19 NFL draft prospects it is best to watch throughout school soccer bowl season

With bowl season proper across the nook, and the drive to the NFL playoffs heating up, there can be an amazing quantity of soccer to observe over the following few weeks.

However for followers of some NFL groups, playoff aspirations have given method in the direction of watching how the draft order is shaking out every week, and pouring by each mock draft to see if assist can arrive subsequent season.

In spite of everything, the NFL draft is simply that: Packaged hope. The hope that subsequent yr will really be the yr, and that only a few additions over the offseason, and within the draft, will make all of the completely different on this planet.

If that sounds such as you pricey reader, then you may want this. An inventory of the 19 draft prospects to observe this bowl season. If it’s essential to know when these sport are, in addition to how watchable they’re, now we have you coated there as effectively.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
CFP Semifinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Georgia

Photograph by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Pictures

Right here we go once more.

Whereas C.J. Stroud’s great season ended with private accomplishments, reminiscent of being named a Heisman semifinalist for the second-straight yr, he faces questions on his NFL future. Losses to Michigan the previous two years, coupled with the current success — or lack thereof — of Ohio State quarterbacks on the subsequent degree has introduced doubters to the fold.

Doubters he can silence with a high quality efficiency in opposition to top-of-the-line defenses within the sport.

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
CFP Semifinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Ohio State

One of many issues C.J. Stroud might want to navigate? The presence of Jalen Carter within the inside of the Georgia protection. Carter performs all around the defensive entrance for Kirby Good, and combines energy with quickness, making him a tough mixture to decelerate. Carter is probably the highest inside defensive lineman within the draft, and a reputation to observe for the highest of the draft. Proper now Carter is a fixed fixture inside the highest 5 of mock drafts, however might he solidify that with a robust efficiency throughout bowl season?

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
CFP Semifinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Ohio State

Photograph by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures

If Stroud is ready to navigate Carter contained in the pocket, his job isn’t carried out. He’ll additionally should stare down one of many prime cornerback prospects within the subsequent draft, Georgia CB Kelee Ringo. South Carolina’s Cam Smith has moved up draft boards along with his play this season, however Ringo started the yr atop many cornerback lists, because of his play final season for the Bulldogs. He’s a scheme-diverse cornerback, with the flexibility to play in press-man, but in addition the talents to play in off coverages. Plus, if he will get matched up in opposition to Marvin Harrison Jr., that can be must-watch tv.

Quintin Johnson, WR, TCU
CFP Semifinal on the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl vs. Michigan

The opposite semifinal sport presents some draft prospects to observe as effectively, however TCU WR Quintin Johnson in all probability tops the record. He suits the mould of a real X receiver, with the mix of dimension, pace, and power on the catch level to trigger issues for NFL defenses. Johnson additionally has the short-area quickness and route-running expertise to slot in any offensive system.

Notice: As we transition out of the playoff video games, there’s a probability the next gamers resolve to opt-out earlier than their bowl video games, and after publication.

Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Basic vs. Tulane

Final season with Pittsburgh, Jordan Addison helped Kenny Pickett develop into a first-round decide. This yr, Addison transferred to USC and helped Caleb Williams develop into a Heisman Trophy winner.

Now an NFL franchise may surprise what he can do for them subsequent yr.

Whereas Addison didn’t produce on the similar degree this season as he did with Pittsburgh, catching 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns, the traits are nonetheless there. He’s a fast, shifty receiver with sturdy fingers and the flexibility to separate in any respect ranges of the sphere.

Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Cheez-It Bowl vs. Oklahoma

Photograph by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures

Albany switch Jared Verse put collectively an amazing season for Florida State, rocketing himself up draft boards on the EDGE place. Verse tallied 7.5 sacks for the Seminoles this yr, and it didn’t take lengthy for him to have an effect in Tallahassee. In his first sport this yr, in opposition to LSU, Verse recorded a pair of sacks together with seven charted pressures, exhibiting the disruptive skill NFL coaches covet.

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Mississippi State

Illinois put collectively a run this season that positioned them on the cusp of a spot within the Large Ten Championship sport. Whereas they pale down the stretch, it was one among their greatest seasons in years, and their protection performed an enormous function. A part of that protection? Cornerback Devon Witherspoon. who recorded a career-best three interceptions this yr. Witherspoon is a real man protection cornerback, with the flexibility to match routes, change instructions rapidly, and lock down one facet of the sphere for a protection.

Felix Anduike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
Allstate Sugar Bowl vs. Alabama

Should you watched the Large-12 Championship sport, you seemingly noticed move rusher Felix Anduike-Uzomah within the TCU backfield early and infrequently. With good cause. Whereas Anduike-Uzomah didn’t match the 11 sacks he posted a season in the past, his 8.5 sacks this yr — mixed with the stress he placed on opposing passers and the traits he brings to the desk — makes him a participant to observe for the NFL draft. He’s a bodily, athletic move rusher with a motor that doesn’t cease.

Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse
Dangerous Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Minnesota

Photograph by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures

This sport incorporates a pair of proficient operating backs, in Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim and Sean Tucker from Syracuse. Ibrahim should play in opposition to Syracuse, however has additionally accepted an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl to showcase his draft inventory.

Supplied each gamers go, this sport is value waiting for each operating backs. We’ll deal with Tucker, who exploded on the school soccer season final yr for the Orange. A yr in the past, Tucker racked up 1,496 yards on 246 carries, scoring 12 touchdowns. He added one other 255 yards receiving, averaging over 12 yards per reception.

Tucker appears the a part of a three-down again on the subsequent degree, with the imaginative and prescient and footwork to be a risk within the run sport, however the monitor background to pose issues on routes to all ranges of the sphere.

John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Dangerous Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Syracuse

For years, the main focus alongside the offensive strains when it got here to the draft was on the perimeters. As NFL offenses seemed to counter the expertise that defenses would carry off the perimeter, groups seemed to search out tackles able to deal with life within the NFL.

Nevertheless, there was a shift the previous few years, for just a few completely different causes. As defenses have began to deal with inside stress as effectively, with mug appears and different inside stress schemes, discovering inside offensive linemen that may move block has develop into essential. Second, proficient defensive tackles have develop into issues for offenses, and inside stress may be very disruptive to the passing sport. Lastly, with offenses leaning into inside run ideas lately, reminiscent of Duo, including expertise on the within has develop into extra of a necessity.

That might be enormous for John Michael Schmitz, the Minnesota middle who has proven continuous development throughout his time on campus. Skilled and athletic, he might be a plug-and-play possibility as a rookie alongside many offensive strains.

Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. N.C. State

For causes which now we have already outlined, we stay mad on the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Nonetheless, you shouldn’t maintain that in opposition to Jaelyn Duncan, who proper now’s a fringe first-round prospect, in accordance with present mock drafts. However that might change over the following few months, starting with a robust efficiency in opposition to N.C. State on this sport. Duncan has good footwork, lateral-movement expertise, and method for the place. Mix that along with his dimension, and you’ve got a possible cornerstone deal with on the subsequent degree.

Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Basic vs. USC

Photograph by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Pictures

Tulane’s is likely one of the greatest tales in school soccer. After an early season domination of Kansas State, Tulane is within the Cotton Bowl dealing with Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams, and Dorian Williams is a big cause why. The 6’2 225 pound senior is so good in house and his consciousness in protection goes to come in useful in opposition to a USC group that has athletes at each place. He’s extra of a late spherical man, however might stand up boards with a stellar efficiency.

Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Tony the Tiger Solar Bowl vs. Pittsburgh

This upcoming RB class is enjoyable, and Charbonnet is one other enjoyable participant on this class. His contact steadiness and burst is among the many greatest on this RB class, and he has the flexibility to be an element within the run sport and the passing sport. “Bowling ball” will get thrown round so much, however Charbonnet is really a bowling ball, however a 28.2% damaged deal with and missed deal with fee is really being a bowling ball. Towards Pitt, Charbonnet has an opportunity the fly up draft boards even increased than he was earlier than.

Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, WR, Houston
Radiance Applied sciences Independence Bowl vs. Louisiana

Should you search for the definition of the phrase “electrical” within the dictionary, you’ll discover a photograph of Tank Dell operating away from defenders. The 5’10, 165 pound receiver completed second within the nation in receiving yards, third in catches and first in landing catches. Regardless of being a smaller receiver, Dell is lightning in a bottle who could make an enormous play at any time. He’s primarily a slot receiver on the subsequent degree, however simply get him on the sphere and let him work.

A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
Union House Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs. Missouri

Photograph by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures

Perry is an enormous, bodily exterior goal who wins by going excessive of defenders. His dimension and pace ought to give whoever is taking part in QB for Wake Forest an possibility downfield, and for followers who want exterior pace, search for AT Perry while you’re watching soccer throughout bowl season.

O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl vs. Oregon State

ROAD. GRADER. That’s who Torrence is. The switch from UL Lafayette made an affect instantly, changing into the First-team AP All American at guard. His skill to play in a telephone sales space and root out defenders is what makes him the primary guard in many individuals’s large board. Should you’re on the lookout for an offensive linemen, watch Torrence transfer individuals in opposition to their will.

Siaki Ika, NT, Baylor
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. Air Pressure

Ika is a MASSIVE individual at 6’4, and 358 kilos. He’s the purest definition of a run stopper, and might change the mathematics for groups within the run sport. He’s not a completed product with regards to affecting the passing sport, however with the quantity of groups which are on the lookout for a man to cease the run, they will discover one in Ika. Seeing him go in opposition to Air Pressure ought to be a sight to behold.

Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. LSU

Very quietly, Charlie Jones nearly received the triple crown for a receiver in school soccer. He was first in catches and yards, and third in touchdowns for a Purdue offense that leaned on him within the passing sport. Jones simply is aware of tips on how to get open, easy and plain. The Iowa switch has sufficient pace to stack defenders vertically and very positive fingers (8 drops on 157 targets). He received’t be a Day One or possibly Day Two decide, however he’ll make a group extraordinarily joyful.

Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Offered by Stifel vs. Washington State

Photograph by Tyler Ingham/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures

School soccer Twitter’s favourite QB is taking part in in his remaining bowl sport, and what a experience it’s been for Haener. Haener is a fearless QB who can throw with accuracy and has the flexibility to hit passes within the intermediate space of the sphere. Haener can be headed to the Senior Bowl, and he ought to discover a spot within the NFL as a backup, albeit a really enjoyable backup.