There’s a growing trend among college players to opt-out of the “exhibition” bowl games to protect their NFL Draft status. A lot of programs will also lose players to the transfer portal, which has become college football’s version of free agency. In short, we’re accounting for publicized “opt-outs”, but it often doesn’t get announced prior to the games.
TODAY
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Tulsa vs. Old Dominion, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Tulsa: T #71 Chris Paul has started 40 games in his career and has some positional versatility. We’ll take a deeper look at him at the Senior Bowl.
Old Dominion: No notable prospects this year.
TUESDAY
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Kent State vs. Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
Kent State: QB #7 Dustin Crum was first-team All-MAC and known as a good leader. He’s had a productive career but has a longer delivery with an average arm. He’s a free agent signing unless he does well in the College All-Star circuit next month.
Wyoming: LB #48 Chad Muma is a former safety who’s had a big year (129 tackles). Many that have closely scouted the Wyoming program, think he's better than current Cincinnati Bengal (and former teammate), Logan Wilson. He plays with good size, instincts, and he can move/chase. He’s potentially a 2nd rounder.
Frisco Bowl: UTSA vs. San Diego State, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
UTSA: CB #3 Tariq Woolen is 6-foot-3, 206 pounds with speed to burn. He’s moving up draft boards because of his physical traits. Potential a top 100 pick and he’ll be at the Senior Bowl...S #0 Rashad Wisdom is an All-Conference player and will get an NFL look. Although he’ll be suspended for the first half for a targeting call…T #74 Spencer Buford is a Senior Bowl invite and draft candidate…RB Sincere McCormick has already opted out.
San Diego St: DE #99 Cameron Thomas is a top 75 player before scouts start to fall in love. He is the MWC DPOY, leading in sacks (10.5) and TFL (20). He’s a good player and he could jump up draft boards and land in the first round...CB #9 Taylor Hawkins a Round 4-6 prospect at a position of need for the Patriots…P #2 Matt Araiza is the best punter in the country.
WEDNESDAY
Armed Forces Bowl: Army vs. Missouri, on 8 p.m. on ESPN
Army: No notable prospects this year.
Missouri: RB #1 Tyler Badie was First-team All-SEC and 3rd in the country in rushing with 1,600 yards. At first glance, he profiles as a solid 3rd down back at the next level given his quickness, size, and pass-catching ability. He does run hard, shows patience, and can be explosive once he gets past the LOS…CB #26 Akayleb Evans is a long, fluid player with the size (6-foot-2, 198 pounds). Almost every program in the country was recruiting him this offseason when he transferred from Tulsa. The knock on him is that he doesn’t produce enough game-changing plays and can be beaten via route combinations. Patriots will be drafting a corner(s) this cycle and Evans is one they’ll evaluate with a Day 3 grade…C #55 Michael Maietti is smart, quick, and athletic. He’s started over 40 college games after beginning his career at Rutgers. From an NFL perspective, he’s not physically imposing (6-foot-1, 290 pounds) and he's more of a finesse player.
THURSDAY
Gasparilla Bowl: Florida vs. UCF, 7 p.m. on ESPN
Florida: CB #5 Kalir Elam has the traits to get drafted in the first half of Round 1 but he’s not always consistent and will take bad penalties. He was pretty good against Alabama (only two catches against 7 targets). He will get drafted high, but he hasn’t consistently played like a true lockdown corner…RB #27 Dameon Pierce has a very strong lower half and is expected to test well at the combine. He forces a lot of missed tackles and he’s a Senior Bowl attendee…DE #7 Jeremiah Moon is a Senior Bowl invite and potential draft pick. He’s been in the program a long time, has a great physical profile but hasn’t consistently produced…DE Zachary Carter has already opted out.
UCF: DE #1 Big Kat Bryant is an Auburn transfer who played a lot in the SEC and had a productive season for the Knights. He was First-team All-Conference with 14 TFL (2nd most in conference), 47 pressures, 6 sacks, and 50 tackles. He’s potentially a Day 3 selection.
Frisco Football Classic: Miami-Ohio vs. North Texas, TBA on ESPN
Miami-Ohio: S #21 Sterling Weatherford is a big safety who has plenty of size to put on some additional weight and play in the box or potentially match up with TEs at the next level. Day 3 prospect…DE #11 Dominique Robinson is more of an athlete than a refined rusher at this point, but the skillset is there. He started his career as a wide receiver. He’s accepted a Senior Bowl invite and it will be good to see him go against top competition.
North Texas: No notable prospects this year.
FRIDAY
Hawaii Bowl: Memphis vs. Hawaii, 8 p.m. on ESPN
Memphis: LG #56 Dylan Parham has played all over the line and that versatility will make him a good interior depth pick. He needs more consistency but he’s strong which allows him to be effective in the run game. He’s expected to play at the Senior Bowl…S #15 Quindell Johnson is a smart player who shows good versatility in his ability to play free safety, in the box, or cover the slot. Finds his way to the ball with 104 tackles and 10 PBUs…WR #4 Calvin Austin has opted out.
Hawaii: No notable prospects this year.
SATURDAY
Camellia Bowl: Ball State vs. Georgia State, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Ball State: WR #11 Justin Hall is a potential undrafted free agent for the Patriots in a slot role.
Georgia State: No notable prospects this year.
MONDAY, DEC. 27
Quick Lane Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Nevada, 11 a.m. on ESPN
Western Michigan: DE #1 Ali Fayad was MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He doesn’t have ideal NFL size for the edge, certainly for the Patriots, but he’s a productive player that has a good “win” rate. He’s a late draft pick or priority free agent with the hope that he’d contribute as a sub-rusher.
Nevada: WR #7 Romeo Doubs is very well thought of within the program as a hardworking, humble teammate. He’s more of an “X” wide receiver with great speed and good ball skills. He’s having a good season with 80 catches for 1,109 yards & 11 TDs…T #65 Aaron Frost projects better as a guard at the next level because he’s better in a phone booth than on an island. But he will punish those in the booth with him. Day 3 selection…QB Carson Strong and TE Cole Turner have already opted out.
Military Bowl: Boston College vs. East Carolina, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
BC: G #77 Zion Johnson is a solid, reliable player that played over 2,300 collegiate snaps. He is pretty athletic (played LT last season) which helps in the pass game, and he can be a bully in the run game. His best fit is in a zone-blocking scheme. Some projections have him as the first guard taken. I have others ahead of him but he offers the ability to start immediately…C #72 Alec Lindstrom is well thought of within the program, he has good bloodlines (brother is current Falcon & former BC Eagle, Chris Lindstrom), and he’s only the 4th player in BC history to be first-team All-ACC twice. The other three were Luke Kuechly, Anthony Castonzo, and AJ Dillon. Lindstrom does a great job using his athleticism to climb to the second level and recovers well but he may struggle against bigger bodies at the next level. Think Jason Kelce from the Philadelphia Eagles. I see him as a 4th rounder…RT #64 Ben Petrula isn’t the most athletic player, but he just gets the job done. He should be a late-round depth pick based on his experience and positional versatility…WR #4 Zay Flowers may declare after the season. He predominantly plays outside for the Eagles and may need to shift inside at the next level given his size but he’s a gamer and competes for balls. He is a deep threat with his speed. As of now, he’d be a Day 3 selection but if he does return for his senior season, he’d create a dynamic duo with QB Phil Jurkovec, who will be a top QB prospect next year.
ECU: No notable prospects this year.