Despite entering the final week of the season ranked 3rd and winning their final game, TCU wound up on the outside looking in at the first ever College Football Playoffs. They’ll be playing an Ole Miss team that at one point in the season, also looked like a national contender.
While TCU still led the Big 12 in scoring defense, the biggest reason for their success in 2014 was an explosive offense. Led by junior QB Trevone Boykin, this team finished just behind Baylor with 46.8 points scored per game. For Ole Miss, it’s been their defense that has kept them in games, as they’ve limited opposing offenses to just 18 touchdowns all season. With prospects like TCU ILB Paul Dawson and Ole Miss SAF Cody Prewitt headed to the Senior Bowl, be sure to check out these top draft-eligible prospects.
By: Alex Brown
TCU
Trevone Boykin, QB, #2
Boykin made an impressive progression in his junior season, displaying command of the TCU up-tempo offense and improved deep ball accuracy. Previously bounced around from position to position, he picked up a new offense during the offseason and has flourished. He has a natural ¾’s delivery and can have issues with batted balls at the line of scrimmage, but generally does a plus job of sliding around the pocket and creating space for himself to throw. With his ability to make plays with his feet and connect on downfield throws, he’ll certainly be an intriguing QB prospect that could garner 3rd round grades.
Davion Pierson, DT, #57 (JR)
Built low to the ground and twitched up, Davion Pierson has the explosive lower body strength and lateral movement skills to be an impactful defensive tackle. He’s able to get underneath blockers, create separation by locking out and find the football on a consistent basis. His best fit at the next level is as a 3-technique, where he can beat NFL guards with his quickness. With the power he generates at the point of attack and closing burst needed to finish plays in the backfield, he’s a defensive tackle prospect that I would likely give a 2nd or 3rd round grade.
Paul Dawson, OLB, #47
Athletic enough to run around blockers and still get to the football, Paul Dawson has the skill set to develop and excel as a weakside linebacker at the next level. In TCU’s 4-2-5 defense, he plays inside where he uses his quickness to slip blockers and locate the football. Formerly a wide receiver in high school, Dawson also shows soft hands and good ball skills to make plays in pass coverage. Although he was considered a late round pick at best entering the season, Paul Dawson’s current draft stock likely sits in that 4th range
Other Prospects:
Kolby Listanbee, WR, #7
Tayo Fabuluje, OT, #59
Chucky Hunter, DT, #96
Kevin White, CB, #25
Sam Carter, S, #17
Ole Miss
Bo Wallace, QB, #14
As far as pro comparisons go, Bo Wallace is like a poor man’s Jay Cutler. Wallace has the prototypical 6’4 frame for the QB position, can drive the ball downfield on deep post throws and comebacks, and even has the functional mobility to create second lives in the pocket. Still, he’s overly reliant on his arm strength to bail him out of bad situations, and touch downfield is inconsistent at best. The most frustrating aspect of Wallace’s game is his lack of situational awareness or consistent decision making, which will ultimately lead to a day three draft grade for most NFL teams.
Senquez Golson, CB, #21
Starting at the field cornerback position, Senquez Golson plays much bigger than his 5’9, 180-pound frame might indicate. He’s quick to transition and close for tackles, and is unafraid to mix things up against the run. Though he lacks elite speed, Golson displays the instincts to anticipate routes as they develop and beat the receiver to the catch point. His size will undoubtedly knock him down some draft boards, but I fully expect Golson to outperform wherever he’s selected.
Cody Prewitt, S, #25
Prewitt spent his first two seasons an in-the-box safety before transitioning to more of a free safety role as a junior. He shows the diagnose ability and range to make plays as both a centerfielder (Cover 1 and Cover 3) and split-field safety. Likely a strong safety at the next level, Prewitt’s combination of plus size, experience and instincts could warrant day two grades from NFL scouting departments.
Other Prospects:
Jaylen Walton, RB, #6 (JR)
Cody Core, WR, #88 (JR)
C.J. Johnson, DE, #10 (JR)
Keith Lewis, OLB, #24
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
