It may still be early in the bowl season but plenty of potential NFL-prospects have taken the field for the final time, hoping they did enough in their final game to improve their stock before a crucial offseason filled with testing, combines and workouts. Bowl games are the final chance for a player to take the field with his teammates and get one more win and hopefully come out on top. Here are the five players who improved their stock the most through the early bowl season.

5. Dion Bailey Strong Safety, Southern California

In a game that was supposed to be all about Derek Carr, the Trojans defense is the one that shined and a key part of the Trojans’ Las Vegas Bowl win was their defense and safety Dion Bailey. While Bailey has had a wild career at USC, switching from safety to linebacker and then back to safety, he really has found his home at free safety.

Bailey made plays all over the field on Saturday against Fresno State, both versus the run and pass. He came in several times against the run and helped sealed the edge and makes stops but really made his future money when playing in coverage with his nose for the football and ability to break up passes or even create an interception.

A few of Bailey’s nice plays were nullified by teammate’s penalties, but this was definitely the type of game that will make people go back and watch him this season, and he could push his draft stock into the second round.

4. Ryan Grant Wide Receiver, Tulane

While the 2014 NFL Draft class is loaded at wide receiver one name that is starting to gain attention is Tulane wide receiver Ryan Grant. Tulane had a chance to showcase Grant on national television to help their star wide receiver shine and improve his draft stock and that’s exactly what he did.

Even while dealing with uncertainty at quarterback between Devin Powell and Nick Montana, Grant still managed to have a big game finishing with seven receptions for 113 yards. While the numbers were impressive what really made Grant stand out this game was the big catches he made when Tulane needed to move the ball on third down.

Grant’s most impressive catch though came on first down when he got deep down the field and made a leaping grab between two defensive backs for a big 50-yard reception. Grant is only 6’1” but he is showing more and more the ability to fight for contested catches and bring them down. He may not be in the top group of wide receivers but Grant’s stock is on the rise and he can do even more when he arrives at the Senior Bowl.

3. Marqise Lee Wide Receiver, Southern California

Before the Las Vegas Bowl even kicked off I wrote about Lee and his fall from pre season draft love to now. Shoulder and knee injuries have hampered his play along with poor quarterback play, but none of that was a problem on Saturday against the Bulldogs.

What we saw was the explosive playmaker who just needed the ball in a little bit of space to create a big play.

Lee constantly found ways to get open and separate from the Bulldogs secondary using his speed and size, finishing the day with seven receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

His two touchdowns on the day matched his touchdown season on the year, as we finally saw a glimpse back into Lee’s real ability.

Lee was still banged up in the game, going to the sidelines to have his knee wrapped and taking some bumps and bruises, so this still wasn’t Lee at 100 percent. But in what will likely be his last game with the Trojans, Lee couldn’t go out in better fashion and his stock should rise again.

2. Davante Adams Wide Receiver, Fresno State

While his quarterback may have struggled to find success against the Trojans’ defense, Adams showed why he is a rising name in the draft community if he declares for the 2014 NFL Draft.

Adams has been Carr’s go-to man all season and on Saturday we saw the highlight reel catches by Adams as he finished the day with nine receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Adams’ touchdown is really a testament do one of his best skills, he has shown that even when he is being mugged by a defensive back and the ball may be thrown short, he has the ability to adjust his body and make the contested catch.

Adams is not only a big threat in the red zone with his size at 6’2” and 212 pounds and strong hands, but he also is very athletic with plenty of ability to beat the defense deep.

Adams led the nation in every major receiving category this year with monster numbers of 134 receptions for 1,719 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 24 touchdowns were nine more than the next closest player as Adams’ showed again and again just how dominant he could be.

1. Shaquil Barrett Outside Linebacker, Colorado State

I like to plan ahead and for this week’s “What You Need to Know About” NFL Draft prospect profile article, I was going to write about Shaquil Barrett.

I started watching him a little bit then Saturday arrived and Barrett was on national television in the New Mexico Bowl against Washington State. While Barrett may not be a great athlete he makes up for it with instincts, aggressiveness, and ferocious hands.

Barrett earned Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game honors and really helped Colorado State win the game thanks to his incredible play when he ripped the ball out of the running back’s hands and recovered the fumble.

Momentum immediately shifted in Colorado State’s favor, as they would go on to score on back-to-back possessions and win the game. Barrett has undeveloped potential as a pass rusher, but this type of game is something that can help convince scouts he is closer to being NFL-ready and worth a higher selection.