After both Michigan and Florida having gone off to hot starts to 2015, they both faltered at the end to disappointing blowouts to rivals. Jim Harbaugh in his first year as head coach (9-3) brings a stingy defense to the forefront allowing just 17.2 points per game good for 11th in the nation. They also had three consecutive shutouts. Florida is no chump on the defensive end as they finished 8th in the nation in points allowed. This should be a good old-fashioned smash mouth football game. Here is an outlook on some of the top prospects from the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl for the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.
By: Austin Baumer
Michigan
Jake Rudock, QB, #15
Rudock is a transfer from Iowa that had an up and down season. At the start of the season Rudock struggled to put any zip on his passes, made plenty of mental mistakes, and couldn’t make any of the deep throws. As the season progressed he was able to improve on all of those things and has a legit shot to be drafted with a strong bowl game and post-season.
Joe Bolden, ILB, #35
Bolden is without question the team leader on defense and was the team’s leading tackler. When you watch Bolden you can’t help but notice how innate his field awareness and instincts are. Not the most gifted athlete or strongest player on the field, but Bolden is pretty solid across the board and plays sideline-to-sideline. An East-West Shrine game commit, look for the man in the middle making plays all over the field.
Desmond Morgan, OLB, #3
Morgan is very undersized by NFL standards for an outside linebacker at 220 lbs. but possesses many qualities to be an interesting prospect and potential draft pick near the end of the draft. A 3-year starter, Morgan, much like Bolden does most things well on the football field and has the speed to play on 3rd downs at the next level.
Others to watch:
Graham Glasgow, C, #61 (injured)
James Ross, OLB, #15
Jarrod Wilson, S, #22
Florida
Kelvin Taylor, RB, #21 (Junior Declared)
Taylor, the son of Jaguars legend Fred Taylor, had a polarizing 2015 season. He had games where his power and cutting ability were on full display with excellent vision bursting through holes and he had games where he had nothing at all going. Against LSU and Alabama combined he had 22 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown. That’s very mediocre against NFL-caliber prospect laden defenses, while he torched the rest of the SEC for most of 2015. Look for Taylor between the tackles against a stout run defense in Michigan. He needs a strong game to get into the 3rd-4th round consideration.
Jake McGee, TE, #83
A 6th year senior transfer from Virginia, McGee is intriguing because he fits the mold of a Chris Cooley type of Tight end/H-back. He can be moved around the offense and can create mismatches along the edge or across the middle vs linebackers. Hands-catcher that will go up and grab the ball. Plus athletic ability for a tight end that can create separation due to plus route running. He can be a big weapon at the next level on 3rd downs and this year has been Florida’s most consistent receiver. McGee’s weakness lies strictly in the running game as he is a well below-average blocker with poor strength. McGee could be a great late-round addition. Senior Bowl Commit.
Jonathan Bullard, DE, #90
Bullard is an intriguing prospect that can fit in either the 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. At Florida he plays the 3-technique predominantly and showcases superb quickness and strength on the interior. His ability to shoot gaps and draw double teams lead him to be a dominant run stopper. He plays with a sheer power that will translate at the next level marvelously. Will take control of lineman and drive them back behind the LOS. If there is a weakness to his game it is to become more of a 3 down lineman exclusively and creating more room to corral ball carriers. If he can shed a few pounds and become a 3-4 end at the next level he should rarely come off of the field. Bullard is a Senior Bowl commit and with a strong game and week in Mobile he can shoot up to 1st round consideration.
Antonio Morrison, ILB, #3
Morrison has shown two different sides throughout his career and even as a senior. You love his athletic ability which is brought into play with his speed being all over the field from sideline to sideline. What makes this polarizing is he often takes poor angles which is a cause for concern given his speed. Team leader that fills holes nicely, but also struggles to get off stronger blockers once engaged. An above average cover man, Morrison can be an every down linebacker. He is more of a scheme player and can be used mainly as a Middle backer in a 4-3. As of now he looks to be a mid-round pick with rotational use. The productive linebacker is also a Senior Bowl commit.
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, #1 (Junior)
Hargreaves to most evaluators is the top corner in the draft. A top recruit that produced from day 1, Hargreaves has elite ball skills. He can completely shut off one side of the field when he is on his game. With above average speed and fluid hips he doesn’t have a problem running down the field and breaking up passes. He can play bump and run or jam you at the line of scrimmage making him scheme versatile. There is no real weakness to his game and he should be no worse than a top 20 pick.
Others to watch:
Mason Halter, OT, #75
Trip Thurman, OG, #63
Valez Showers, WR, #10
Demarcus Robinson, WR, #11 (Junior)
Alex McAllister, DE, #14 (Junior Declared, Suspended)
Brian Poole, CB, #24
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