H-back role for Arizona.
Hill looks like he’ll be an interesting sleeper for the mid-rounds of the 2015 draft. A strong performance in this game could help scouts glean a bit of clarity on where he stands as a player. After moving between positions, they will need all the help they can get.
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