A ton of changes with personnel and schedules, but these are the key games to end the week ahead of the semifinals:
TODAY
Pinstripe Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Maryland, 2:15 p.m. on ESPN
VT: The Hokies have 5 players who have opted out to focus on the NFL draft.
Maryland: S #18 Jordan Mosely has good coverage ability with decent size. Three-year starter who led the Terrapins in tackles this year. Potential Day 3 or priority free agent.
Cheez-It Bowl: Iowa State vs. Clemson, 5:45 p.m. on ESPN
Iowa State: RB #28 Breece Hall was BIG 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He has good balance, decent size, and is a decisive runner. He’s at his best moving forward vs. laterally. He traditionally needs carries to get going but can wear on a college defense. Although he’s not a gamebreaker, he does have speed at the second level. Day 2 pick – late second or third round…TE #88 Charlie Kolar is a red zone threat because of his height (6-foot-7). He’s not a great athlete but he’s effective using his leverage and craftiness at the top of routes. He has some focus drops. Early Day 3 selection. Also, watch his backup TE #11 Chase Allen who is also pretty good, and I expect him to get a chance in the NFL as well…LB #23 Mike Rose is a great college player and he’s the backbone of Coach Matt Campbell’s strong defense. He has the size for a SAM role in an NFL defense. He’s best against the run and I think he’s better off the ball. He's always active, good teammate, solid NFL pick that can contribute on special teams early…DT #58 Eyioma Uwazurikae has NFL size, either as a 3-4 end or traditional 4-3 DT (with some additional heft). He’s not a great athlete but he’s tough to move, anchors well, and plays relentlessly. He’s a Day 3 pick with potential to move up with a strong Senior Bowl.
Clemson: CB #23 Andrew Booth has good, aggressive ball skills and great balance coming in and out of breaks. He needs to improve his technique but he’s a smooth athlete with ideal size and the skill set that will attract NFL coaches. He should be selected in the first 45 picks...CB #31 Mario Goodrich was First-team All-ACC and a Senior Bowl invite. He’s a Day 3 pick as of now…LB #47 James Skalski has been around forever (has played in 5 ACC Championship games) and was a First-team All-ACC. He may be a late-round pick, otherwise he’ll be a priority free agent. Not sure he has the athleticism to play at the NFL level, but he has a ton of experience and leadership. DE #3 Xavier Thomas is expected to be a Day 3 selection…WR Justyn Ross has opted out.
Alamo Bowl: Oregon vs. Oklahoma, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN
Oregon: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and WR Devon Williams have opted out of the game. T #71 Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu has declared for the draft but is expected to play. He needs some seasoning, but the best parts of his game are his size and athleticism in run blocking. Day 3 pick…S #23 Verone McKinley has only average speed and size, but he plays with good toughness and recognition. He led the country in INT (6) and was 2nd on the team with 72 tackles. He has a knack for making key plays in key moments, as 6 of his 11 career picks have come in the end zone. Patriots will be attracted to his play recognition (son of a high school coach) and versatility. I think he’s a 4th round selection…C #78 Alex Forsyth’s game is all about technique, much like current Patriot David Andrews. He does a good job with hand placement, recovery, and getting to the second level when on the move. He’s an under-the-radar prospect that would provide good value as a Day 3 pick.
Oklahoma: RB #26 Kennedy Brooks sat out last season due to COVID concerns, but he was the lead back at Oklahoma in 2018 & 2019 (ahead of current Patriot Rhamondre Stevenson & 49er Trey Sermon). I like Kennedy because of his size and production. He’s patient, trusts his vision and is smooth in his cuts. Brooks will be a top 75 player…G #54 Marquis Hayes was First-team All-Big-12 and Senior Bowl invite. He’s a 3-year starter who is physical and smart. Day 3 selection…H-Back #27 Jeremiah Hall might be the top H-Back in the country. He has versatility to line up over the field. Day 3 pick…DE Nik Bonitto, DE Isaiah Thomas, DT Perrion Winfrey, and Brian Asamoah have already opted out.
THURSDAY
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: North Carolina vs. South Carolina 11:30 a.m. on ESPN
North Carolina: QB #7 Sam Howell came into the season projected as a potential top pick, but he hasn’t had the year UNC hoped. He’s a good athlete, he was forced to run a lot more and broke a ton of tackles (63). NFL teams will love the competitive aspect of his game. He kept battling all year and showed good composure. He was inconsistent throwing the ball and locks onto his receivers more than I’d like (that’s common in college but the scheme is already simplified). A good comparison is a slightly thicker Baker Mayfield…RB #19 Ty Chandler is a Tennessee transfer who has good size (6-foot, 210 pounds), balance and doesn’t waste time picking his hole. He does have the ability to break a big play and has good speed for his size. Evaluators will like his past SEC production and was Second-team All-ACC. A good comparison would be former Patriot, Steven Ridley…LB #44 Jeremiah Gemmel is a two-time team captain, All-ACC, and Senior Bowl invitee. He’s a draftable player.
South Carolina: CB #12 Jaylan Foster was First-team All-SEC and second in the country with 5 INTs. He led the Gamecocks with 90 tackles from his CB position. He’s earned his reps throughout his career, starting at Gardner-Webb and then walking on at South Carolina…DE #7 Jordan Strachan had a big year last season at Georgia State (10.5 sacks) and looked like a mid-round prospect. However, he hasn't produced enough this year. He’s still on scouts’ radar but nothing more than a potential late-round flier…DE Kingsley Enagbare and RB ZaQuandre White have opted out.
Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Purdue 3 p.m. on ESPN
Tennessee: RT #69 Cade Mays can play every position on the line and has almost 40 starts within the SEC. He’s generally played well this year (second team All-SEC). We watched him close in the Georgia game and he was generally effective but has some concentration lapses. Day 3 selection…WR #1 Velus Jones Jr. has dangerous return skills and is good out of the slot. One of the better YAC players in the draft. He was First-team All-SEC…CB Alontae Taylor has opted out.
Purdue: The Boilermakers' top prospects, DE George Karlaftis and WR David Bell have opted out. No other notable draft prospects.
Peach Bowl: Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh 7 p.m., ESPN
Michigan State: DE #96 Jacub Panasiuk had 66 pressures this year and was second-team All-Big Ten. He’s a tough player, has a lunch pail mentality that has served him well over the last few years…S #3 Xavier Henderson is one of the most experienced players on the Spartan defense. He’s productive but he doesn’t have NFL speed which will limit his draft stock. He’ll be at his best in the box with the ability to cover tight ends…FB #11 Connor Heywood is one of the best fullback prospects in the draft. He’s the son of Craig “Ironhead” Heyward and his brother, Cameron Heyward, plays DL for the Steelers…RB Kenneth Walker III has opted out.
Pittsburgh: TE #7 Lucas Krull was Second-team All-ACC with an enticing physical profile (6-6, 260). He’s not good enough as a blocker to be selected any earlier than late on Day 3…QB Kenny Pickett and CB Damarri Mathis have opted out.
Las Vegas Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Arizona State 10:30 p.m. on ESPN
Arizona St: LT #74 Kellen Diesch started his career at Texas A&M, but he’s been productive since arriving in Tempe. He allowed only 7 pressures all season. He’s a Day 3 selection…LB #20 Darien Butler is a captain and was a Butkus Award semifinalist. He could add value on special teams and in pass coverage …DE #41 Tyler Johnson led the team in sacks, but his best NFL trait is that he’s stout against the run. He could be a depth player with good positional size…RB Rachaad White, CB Chase Lucas, CB Jack Jones have opted out.
Wisconsin: LB #5 Leo Channel is a throwback inside linebacker; big, bruising, and tone setting. He missed the first couple games this year but was voted Big Ten LB of the Year. Given his size (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) he’ll need to continue to prove himself in the passing game, but he hasn’t been a liability this year…LB #57 Jack Sanborn was First-team All-Big 10 and a team leader. Good instincts, tough player and very good against the run. He would be a liability in man coverage. He’s a 3rd or 4th rounder…TE #84 Jack Ferguson was first-team All-Big Ten and the best receiving option for the Badgers. He’s good route runner, with solid hands that will get drafted as a developmental tight end. He’ll need to contribute on special teams to secure a roster spot. Day 3 selection…RT #60 Logan Bruss is an experienced, All-Big 10 player. He has played tackle in his career, but his pro-outlook is tied to guard. He’s a typical Wisconsin lineman; not a dancing bear but he is strong, physical, and well-coached. Potential to make it into the top 100 picks.
FRIDAY
Gator Bowl: Rutgers vs. Wake Forest, 11 a.m. on ESPN
Rutgers: WR #18 Bo Melton is a four-year starter, a multi-year captain, and well thought of within the program. He’s good with the ball in his hands and offers return skills. He’d likely be a more well-known name if he wore a different helmet (Editor's Note: What's that supposed to mean, Field?!)…LB #3 Olakunle Fatukasi has been out with a hamstring injury and will be questionable for this game. He’s a good college linebacker that has prodigious tackling numbers. He’s a multi-year captain that’s known as being a “student of the game” and he has the size Patriots like in their linebackers. That said, he’s not overly athletic (testing will be important) and in the game we studied this year, Michigan State was able to expose some poor reads. He’s a potential late-round selection.
Wake Forest: WR #5 Jaquarii Roberson is a good slot player and that’s a position I expect the Patriots to target on Day 3. Roberson will be part of their evaluation. He has some similarities to current WR Jakobi Meyers…T #50 Zach Tom was first team All-ACC and he’s a good potential depth piece on Day 3. He’s smart, has tons of playing experience but he needs time in an NFL program.
Sun Bowl: Miami vs. Washington State, Noon on CBS
Miami: WR Charleston Rambo and DT Jonathan Ford have opted out. The Hurricanes have several talented underclassmen, but they’re expected to return.
Washington St: RT #72 Abraham Lucas was first-team All-Conference, and he has a ton of pass blocking experience. He has the physical profile to stay at tackle in the NFL. He’s a Day 2 selection…CB #0 Jaylen Watson started his career at USC before transferring to the Cougars. He’s big for a corner and well liked inside the program. We’ll cover him more after the Senior Bowl…RB Max Borghi has opted out.
(Semifinal previews will be separate.)