TODAY
Outback Bowl: Arkansas vs. Penn State, Noon on ESPN2
Arkansas: DT #99 John Ridgeway transferred in from the FBS level. He has NFL size, and he received a Senior Bowl invite…LB #10 Bumper Pool is the best of an active Hog linebacking corps. He was top 10 in the country in tackles (120). His combine testing will be important for his draft stock. Right now, he’s a Day 3 pick…DB #21 Montaric Brown was First-team All-SEC by leading conferences in INTs (5). Some of the INTs were a factor of right place, right time but he can be a physical player. Potential Day 3 selection…WR Treylon Burks and DE Tre Williams have opted out.
Penn State: WR #5 Johan Dotson is a really good WR that is dynamic with the football. He has plus body control and competitiveness which equals a bigger catch radius than his size would indicate. He’s fast and crafty with natural skills once the ball is in his hands. He might be a steal in Round 2…S #1 JaQuan Brisker is the best box safety in the class and he’s really improved his pass coverage this year. He’s physical, talented, and played with nagging injuries, which scouts will like. It appeals to his toughness and leadership traits. He has very good instincts and trusts them. Early Day 2 with the potential to be selected in Round 1…CB #5 Tariq Castro-Fields hasn’t consistently played up to his potential this year but he’s a draft pick because of his upside. He has really good feet, plus size (6’1, 194 lbs), and played well against Ohio State’s talented wide receivers…DE #17 Arnold Ebiketie transferred from Temple and has had a great season (52 pressures, 18 TFL & 9.5 sacks). He was consistent all year and active in big games. He’s effective because of his hand usage and quickness. He’s decent against the run but setting the edge may be difficult for him in the NFL game. Potentially Day 2 or early Day 3…LB #40 Jesse Luketa has some positional versatility because of his rush skills, and he offers leadership traits that NFL scouts will like. He’s a draftable player that we’ll look at deeper at the Senior Bowl…LB Brandon Smith and LB Ellis Brooks have opted out.
Citrus Bowl: Kentucky vs. Iowa, 1 p.m. on ABC
Iowa: C #65 Tyler Linderbaum is the best center in college football. He’s not going to be for everyone because he’s not very big (current Charger Corey Linsley is a good comparable). He’s a former wrestler and started his career on defense. Uses that experience to play with leverage, athleticism, and toughness. First-round selection.... LB #31 Jack Campbell is a big kid, who has a frame that can add solid NFL weight. Plays weakside LB for the Hawkeyes but he has scheme versatility. He’s 2nd in the conference in tackles (129). If he declares he’s a Day 2 pick...CB #8 Matt Hankins has good size and offers value against the run. He can be a ball hawk, but he has limited experience with man coverage. Round 3 selection...CB #33 Riley Moss is a gamer and a good college football player. Doesn’t have ideal CB athleticism but projects as a back of the roster depth player...TE #84 Sam LaPorta has very good size, he is a crafty route runner, and he’s tough over the middle. The TE leads the Hawkeyes in receiving. Good player...G #64 Kyler Schott is a really solid college guard. He’s strong in the run game, good hands. Questionable size for the next level but he’s a late draft pick…RB Tyler Goodson has opted out.
Kentucky: RT #70 Darian Kinnard is considered a top prospect. I think he needs better balance and awareness for an NFL tackle, especially as a high draft pick. But I think he could be very good at guard (ex. Seahawk, Gabe Jackson). He can be a dominating run blocker. I think he’s a Day 2 pick.…DE #4 Josh PaschaI is a 3-year captain who’s had a productive career (Second-team All-SEC this season). He’s a bit of a tweener which makes him a late 3rd Round or early 4th Round pick...S #29 Yusuf Corker is another experienced player that offers balance from his safety position. He’s a draftable player and will be at the Senior Bowl…DT #50 Marquan McCall has had issues controlling his weight (6-foot-3, 379) and staying on the field. But when he's locked in, he's very good. Needs to play at 30 pounds lighter.…C #79 Luke Fortner was First-team All-SEC this year and was very effective. He has over 35 career starts across the interior line. Good depth selection that will play himself into a starting role at the next level…RB #24 Chris Rodriquez Jr. was second in the SEC in rushing. He doesn’t offer a ton in the pass game, but he runs hard, shows good balance, and has plus size. He does a good job getting what’s blocked and the good news is that the Kentucky offensive line can create bigger holes than your local excavation company. But I see him as a Day 3 pick because he lacks significant juice or wiggle.
Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State, 1 p.m. on ESPN
Notre Dame: DE #7 Isaiah Foskey is a player to watch, I think he’s going to be a good one. He has a plus frame (big guy with room for more size) and the physical traits are there to become a really productive player in the NFL. He has 10 sacks and 5 FF this season. He’s a Day 2 pick right now with potential to slip into Round 1…C #55 Jarrett Patterson has some versatility, having played multiple positions across the line, but his future in the NFL is at Center. He’s effective taking angles to square off his defender in the run game and uses his size to get extension in pass pro. In summary, good against the pass and best in a zone scheme where his length and athleticism can be utilized. The Patriots haven’t taken an ND lineman in a long time, but his versatility is attractive to the back end of an NFL roster. He’s a top 5 Center in the draft, likely Round 4-5…S Kyle Hamilton and RB Kyren Williams have opted out.
Oklahoma St: LB #20 Malcolm Rodriquez is the leader of the Cowboys defense that has carried the team this year, is a tackling machine (finished 2nd in the conference with 107 tackles). He would be a good depth player for the Patriots in a Larry Izzo role...G #72 Josh Sills is a great run blocker, has some pop when he hits. His challenge will be against athletic rushers. He’s worth a late-round pick, brings the nasty attitude many teams desire, but will need to earn his way on the field...G #70 Hunter Woodward is another late-round NFL prospect...S #31 Kolby Harvell-Peel is more of a box safety who can be physical in the run game and cover college TEs. Potential Day 3 player.
Rose Bowl Game: Ohio State vs. Utah, 5 p.m. on ESPN
Ohio State: WR #2 Chris Olave is a smooth player and uses savvy route-running skills to get open. I don’t know if he’s true WR1 at the next level, but I think he’ll play in the league for a long time (like current Ram, Robert Woods)...WR #5 Garrett Wilson is a first-rounder. He’s a three-level threat with elite ability to separate…TE #88 Jeremy Ruckert is an underrated prospect because of offensive scheme and skill within the program. But he battles blocking and is athletic enough to get open in the passing game. Top 100 selection…DT #92 Haskell Garrett has a knack for making big plays, but he doesn’t always play consistently. His game is based on penetration which wouldn’t make him a fit for the Patriots scheme...T #78 Nicholas Petit has first-round potential. He needs to improve his anchor and awareness, but he’ll be selected in the first 45 picks…DE #11 Tyreke Smith has the physical package, and he’ll flash at times, but he hasn’t put it together consistently. He’s a rotational player at the next level…G #75 Thayer Munford has over 45 games for the Buckeyes. He has NFL size and he’s played both Guard and Tackle at a high level. He projects as a really solid draft pick.
Utah: LB #0 Devin Lloyd might be the best linebacker in the class. We targeted him early as a potential selection for the Patriots, but he may not last that long. He has a really good combination of size, playing experience/leadership, and athleticism. The two-time Butkus Award finalist is a captain and known as a leader inside the program. He reminds me of San Francisco 49er Fred Warner or maybe even the upside of Colt, Darius Leonard…WR #18 Britain Covey is one of my favorite potential Patriot sleepers. He’s a tough kid, he reminds me of Braxton Berrios or hopefully Julian Edelman. He's a captain, an older guy who started his career in 2015. He’s known as a smart kid with a high GPA and mature (he’s married). He offers plus return ability (2,000 career yards) and at a minimum could be a replacement for current WR Gunner Olszewski….DE #42 Mika Tafau is a physical football player that leads the conference in sacks (3-time All-Conference)...TE #80 Brant Kuithe is the best receiving option for the Utes and All-Conference type player. But he’s going to need to add value in other places (special teams, as an H-Back) to make an NFL roster. His teammate (TE Dalton Kincaid) may end being a better pro…C #55 Nick Ford is a tough kid and has a lot of positional versatility having played all over the line. He plays with nasty demeanor and was First-team All-Conference…#1 LB Nephi Sewell may declare after the game. He’s a former walk-on who turned himself into First-team All-Conference. His brother, Penei Sewell, was the top pick for the Lions last year and his other brother, Noah Sewell, is a future first-rounder. Love the way Nephi plays.
Sugar Bowl: Baylor vs. Ole Miss, 8:45 p.m., ESPN
Baylor: S #8 Jalen Pitre is the Big 12 DPOY that fills up the stat sheet (70 tackles, 17.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 PBUs, 3 FF, 3 FR, 2 INT). Positionally, he’s a tweener for the NFL because of his size and much of his production comes in the box. He loves the game, constantly makes plays, team captain, etc. I don’t think they will target him at the end of Round 2 or early Round 3 but he does exhibit Patriot traits. He reminds me of Tampa Bay safety, Antoine Winfield, Jr…NT #62 Api Ika is Big-12 Defensive Newcomer of the year. He’s a big nose tackle (6-foot-4, 350 pounds) at the next level. His ceiling would be a player like former Bengal, Domata Peko. Given the snaps would be limited, albeit important plays, he’s a Day 3 pick at this point. This is an area of depth the Patriots need and value…T #76 Connor Galvin was Big-12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He’s a good pass blocker with ideal tackle length. Draftable player...LB #2 Terrel Bernard has had a productive career for Baylor, capped by being selected First-team All-Big 12. He’s undersized for a LB but really excels at track and trace tackling. He’ll need to answer injury questions but he’s likely a 3rd or 4th rounder…RB #7 Abram Smith is the very definition of a 3-way player. He was a starter at LB last year before moving to RB this year and winning the starting role. He averages 6.2 YPC for 1,429 yards this season. He’s not a top RB prospect, nor a top LB prospect, and that will scare some teams. But he runs with force and those inside the program say he’s a tough leader. Teams that value versatility and special teams, like the Patriots, will pick him.…WR #9 Tyquan Thornton is a potential late-round pick and was Second-team All-Big 12.
Ole Miss: QB #2 Matt Corral leads the team in rushing with almost 800 rushing yards and 11 TD’s. Completing 68% of passes, almost 3,400 yards 20 TDs and 4 INTs. The elimination of interceptions has been a key part of his development. Historically, he has great stats, but he will mix in “blow up” games (think Ryan Fitzpatrick). He’s been much more consistent this year and he’s known inside the program as a great competitor and good leader. His size isn’t ideal, which should be a concern given his penchant and willingness to run for a first down. He’ll need to answer questions about the Ole Miss offense (it’s very simple compared to the NFL) and longer sideline throws at the next level. But he’s one of the top 2 QB prospects in the class and a first-rounder…Ole Miss looks to spread the ball around but when they are at their best they are moving the chains and then popping an explosive play. That’s WR #11 Dontario Drummond. He’s built like an RB and good after the catch. He reminds me of Deebo Samuel coming out of South Carolina. He’s the Rebels best WR and a potential sleeper target for the Patriots…DE #7 Sam Williams was First-team All-SEC and looks the part. He has the physical profile with good get-off and plus power. He’s been better against the run this year but still average. This is a good edge class for prospects, and he’s bunched in the middle (with some reported character concerns), so it’s difficult to project final evaluation but he’s somewhere between late Round 2 to early Round 5. He does have the ideal Patriots size, but they’d really need to get comfortable with the off-field questions.
TUESDAY
Texas Bowl: Kansas State vs. LSU 9 p.m. on ESPN
Kansas St: CB #23 Julius Brents hasn’t played consistently enough this year to be a top prospect but he’s a potential sleeper. He has a good combination of size (listed at 6-4, 204) with speed which makes it difficult to complete vertical routes. His press coverage skills need refinement but have potential. He’s not quite the standard mold for the Pats but does have similarities to former Patriot, Brandon Browner.
LSU: RB #3 Tyrion Davis-Price is a big back for college football (6-foot-1, 225 pounds). He’s powerful with good balance, especially in traffic, which makes him hard to tackle. He’s played well against good teams…G #70 Ed Ingram is a seasoned veteran. He’s a powerful player and can be dominant at times. Above-average athlete that can get to the right spots with his feet and good angles. Scheme fit will be important but he’s somewhere between Rounds 3-5…LB Damone Clark and DT Neil Farrell have opted out.