Holiday Bowl 2011: Sizzling NFL Prospects To Keep Your Eye on

If you’re not a fan of Texas or California, watching a game like the Holiday Bowl may not be too entertaining, but fear not.  NFL draft buffs would be wise to turn on this one because there are a handful of talented prospects that have the potential to be taken during the first two days of draft weekend. 

Here are four of the top pro prospects that will be featured in the Holiday Bowl.

4. Keenan Robinson (OLB, Texas) – Round 2, 2012

Robinson is a senior 4-3 outside linebacker prospect that could be taken as high as the second round. Because there are a growing numbers of teams switching to a 3-4 defensive front, though, there’s a chance that a backer like Robinson could fall to the third or even the fourth round because of the lack of need for the position around the league.

And that’s where Robinson would become a steal. The athletic backer has racked up a total of 183 tackles over the past two seasons.

3. Kheeston Randall (DE, Texas) – Round 2, 2012

The 6’5”, 295-pound Randall should be able to play in a 4-3 scheme at defensive tackle in the NFL, but he’s better suited to play as a 3-4 defensive end. His stats don’t blow you away, but he possesses the brute strength needed to move offensive lineman against their will and disrupt the running game.

2. Keenan Allen (WR, Cal) – Round 2, 2013

Keenan, Kheeston and Keenan. No, this isn’t a joke. Cal’s star wide receiver and primary offensive is a potential first-to-second round prospect when he becomes eligible. The 6’3”, 205-pound wide out hauled in 89 receptions this season for 1,261 yards and six touchdowns.

If Cal wants to pull off the upset over Texas, Allen will have to have a huge night.

1. Alex Okafor (DE, Texas) – Round 1, 2013

Okafor is eligible for the draft this year, but his stock will rise if he sticks around with the Longhorns for another season. The 6’4”, 260-pound defensive end would play in a 4-3 system at the next level. On the year, he’s recorded 46 tackles along with seven sacks. 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter.