As the college football season winds down with one last splash of crashing hits and big plays during this bowl game stretch, the NFL draft season is only heating up.
Teams are loaded with big-name prospects that will hear their names called early in the draft. Meanwhile the second and third-tier prospects are playing for their eventual and hopeful NFL home.
As we near the beginning of a new year the bowl games leading up to and during New Years are notorious for being some of the best football of any kind you will see all season. For many of these players these games are the last chance they have to showcase their skill set to the scouts and start the chain of momentum to carry into the entire pre-draft process.
While you sit back and enjoy these wildly entertaining bowl games that will close out the 2015 college season, be sure to breakdown the “games within the games”, scouting out some of these prospects sure to be drafted in next April’s draft. Exactly where they will be drafted however, will be influenced by these final collegiate performance under the bright lights.
Check back daily as I continue to break down the day's best matchups and best prospects.
Chick Fil-A Bowl
Teams: Houston vs. Florida State
Date: Thursday, December 31st
Location: Georgia Dome Atlanta,GA
William Jackson, Cornerback, Houston
One of the top senior cornerbacks to be drafted, Jackson showed off his excellent instincts for the position with 14 passes broken up while adding three interceptions and two for touchdowns.
At 6’1” 195 pounds Jackson has the long arms and frame teams covet to defend NFL sized wide receivers while displaying excellent speed and quickness to keep up with them as well.
While this year's class of cornerbacks isn’t flooded with deep talent Jackson is pegged to be a solid day-two pick.
Jalen Ramsey, Free Safety, Florida State
One of the most electric prospects in the entire draft class, Ramsey has been Mr. Do-It-All since he started in the Seminoles secondary playing everything including linebacker, nickel cornerback, outside cornerback, and safety. Proving he wasn't just an outstanding coverage defender Ramsey was second on the team in tackles for loss last season with 14.5.
While his natural ability and talent suggest he could technically play cornerback in the NFL and be a damn good one, Ramsey's uncanny instincts and football IQ are far better suited to be maximized playing center field at the safety position.
In today's day and age of the pass happy league finding quality safety play is not only vital but becoming harder and harder to do. With Ramsey’s ability to become the next playmaking ball hawk in the NFL, his value only rises and is worth a top-5 pick.
A team like the Baltimore Ravens must already be praying to the football gods Ramsey is still available when they're on the clock as Ozzie Newsome surely sees some Ed Reed like qualities in his game, and would help turn their biggest weakness into a strength.
Nate Andrews, Strong Safety, Florida State
The more and more you watch this kid the more you can't help but fall in love. While Andrews doesn’t possess elite speed or athleticism it's his hardworking nature is something that coaches love and bleeds through to his teammates .
Andrews led his team in interceptions in back-to-back years while also leading the team in solo tackles. An excellent understanding of the Xs and Os while maintaining great discipline in his reads while in coverage, Andrews brings a lot of top notch qualities to both the field and locker room.
I am very interested to see just how high Andrews is drafted as he is still a bit of an unknown to the mainstream fan, yet could be a valuable piece to someone's secondary to be found later in the draft.
Keep an eye on his play during his final collegiate game and remember his name as the pre draft process starts to heat up.
Terrance Smith, Weak-Side Linebacker, Florida State
A highly productive player that has lined up at both strong and weak side linebacker replacing now Jacksonville Jaguar Telvin Smith. Smith is rangy and athletic enough to go sideline-to-sideline and hang with most tight ends and running backs however, for me and my money I like him shooting the gaps in the running game while watching him get downhill to the ball carrier.
Smith will likely hear many of his peer linebacker's names called before him at the position next April but, will be a solid value on day-three for a team that has the time to develop him while adding a key piece to their special teams.
Roberto Aguayo, Kicker, Florida State
It wouldn't be a true scouting report if I didn't throw in a special teamer but, Aguayo isn’t just any special teamer he is one of the best kicking prospects we have seen in some time.
A Lou Groza award winner (given to the country's best kicker) Aguayo was automatic for most of his career which his gaudy numbers can attest to.
A monster leg to go with deadly accuracy from any level and distance of the field, Aguayo plays with great confidence in himself and could be drafted on day-two given the state of the NFL special teams play this season.
Orange Bowl
Teams: Oklahoma vs Clemson
Date: Thursday, December 31st
Location: Sun Life Stadium Miami, FL
Zack Sanchez, Cornerback, Oklahoma
Six interceptions in just ten contests Sanchez is one of the best ball hawks in the nation who always finds a way to get his hands on a pass or two per game.
While he won't shy away from contact in the run game, Sanchez will be knocked and docked because of his brittle frame and size when it comes down to combine numbers.
A excellent cover corner who makes game changing plays Sanchez reminds me of former Ole Miss cornerback Senquez Golson who led the nation in 2014 with 10 interceptions. Both are undersized and considered a liability in many areas of the game but can add a playmaking dimension on any given snap.
Sterling Shepherd, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
In a pass heavy league Shepherd will have a lot of buzz heading up to the draft even though he is considered undersized at just 5’10”.
No matter for scouts though as Sheppard is too quick and explosive to ignore highlighted by catching 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns this season against Baylor.
An excellent prospect as a slot/inside receiver for some lucky team, Sheppard will add a little bit of everything to the playbook with his already outstanding route tree and footwork.
Eric Striker, Outside Linebacker, Oklahoma
16.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks will open some eyes of scouts and coaches as Striker was a big play machine for the Sooners defense.
Striker uses outstanding quickness to flash to the ball but, in a 3-4 defense was limited in his role and duties asked of him on a game-by-game basis. Such will be the case in the NFL where Striker will likely be limited to a 3-4 outside linebacker roll who can get after the quarterback around the edge and make a few splash plays in the backfield.
Skriker is too small and will get swallowed up when asked to stack-and-shed at the next level which is why he is handicapped to a late third-round ceiling. However, taking a shot on the kid anytime after that is well worth the risk in my humble opinion.
Shaq Lawson, Defensive End, Clemson
Tough to find many player more explosive at the position than Lawson this season as he put up some monster numbers around the edge and proved to be a consistent pass-rushing force more times than not.
Lawson even made potential top-10 pick and offensive tackle from Notre Dame Ronnie Stanley look downright silly notching three sacks on the day against him earlier this year.
Still raw in some areas though and will need to continue to add weight and strength but, Lawson is a dangerous player off the edge that can help any team get after the quarterback and make big plays.
While being drafted in the top-10 picks isn't impossible, I think the top-20 is a much more realistic landing spot for Lawson. Of course, he could help his case Thursday night against the Sooners and carry some big time momentum into the draft process with another solid performance.
Jayron Kearse, Safety, Clemson
To play safety in the NFL now a days simply isn't what it used to be and is a much more difficult task than players get credit for. Throw out the label of “free” and “strong” safety too because players have to have the ability to play both spots equally, being equipped to stop both the run and the pass.
The talent in the back end of NFL defenses is thin because of the needed to-do checklist by most accounts, which is why a raw prospect like Kearse is more than just intriguing for defensive coaches.
Kearse is a freak athlete much like his uncle and former Tennessee Titan defensive end Jevon Kearse, while still filling out his tall and long 6’4” frame.
However, Kearse does flash some “wow” ability a handful of times each game getting after ball carries in a hurry and showing off incredible range when the ball is in the air.
With natural NFL bloodlines and a plethora of raw talent, Kearse is a prospect that could watch his stock skyrocket during the weeks leading up to the draft and could cement his stake as a legitimate first-round talent on Thursday night against Oklahoma.
Mackensie Alexander, Cornerback, Clemson
Alexander seems to get lost in the shuffle from time-to-time at just 5'10" and that could continue as the pre draft process starts as he doesn't own the measurables like some of his peers that will flash during the combine.
What he does have though are a set of incredible tools at his arsenal he uses to shut down opposing wide-outs including great footwork, smooth hips, and a natural ability in man coverage.
He has been so good for so long many teams chose not to even look his way which is why he has seen some of his buzz cool off this season. Regardless, Alexander is one of the best cornerback prospects in this year's draft class and with his aggressive nature should showcase that one last time against the Sooners.
A key and fun matchup to watch will be Alexander lined up on the above mentioned Sterling Shepard as the two will be playing on Sundays in the not so distant future.
Cotton Bowl
Teams: Michigan State vs Alabama
Date: Thursday, December 31st
Location: AT&T Stadium Arlington, TX
Connor Cook, Quarterback, Michigan State
Due to the position he plays Cook will receive the majority of attention Thursday night for good and bad, but Cook has been one of the more solid quarterbacks in the country the past two seasons whether you like him or not.
With a lack of big-play talent surrounding him in the passing game, and coming from a run-heavy offense, Cook has shown some NFL type qualities to his game that will intrigue scouts and coaches enough to justify spending a first-round pick on him.
In fact, Cook was rumored to be selected in the first-15 picks of last year's draft had he declared but came back to refine some of his tools and fix some of his flaws.
The middle of round-one still seems like a reasonable landing spot for him (I have the Houston Texans taking him in my last mock draft) but, ending on a high note will be vital for Cook as he will have every scout and GM watching his game.
Shilique Calhoun, Defensive End, Michigan State
Defensive ends that can get after the quarterback have been bred and produced a ton the past five years because as we know in a passing league being able to disrupt the quarterback is the name of the game.
However Calhoun isn't just a pure edge rusher as he has refined his run stopping skills since wisley returning for another season, showing off above average strength to set the edge in the ground game.
Calhoun was a forced to be reckoned with in his last game played against the Iowa Hawkeyes for the Big-Ten title where he manhandled his competition throughout the night.
A top-40 pick seems more than reasonable for Calhoun who is one of the best defenders on an always stout Spartans defense.
Jack Conklin, Offensive Tackle, Michigan State
One of my favorite offensive line prospects in the class, Conklin started his journey out as a walk on and battled his way to become one of the best lineman in the country.
A first team All-Big Ten Conklin has excellent strength throughout his body and will add a physical presence to any team's running game.
While I don't think Conklin has the feet or quickness to stonewall people as a left tackle, I do think with him you are getting an outstanding interior lineman who will be one of the smartest and most football savvy players on your team.
Jack Allen, Center, Michigan State
Allen was an All-American in 2014 and while he doesn't boast the nasty strength or acceleration as some of his peers he does display what coaches love in a high motor that exceedingly outperforms expectations.
While his teammate Conklin gets most of the love and attention, Allen is every bit as important of a piece to the Spartans offensive line puzzle and has been so for all four years.
A sharp center when it comes to his keys and reads before the snap, Allen will be a low risk pick you can hope to develop into a long term starter given the proper strength training.
A’Shawn Robinson, Defensive Line, Alabama
Is he 22 years old, is he 38 years old, when looking at him it's hard to tell, so imagine trying to block him as Robinson is one of the most dominating interior lineman in the country with some grown man strength.
Robinson played well against both the run and pass under Nick Saban and still has loads of untapped talent to be molded. Saying that, it's still tough to say where on the defensive-line he is best suited but, both a five-technique in a 3-4 and three-technique in the 4-3 are plausible depending on your opinions on his best qualities and strengths.
Reggie Ragland, Inside Linebacker, Alabama
Poor Reggie, who is arguably the best pure and natural linebackers in the nation doing everything right, yet he will likely be overshadowed during most of the pre-draft process by guys like Jaylon Smith and Myles Jack who are more physically gifted athletes.
Ragland dominated inside the Crimson Tide's 3-4 defense as one of their inside linebackers and displayed an outstanding ability to defend the run and pass.
Ragland’s versatility to drop back in coverage, move sideline-to-sideline, and blitz the quarterback make him arguably one of the safest picks in the entire draft with one of the highest floors of any player.
Derrick Henry, Running Back, Alabama
Henry is one-of-a-kind at the running back position as he possess a unique tall frame at 6’2” and excellent burst blended with power.
He has been the focal point of Alabama’s offense throughout his career even receiving over 40 carries in the SEC title game proving he can carry an NFL workload at any given time.
While he is a Heisman Trophy finalist and has been one of the most productive tailbacks in the country, Henry’s critics fault him for running too tall and already having so much wear-and-tear on his body entering the NFL.
Regardless of his “faults” Henry should be the second running back taken next April behind only Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott.
Jonathan Allen, Defensive Line, Alabama
At times, Allen is dominant at the point of attack as he is tough to move off his spot and has the ability to get past his blocker with both strength and finesse.
After posting 12.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four pass deflections Allen has proven himself on a consistent enough basis to earn a starting spot on an often revolving door as a Alabama defensive lineman.
Keep an eye on Allen and his teammates as they shuffle in-and-out while setting up in a variety of spots against the two Spartan lineman mentioned above, Jack Allen and Jack Conklin.
Jarran Reed, Defensive Line, Alabama
While typically no one who plays at Alabama is considered an unknown due to their high volume of five-star recruits, Reed was certainly that as a JUCO transfer who started out slow early on.
Since then though, Reed has been downright dominant in the middle at the nose tackle position using his 313 pound frame plug up the middle and eat up blockers.
Of the three Alabama defensive lineman on this list you could argue Reed has been the best and should hear his name called on the first day of the draft.