MichaelWeston Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 South Florida (7-5) versus Clemson (6-6): MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL; Charlotte, N.C.; Noon ET; ESPN Clemson ALL PLAYERS POS HT WT GRADE POS RANK OVR RANK Da'Quan Bowers DE 6'4" 280 97 1 2 Chris Hairston OT 6'6½" 321 75 9 80 Marcus Gilchrist CB 5'10⅜" 193 72 13 91 DeAndre McDaniel S 6'0" 216 69 7 107 Jarvis Jenkins DT 6'4" 303 68 11 110 James Cumbie DT 6'7" 285 30 29 Byron Maxwell CB 6'0½" 203 30 33 Xavier Dye WR 6'4½" 210 30 56 South Florida ALL PLAYERS POS HT WT GRADE POS RANK OVR RANK Terrell McClain DT 6'1½" 298 80 8 62 Craig Marshall DE 6'4" 262 53 17 Sampson Genus OC 6'0" 317 30 16 Anthony Love WR 6'1½" 206 30 96 Dontavia Bogan WR 6'0" 186 30 103 Mistral Raymond S 6'1" 191 20 92 The historic Meineke Car Care Bowl, which just rolls off the tongue, features one of college football’s traditional rivalries in Clemson and South Florida. For those able to roust themselves by noon on New Year’s eve , there is reason to watch as Clemson junior DE Da’Quan Bowers (#93, 6-3, 280) has absolutely rocketed up NFL draft boards in recent weeks. Indeed, Bowers now appears to be the highest rated player at a position other than QB. Bowers actually arrived at Clemson as one of the top recruits in country and was a decent player early in his career, but has really raised his game this fall as he has rung up 15.5 sacks and 10 other tackles for loss. The Tigers also a pair of veteran second-day prospects in DT Jarvis Jenkins (#99, 6-3, 310), a big, physical run stopper with the quickness to get into the backfield, and FS DeAndre McDaniel (#2, 6-0, 215), who should be one of the first safeties off the board this spring. Meanwhile, OT Chris Hairston (#61,6-6, 325) is a solid second-tier RT prospect, as is CB Marcus Gilchrest (#12, 5-10, 190), although for the most part, Clemson is a very young team. South Florida had its best draft ever in 2010 when DE Jason Pierre-Paul and FS Nate Allen were 1st and 2nd round picks respectively by the Giants and Philadelphia. However, while the Bulls will field a veteran squad against Clemson, no one from USF is going to be selecetd anywhere near as early as last year's stars. Like Clemson, though, USF has some talent on its defensive front as both DT Terrell McClain (#97, 6-2, 305) and DE Craig Marshall (#94, 6-4, 260) are legitimate mid-to-late round prospects. USF also has a veteran offensive line anchored by C Samson Genus (#62, 6-2, 315) and OTs Jamar Bass (#63, 6-3, 295) and Jake Sims (#64, 6-5, 290), but none is more than a marginal prospect. Same for WR Dontavia Bogan (#81, 6-0, 190), RB Mo Plancher (#3, 5-9, 205), DE David Bedford (#58, 6-4, 245) and DB Mistral Raymond (#16, 6-0, 185). Notre Dame (7-5) versus Miami (7-5): SUN BOWL; El Paso; 2:15 PM ET; CBS Miami (FL) ALL PLAYERS POS HT WT GRADE POS RANK OVR RANK Allen Bailey DE 6'3½" 287 91 7 27 Brandon Harris CB 5'10½" 193 90 4 32 Orlando Franklin OG 6'6⅜" 318 83 1 49 Colin McCarthy OLB 6'2½" 240 73 9 88 Leonard Hankerson WR 6'2⅝" 213 59 18 145 Graig Cooper RB 6'0" 208 58 14 148 Demarcus Van Dyke CB 6'1" 185 47 25 Damien Berry RB 5'10¾" 210 39 23 Matt Bosher PT 6'0" 205 31 3 Joel Figueroa OG 6'4¾" 328 30 33 Richard Gordon TE 6'3⅜" 262 30 35 Ryan Hill S 6'0" 204 30 43 Kyle Robinson OLB 6'0¾" 233 30 52 Notre Dame ALL PLAYERS POS HT WT GRADE POS RANK OVR RANK Kyle Rudolph TE 6'5¼" 253 81 1 56 Michael Floyd WR 6'3¼" 215 75 10 82 Ian Williams DT 6'1½" 303 44 17 Darrin Walls CB 5'11½" 185 32 31 Robert Hughes FB 5'11" 247 30 8 Christopher Stewart OG 6'4" 352 30 20 Brian Smith OLB 6'3" 234 30 22 Armando Allen RB 5'9" 198 30 26 Kerry Neal DE 6'1" 237 30 36 Duval Kamara WR 6'3½" 222 30 82 The Irish and Hurricanes renew their often heated rivaly in El Paso, although its still a long way from the championhip type games these two storied programs played two decades ago as both teams have struggled in recent years. This year, for example, both limped in at 7-5 after proising starts. There isn’t really a question why Notre Dame as struggled over much of the past two decades as the program has been characterized by a lack of special talent. Indeed, while the Irish still always seem to recruit well, Notre Dame hasn’t had a player taken among the top 10 picks at an NFL draft since 1994 and had a total of only 2 players selected in the opening round - neither in the first 20 picks - in the past decade. The former streak isn't likely to change this coming April, however, Notre Dame does have a legitimate first round prospect in junior WR Michael Floyd (#3, 6-3, 220), a physical receiver with excellent hands and route-running skills. The Irish also hope to have DT Ian Williams (#95, 6-2, 305) back in the lineup against Miami after he missed the past four games with a knee injury. If healthy, Williams is a solid run-stuffer with a mid-round grade. Unfortunately, the Irish won‘t have star junior TE Kyle Rudolph available as he remains out with an injury. The Irish, though, do have some senior depth including RB/FB Robert Hughes (#33, 5-11, 245), OG Chris Stewart (#59, 6-5, 345), WR Duval Kamara (#18, 6-3, 220), OLB Brian Smith (#58, 6-3, 235), and SS Harrison Smith (#22, 6-1, 215), all of whom should get late round or free agent interest. Things haven't been much better at Miami which fired head Randy Shannon at the end of the season after a promising start. Like Notre Dame, Miami just hasn't had the talent of late; certainly not as they did in the early 2000s when the Hurricanes dominated the NFL draft. The Hurricanes, though, figure to get back into this year‘s opening round - if not the top 10 - as DE Allen Bailey (#57, 6-4, 290) has been one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in college football. Junior CB Brandon Harris (#1, 5-11, 195), a physical cover corner with decent recovery speed, could also get some late first round consideration if he opts to enter the upcoming draft, while junior OLB Sean Spence (#31, 6-0, 220) is another emerging Miami defensive star, although he is not all that big but can really run to the ball as well as deliver a payload when he gets there. Meanwhile, WR Leonard Hankerson (#85, 6-3, 215) should be one of the first senior wideouts off the board this spring, somewhere on the second day, while OT Orlando Franklin (#74, 6-6, 320), MLB Colin McCarthy (#44, 6-2, 235) and TE Richard Gordon (#84, 6-4, 265) have later second day potential. Other Miami players with later round or free agent grades include RB Damien Berry (#20, 5-10, 220), CBs Ryan Hill (#13, 5-11, 205) and DeMarcus Van Dyke (#8, 5-11, 180), FB Patrick Hill (#30, 5-9, 255), and P/K Matt Bosher (#25, 6-0, 205). And for future reference, check out true freshman RT Seantral Henderson (#77, 6-7, 355) who should be a very early pick in 2013 or 2014. Georgia (6-6) versus Central Florida (10-3): LIBERTY BOWL; Memphis; 3:30 PM ET; ESPN Georgia ALL PLAYERS POS HT WT GRADE POS RANK OVR RANK A.J. Green WR 6'4" 208 97 1 5 Justin Houston OLB 6'3" 254 89 3 33 Clint Boling OG 6'4" 304 78 2 69 Brandon Boykin CB 5'10" 183 76 11 75 Shaun Chapas FB 6'2" 234 51 2 Kris Durham WR 6'4½" 210 42 32 Akeem Dent ILB 6'1" 233 36 13 Josh Davis OT 6'6¾" 298 30 23 Demarcus Dobbs DE 6'2½" 283 30 42 Chris Davis OG 6'3½" 285 30 42 Darryl Gamble OLB 6'1" 251 30 42 Kiante Tripp DT 6'4½" 282 30 50 Vance Cuff CB 5'11" 180 30 61 Brandon Wood DT 6'1" 281 30 72 UCF ALL PLAYERS POS HT WT GRADE POS RANK OVR RANK Jah Reid OT 6'7" 320 57 13 Bruce Miller ILB 6'1½" 246 30 33 Kamar Aiken WR 6'0½" 218 30 88 Jamar Newsome WR 6'0½" 201 30 104 Speaking of things not going quite according to plan, Georgia is another tradtionally strong college team in search of an identity after barely qualifying for the bowls with a 6-6 record. The Bulldogs, though, may get some consolation at the 2011 draft where junior WR A.J. Green (#8, 6-4, 205) is expected to be a 5 pick despite being suspended for the first 4 games of the season for violating NCAA rules regarding benefits from an agent. Green, who could be joined in the opening round by junior OLB Justin Houston (#42, 6-3, 260), who has 10 sacks and 8.5 other tackles for loss this fall; Houston has been known to have an inconsistent motor at times in the past but when turned on is one of the most dangerous edge rushers in the nation. There are also rumblings that both oft-injured LT Trinton Sturdivant (#77, 6-5, 315) and OG Cordy Glenn (#71, 6-5, 320) could enter the upcoming draft. Meanwhile, veteran offensive lineman Clint Boling (#65, 6-5, 310), who has played both OT and OG this fall - often in the same game - is one of the most athletic, technically solid blockers in college football at either position. For good measure, UGA also has one of the country's best kicking duos in junior P Drew Butler (#13, 6-2, 205), arguably the nation’s top punter, and junior PK Blair Walsh (#57, 5-9, 185), one of three finalists for last year‘s Lou Groza award. Other UGA seniors to watch include WR Kris Durham (#16, 6-4, 210), RT Josh Davis (#78, 6-5, 310), DE Demarcus Dobbs (#58, 6-2, 285), and LBs Akeem Dent (#51, 6-2, 233) and Darryl Gamble (#50, 6-2, 250). Ironically, unheralded Central Florida has the best record of the 8 teams playing in New Year's eve bowls. Unfortunately, UCF may also have the least talent of the eight for the 2011 draft, although DE Bruce Miller (#49, 6-2, 250) is a disruptive tweener with 29 career sacks including 7 in 2010 when he faced a lot of double-teaming. The Golden Knights also have a decent second-tier RT prospect in hulking Jah Reid (#6-6, 325). Meanwhile other UCF players with free-agent possibilities include WR Kamar Aiken (#81, 6-1, 220), G/T Abre Leggins (#66, 6-3, 325), DE David Williams (#48, 6-2, 235), DT Wes Tunuufi Sauvao (#94, 6-2, 300), and LB Derrick Hallman (#38, 6-0, 220). And for future reference, UCF has two outstanding sophomore DBs in CB Josh Robinson (#20, 5-9, 185) and FS Kemal Ishmael (#18, 5-11, 195). South Carolina (9-4) versus Florida State (9-4): CHICK-FIL-A BOWL; Atlanta; 8 PM ET; ESPN South Carolina ALL PLAYERS POS HT WT GRADE POS RANK OVR RANK Cliff Matthews DE 6'4" 263 70 13 102 Jarriel King OT 6'5" 308 68 11 112 Weslye Saunders TE 6'5" 268 65 6 124 Chris Culliver CB 6'0" 197 51 22 Patrick Dimarco FB 6'0" 232 30 11 Garrett Chisolm OG 6'5¼" 302 30 24 Ladi Ajiboye DT 6'1½" 273 30 31 Florida State ALL PLAYERS POS HT WT GRADE POS RANK OVR RANK Rodney Hudson OC 6'2½" 277 85 2 44 Christian Ponder QB 6'2" 221 72 6 94 Markus White DE 6'3½" 253 38 20 Ryan McMahon OC 6'1½" 282 32 8 Kendall Smith ILB 6'0" 233 30 24 Mister Alexander OLB 6'2½" 231 30 43 Tavares Pressley RB 6'0" 197 30 50 Given that the Chick-Fil-A Bowl just maybe the worst name of all the bowls lets just call this one the 'Consolation Bowl' as it features the losing finalists from the ACC and SEC conference championship games. If nothing else, facing an SEC defense should give Florida State QB Christian Ponder (#7, 6-3, 230) one last opportunity to get back into the national debate about the top prospects at the position for the coming draft if he‘s healthy after missing time, including the ACC title game loss to Virginia Tech, with a banged up elbow. When he did play this fall, Ponder wasn’t bad as he completed 62% of his pass attempts, including 20 for scores against just 8 picks, but his 2,000 total passing yards pale in comparison to figures posted by most of the other top-rated passers in the country. Still, Ponder figures to be one of the first half dozen or so players off the board at the position this coming spring. Same story for OG Rodney Hudson (#62, 6-2, 285) who isn't all that big, but is very quick and is a superb technician. Same story for veteran C Ryan McMahon (60, 6-1, 285). Meanwhile, junior LB Nigel Bradham (#13, 6-2, 245) is also a good one, while, DE Markus White (#98, 6-4, 265) and MLB Kendall Smith (#29, 6-0, 242) are solid enough veterans; the Seminoles’ best player on defense, though, is actually sophomore DE Brandon Jenkins (#49, 6-2, 235), disruptive edge rusher who erupted for 13 sacks this season. Meanwhile, South Carolina was somethng of an enigma this fall as the Gamecocks won the SEC East, but still may have only been the 5th or 6th best team in the entire conference given the strength of the SEC West. The best may be still to come for the Gamecocks, though, feature a couple of the best young offensive weapons in the country in true freshman RB Marcus Lattimore (#21, 6-0, 220) and sophomore WR Ashlon Jeffrey (#1, 6-4, 235). The Gamecocks also have a solid veteran DE in Cliff Matthews (#83, 6-3, 260), a second-day prospect for the upcoming draft, while CB Chris Culliver (17, 6-0, 200), arguably the team's best prospect for 2011 has been hampered by a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, OT Jarriel King (76, 6-5, 315) and DT Lado Ajiboye (#91, 6-1, 290) are later round types, while QB Stephen Garcia (#5, 6-2, 230) is a competent college QB, but is only a marginal prospect at the position for the pros. Some names. Bowers and Floyd both might fit needs. Green is my number one overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelWeston Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 There are a lot of guys today that I would be interested in knowing more about. Houston @ Georgia. Matthews @ SC. Franklin @ Miami. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 I'm looking forward to seeing Bowers play today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelWeston Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Any body have a good take on Floyd. If we did not go WR in round 1 would he be an option in 2? Round 1 Green Jones Blackmon Round 2 Blackmon (I doubt it but you never know at WR) Floyd Torrey Smith? Baldwin? Round 3+ Hankerson Pettis (2 guys that I see ranked much higher here by people I trust then the paid draftniks) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Allen Bailey looks slow and confused on most plays. Color me unimpressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 I only watched part of the Notre Dame game and saw Floyd drop 2 easy passes. Not that impressed with him. No way Blackmon slips to round 2. IMO he's ahead of Julio Jones now and may be a top 15 pick. If they take a WR in the 2nd round (still think you can probably wait until the 3rd), I want Pettis or Hankerson. Both are big, tall, physical and have #1 skills. Hankerson would be a first rounder in a typical WR class.[quote name='TrustNMarvin' timestamp='1293831713' post='955465'] Allen Bailey looks slow and confused on most plays. Color me unimpressed. [/quote] IMO he's got to make the switch to DT in the pros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengaled Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 [quote name='MichaelWeston' timestamp='1293828273' post='955452'] Any body have a good take on Floyd. If we did not go WR in round 1 would he be an option in 2? Round 1 Green Jones Blackmon Round 2 Blackmon (I doubt it but you never know at WR) Floyd Torrey Smith? Baldwin? Round 3+ Hankerson Pettis (2 guys that I see ranked much higher here by people I trust then the paid draftniks) [/quote] charles fisher was saying the other night that jonathan baldwin would be drafted before julio jones. according to him, jones is the guy who's being over rated currently (by most). yeah, it surprised me too. wow. with a quick check i just found out this kid is actually his cousin. you can take that any way you want to, but charles is a reputable guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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