Top NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in Each CFB Championship
The eyes of the football world will be set squarely on the seven college football conference championship games in the coming days, which will have significant ramifications for the 2015 NFL draft.
While fans of every team and conference will be hoping for a favorable outcome, others will be using the games as an opportunity to get some quality scouting in for the draft.
Conference championships are great for players who want to boost their stock, either by dominating on a big stage or getting the chance to play against their best competition of the year.
Let's break down the top prospects to keep an eye on in each game.
MAC: Northern Illinois vs. Bowling Green
1 of 7
Top Players
Northern Illinois: Dechane Durante, S
Bowling Green: D.J. Lynch, ILB
Others to Watch
Northern Illinois: None
Bowling Green: Charlie Walker, DE; Chris Gallon, WR
There aren't any big names here, but perhaps scouts will find a diamond in the rough. Durante will look to follow first-round pick, former teammate and fellow safety Jimmie Ward to the NFL, although he doesn't have the upside of Ward.
Bowling Green has a few players to keep an eye on, with Lynch having potentially the best shot at NFL success. He's a stocky middle linebacker in the mold of Chris Borland.
Conference USA: Marshall vs. Rice
2 of 7
Top Players
Marshall: James Rouse, DE
Louisiana Tech: Kenneth Dixon, RB
Others to Watch
Marshall: Rakeem Cato, QB
Louisiana Tech: None
Rouse has the most NFL potential of any player on Marshall, but Dixon is the best prospect in this game. He's a talented runner who could be a late-round pick.
There isn't much to see here, although Cato could end up being a late-round flier at quarterback.
SEC: Alabama vs. Missouri
3 of 7
Top Players
Missouri: Shane Ray, DE; Markus Golden, DE
Alabama: Amari Cooper, WR; T.J. Yeldon, RB; Landon Collins, S; Arie Kouandjio, OG
Others to Watch
Missouri: Marcus Murphy, RB; Mitch Morse, OT
Alabama: Jalston Fowler, FB; Brandon Ivory, DT; Trey DePriest, ILB
For those who like a good fight in the trenches, look no further than the SEC Championship Game. As you can see, much of the best talent in this game is on the line.
Ray and Golden are first-round prospects who form the most dangerous pass-rushing duo in the nation. Cooper, Collins and Yeldon could all be the first players taken at their respective positions, which is pretty outstanding. Alabama obviously has depth across the board as well.
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.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Pac-12: Oregon vs. Arizona
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Top Players
Oregon: Marcus Mariota, QB; Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB; Arik Armstead, DE
Arizona: Austin Hill, WR
Others to Watch
Oregon: Hroniss Grasu, C; Jake Fisher, OT; Tony Washington, OLB; Derrick Malone, OLB
Arizona: Terris Jones-Grigsby, RB
From a talent standpoint, Oregon clearly dominates this game, and Mariota is going to be the focal point of everyone's attention. He looks like the top prospect in the nation right now, but that could change at any time.
Other guys like Ekpre-Olomu, Armstead, Hill, Grasu and Fisher could all be second- or third-round picks as well.
Big Ten: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
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Top Players
Ohio State: Michael Bennett, DT
Wisconsin: Melvin Gordon, RB
Others to Watch
Ohio State: Jeff Heuerman, TE; Dorian Grant, CB
Wisconsin: Warren Herring, DT
Gordon is easily the best prospect in this game, and it will be fun to see him face off against a great defensive tackle in Bennett.
There isn't much else to get amped up about this game, however, with Heuerman and Herring probably looking like mid- to late-round selections at this stage.
Mountain West: Fresno State vs. Boise State
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Top Players
Boise State: Jay Ajayi, RB
Fresno State: Derron Smith, S; Josh Harper, WR
Others to Watch
Boise State: None
Fresno State: Tyeler Davison, DT; Curtis Riley, CB
The top two prospects in this game are both on Fresno State, as Smith and Harper both have legitimate second-round potential. Ajayi is not too far behind.
Smith is a rangy, athletic safety who hits hard and could easily become a quality NFL starter one day. Davison is a sleeper to keep an eye on; he's a house up the middle.
ACC: Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
7 of 7
Top Players
Florida State: Jameis Winston, QB; Eddie Goldman, DT; P.J. Williams, CB; Mario Edwards, DE; Ronald Darby, CB; Cameron Erving, OT
Georgia Tech: Isaiah Johnson, S
Others to Watch
Florida State: Josue Matias, OG; Rashad Greene, WR; Nick O'Leary, TE; Tre Jackson, OG; Karlos Williams, RB
Georgia Tech: Quayshawn Nealy, ILB
From a draft standpoint, this game is completely dominated by Florida State, which has the deepest prospect talent in the country. Winston is the top guy, but he has three offensive linemen who could be picked between the second and fourth rounds. Additionally, both O'Leary and Greene have bright futures.
But the defense is even more impressive. Williams and Darby are two of the best corners in the nation, and Goldman and Edwards should both be taken within the first two rounds.
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.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
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