Champs Bowl 2011: Top-Notch Notre Dame and Florida State NFL Draft Prospects

A Florida State vs. Notre Dame matchup definitely boasts the prestige to make the Champs Sports Bowl one of the best non-BCS bowls this season.  As an added bonus, though, the game features a number of highly sought-after NFL prospects for draft gurus to pinpoint and pay attention to. 

Whether you’re watching the game for entertainment or to scout, here are the top pro prospects playing in the Champs Sports Bowl.

4. Brandon Jenkins (DE, Florida State) – Round 2, 2012

Jenkins is an absolute animal coming off the edge.  The 6’3”, 265-pound 4-3 defensive end prospect has recorded 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons.  Right now, he’ll probably come off the board in round two, but with a strong showing in workouts, he could hear his name called on the first day.

3. Manti Te’o (ILB, Notre Dame) – Round 1, 2013

Te’o would easily have been taken in Round 1 in the 2012 NFL Draft, but instead of declaring for the draft, he chose to return for his senior season at Notre Dame.  Hopefully an injury doesn’t make him regret the decision.  The 6’2”, 255-pound athletic freak has wrestled down a whopping 248 ball carriers over the past two seasons.

2. Xavier Rhodes (CB, Florida St.) – Round 1, 2013

In his first year of action at Florida State, Rhodes picked off opposing quarterbacks four times.  This season, though, he’s only recorded one interception so far.

Why?  Because QBs are smart enough to throw away from his side.  After being redshirted with a hand injury as a freshman, he’s draft eligible this year, but he’ll most likely choose to return to the Seminoles for another season to improve his stock.

1. Michael Floyd (WR, Notre Dame) – Round 1, 2012

At 6’3”, 224 pounds, Floyd is a nightmare for opposing cornerbacks to tackle to the turf.  This season, he’s recorded 95 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.  Last year, Floyd was a borderline first-round pick, but this April, he’s a first-round lock.

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