The college football regular season has been put to rest, and bowl season is here. Beginning on December 21st, teams will play one last game in 2013. A win, and despite the final record, the year is a success. A loss, and it was all a waste. Individually, some guys have even more riding on their bowl game. For those players looking to enter the 2014 NFL Draft, a good showing in their bowl game could go a long ways toward boosting their stock. Some players need that boost more than others, and the following ten would really benefit from ending the season with a bang.
10. Michael Sam-Defensive End, Missouri
Sam didn’t come into the season with a large amount of fanfare, but dominated the early part of the season. A terror to opposing quarterbacks, he was gaining the attention of both opposing offensive coordinators, but also of NFL scouts. At one point, he was in position to be selected within the first two rounds of the draft. However, in the SEC championship game against Auburn, he was a non-factor, and on a national stage. His stock has dropped, and he seems like a day three pick. Missouri will face a potent Oklahoma State offense, and a big day for Sam could put him back in the spotlight.
9. Stephen Morris-Quarterback, Miami
Before the season, Morris was highly regarded, considered by some the top Senior quarterback in the country. In possession of a huge arm, capable of making any throw, he looked the part of an NFL quarterback. He is also athletic, and consistently showed an ability to make plays with his feet when needed. Unfortunately, the season didn’t go as expected. Mechanically, he has struggled, and his accuracy has suffered. He needs to close out the season on a positive note, and going head-to-head with possible number one overall selection Teddy Bridgewater is a chance to do just that. If he can out-duel Bridgewater, scouts will certainly take notice.
8. Marqise Lee-Wide Receiver, USC
No receiver in the country was as highly thought of as Lee coming into the 2013 season. In 2012, the Trojan star exploded, and had the college football world abuzz with over 100 receptions, 1,700 yards, and 14 touchdowns. This season, however, hasn’t been what everyone expected. Lee has only broken 100 yards receiving twice this year, and only scored twice all season. Quarterback play has affected him in part. Injuries were another factor. USC will face an explosive Fresno State team in the Las Vegas Bowl and Lee will have a chance to leave scouts with one last monster game. He’ll probably be a first round selection in the draft no matter what happens. A big game to end the year, though, would only help his chances to be the first receiver taken.
7. Derek Carr-Quarterback, Fresno State
It seems as though Carr would have little to prove at this point. He posted nearly 5,000 yards passing with 48 touchdowns for the year, and is a possible top five selection in the draft. In doing so, he answered the critics who questioned him after a difficult 2012 season where his mechanics were bad, and he didn’t look like a top draft pick. However, even after a season better than any other quarterback in the nation, Carr still has doubters. He was snubbed by the Heisman committee, not even receiving an invite to the New York ceremony, and many question his numbers, citing a lack of top competition as the reason his numbers were so good. He’ll get USC in a bowl game, and though the Trojans aren’t the dominant team they once were, they are still top level competition. A big game should quiet some of those doubting voices.
6. Aaron Colvin-Cornerback, Oklahoma
The 2014 cornerback class isn’t as deep as the wide receiver class, but there is a lot of talent at the position. Colvin is a physical corner, and a talented one who teams have schemed around all season. This has led to fewer chances to make plays, which in turn has affected his draft stock. As some of the other, often speedier cornerbacks have risen up draft boards, Colvin has seen his slip a little. He’ll get a chance to make a lasting impression at the Sugar Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide. He’ll be tested in both the run game and the pass game. If Colvin plays well, he may be able to leap over a few of the guys in front of him and possibly make his way into the first round.
5. Brandon Coleman-Wide Receiver, Rutgers
Coleman came into 2013 oozing with potential. At 6’6” and 220 lbs, he has matchup nightmare written all over him. He broke out in 2012 with 718 yards and 10 touchdowns, and expectations were high for this year. Offseason knee surgery may have affected him, and sub-par quarterback play hurt. Whatever the reason, Coleman’s season hasn’t gone as planned. Through the end of the regular season, he has recorded just 33 catches for 484 yards and three touchdowns. Coleman’s size will still have NFL teams intrigued, but his inconsistency this year has him behind a lot of other prospects in a very deep receiver class. Rutgers will face Notre Dame in the Pinstripe Bowl and when the Scarlet Knight offense is on the field, all eyes will be on Coleman. If he can put on a show on a national stage, he can leap quickly up draft boards.
4. Jackson Jeffcoat-Defensive End, Texas
Like Alex Okafor before him, Jeffcoat has a ton of talent, but brings questions about scheme fit at the next level. He’s got great length, but at 250 lbs, he may lack the size to hold up at defensive end. He has registered some nice numbers as a Longhorn, including 10 sacks in 2013, but remains a mid-round prospect in the eyes of most. The Senior will get a chance to shine against one of the nation’s best offenses in Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. Jeffcoat’s draft stock probably can’t be improved by one game, but a great game can put a positive spotlight onto him going into the pre-draft season. If he can stand up against that kind of offense, maybe it can start to convince NFL teams that he can hold up at the next level.
3. Logan Thomas-Quarterback, Virginia Tech
Physically, few quarterbacks look the part more than Thomas. At 6’6” and 260 lbs, he looks like an NFL quarterback, and also has a great arm and the ability to make things happen when the pocket breaks down. However, his intangibles have come into question, and despite his physical advantages, he’s considered a late-round prospect. He began the 2013 year with a miserable performance against Alabama, and he has been mediocre the rest of the way. Scouts are looking for a reason to justify drafting Thomas, and having his best game of the season against UCLA in the Sun Bowl would be a terrific start. Scouts are going to fall in love with his measurable at his workouts, and if he can give them more good tape to watch, his stock may skyrocket.
2. Bradley Roby-Cornerback, Ohio State
Prior to this season, Roby was considered a lock to be a top ten draft pick. He possesses great speed, tremendous closing ability, and solid ball skills. His selection as the top cornerback was a foregone conclusion. Unfortunately, the 2013 season has changed things. After struggling with more than once receiver, and showing some holes in his game, he has taken a hit, and is ranked by many below several other cornerbacks who are on the rise. His tendency to gamble has been the big negative, having resulted in him giving up some big plays. However, he still has all the tools to succeed in the NFL. The Buckeyes will face Clemson in the Orange Bowl, and Roby will get a chance to show what he can do against Sammy Watkins, who is thought of by many as the top receiver in the draft. Roby is a first round talent, and if he shuts down Watkins, he still might be the first cornerback off the board in the draft.
1. Tajh Boyd-Quarterback, Clemson
Boyd is one of the most exciting and productive quarterbacks in college football. His draft stock, however, has varied from high in the first round to the third and fourth round by some. He has all the arm strength and athleticism a team could want, but he does have questions about his size and ability to go over the middle as a result. His mechanics are sometimes questioned as well. So what can Boyd do to be drafted as high as possible? Leave scouts with one last image of him dominating at the college ranks. Clemson plays Ohio State in the Orange Bowl, and Boyd will have the spotlight. He can’t change his height, but a big day versus the Buckeyes might force teams to reconsider their opinions of him, and he might make his way into the first round of the draft in 2014.