The Arkansas Razorbacks come into this year’s Liberty Bowl having rattled off five wins in their last six games including wins over Ole Miss, LSU, and Auburn in impressive fashion.
Led by Senior Quarterback Brandon Allen and a strong running game by Junior RB Alex Collins Arkansas is looking to finish the season strong. Kansas State struggled mightily at the start of the season going 3-6 then knocked off three straight teams to win their final three making them bowl eligible. Bill Snyder’s club has more question marks with their team and uncertainty who will start at quarterback. Arkansas’ balanced offensive attack should prove to be too much in this matchup. Here are some of the top draft eligible prospects in the Liberty Bowl.
By: Austin Baumer
Arkansas
Brandon Allen, QB, #10
Allen isn’t great in any one specific area, but he does almost everything well, at least at an adequate level to be relied upon at the next level. He has really improved himself over his senior year and went on a terror the last 4 games of the year. Allen is accurate and goes through his progressions. He has good field vision and has a good enough arm to make the intermediate passes. Look for Allen (29 TD passes) to attempt at tying the school record of (32 TDS) today. I would like to see Allen in the Senior Bowl to showcase his long ball and decision making versus the best in the country. He is currently a Shrine game commit.
Johnathan Williams, RB, #32
Johnathan Williams is more of a power back than elusive. A big, durable rusher who runs through defenders and has good lateral quickness. A between-the-tackles runner he won’t make many miss, but he will fight for tough yards. One of the top senior backs in the nation that had over 1,100 yards last year. Lost for the season due to foot injury. Williams has solid vision reading blocks and is patient enough to hit holes and hits holes hard. It’s worrisome to see where he fits as an every down back because he isnt the best in pass pro or as receiver in the check down. Williams is a Senior Bowl commit after coming into the season as arguably the nation’s top senior back.
Alex Collins, RB, #3 (Junior)
Collins rushed for over 100 yards in nine of the twelve games this season and joins Herschel Walker and Darren McFadden as the only SEC running backs to have 3-straight 100-yard rushing seasons. Collins is stout and strong between the tackles and uses his strong legs to blast through holes with a nice burst. Collins’ quickness is the best attribute to his game knifing through holes and has good balance to change directions. Collins is a complete back and if he tests well on speed he could rise into the 2-3rd round range.
Kody Walker, FB, #24
Walker is one of the best fullbacks in college football. He is asked to lead a heavy run attack through holes and he helped pave the way for two 1,000 yard rushers last year. Walker has a thick trunk and and has good functional strength to drive linebackers back leaving 1 on 1s for his running backs. When Walker is asked to run or catch the ball he has shown to be more than adequate at toting the ball.
Keon Hatcher, WR, #4
Hatcher is a very intriguing prospect that we looked forward to watching this season. However, he broke hs foot at the start of the season and it was hard to get an accurate assessment of his enior season to see how he progressed. Hatcher has good size for the next level and has shown a reliability to go across the middle and make secure catches. He isnt a burner, so putting him on the outside is a stretch.
Hunter Henry, TE, #32 (Junior)
Hunter Henry is the most complete tight end available this year if he opts to forgo his senior season. Henry, has great size and is a bulldog competitor. A poor man’s Jason Witten, Henry has strength at the point of attack and can set the tone on the edge in the running game, which can also be attributed to a strong edge. A mismatch in coverage for smaller safeties and slower linebacker (Henry has speed for a big man), Henry has a throwback tight end feel and produces all-around. Henry could be the first tight end off the board next year as high as the 1st-2nd round.
Sebastian Tretola, OG, #73
Tretola is a massive man that fits best in a rush first offense. Very powerful he uses his size and natural strength to drive defenders off of the ball. He uses his hands efficiently and overpowers most. He could use better footwork and agility when pulling around the edge. He is more than adequate in pass pro due to his strength and ability to sit and absorb power rushers inside. He lacks the bend that you would normally want and isnt overly athletic. If he loses leverage he can quickly become off balance. Very physical nonetheless, but his explosive run blocking at the point of attack is second to none in college football this year. A Senior Bowl commit.
Others to watch:
Mitch Smothers, C, #65
Demarcus Hodge, DT, #93
Rohan Gaines, S, #26
Kansas State
Cody Whitehair, OT, #55
Whitehair was named 1st team all-Big12 in 2015. Whitehair currently plays left tackle and shows the necessary punch, strength, and speed combination to make it stick at the next level. However, not having the best measurable may make him a better prospect at guard for the NFL. Whitehair has brute strength and hand placement that allows him to control defenders and get to the next level in the running game. He plays with a certain nastiness that you love to see in an offensive lineman and could be a top 50 pick in the upcoming draft. Whitehair’s versatility and ability to do everything well as a left tackle earned him a Senior Bowl invitation.
Dante Barnett, S, #22
Barnett has good size for an NFL free safety with astounding range to get to the ball. Barnett will sit at the top of zone coverage and make plays, or he can even take receivers in man coverage. That versatility will allow him to be at the least a solid nickel package cover man at the next level. Barnett will also come up in the box and is an above average hitter at the safety position. Look for Barnett to be a nice value pick late in the draft.
Morgan Burns, CB, #33
Burns is an interesting player, as he was 2015 Big 12 special teams’ player of the year and a 1st team all-American as a returner. On the defensive side of the ball Burns does make plays around the ball and has good instincts for the game, but struggles versus bigger receivers. He doesn’t display the natural attributes of a corner for the next level, but with his unique skill set on special teams he could make it onto the field as a nickel corner and do just fine thanks to his blazing speed. Burns will be drafted due to the impact he makes all over the field.
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