Top 2015 NFL Draft Prospects in Every Bowl Game
College football players from 76 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision, some of whom are prospects for the 2015 NFL draft, will have one more opportunity to showcase their skills this season—in their teams' respective postseason bowl games.
Some of those teams―such as College Football Playoff contenders Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State—seemingly have evident future pros in abundance on their rosters.
Most other schools, even among those playing in bowl games, don't have the same level of talent. Even so, there are players on every FBS team who have the chance to work their way onto NFL rosters next year, and each bowl game presents a nationally televised platform for each team's next-level hopefuls to put their talents on display.
In the following slides, we'll take a look at two of the top prospects—one for each team playing in each game—who scouts will be watching in every bowl to be played this December and January.
All draft-eligible players on each team were considered in the following selections, but preference was given to draftable seniors, except in the cases of underclassmen who are clear first-round selections and/or who have already declared their intentions to enter the 2015 draft.
Bowls are listed in chronological order of when they will be played.
New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 20)
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Nevada: Brock Hekking, DE
Known for having the best mullet in college football since Brian “The Boz” Bosworth, Hekking is a quality edge defender and has a shot at being a Day 3 draft selection.
He’s not the most explosive pass-rusher, but he has accumulated 20 career sacks while having a high motor, effective hands and good size (6’4”, 255 lbs).
Louisiana-Lafayette: Justin Hamilton, DT
Hamilton and Louisiana-Lafayette’s other senior starting defensive tackle, Christian Ringo, are the Ragin Cajuns’ most likely draft picks for 2015.
A big-bodied defensive lineman at 6’2” and 310 pounds, Hamilton has experience playing both nose tackle and defensive end, and he has more than adequate quickness for his size. He has the potential to play either defensive tackle spot in a 4-3 alignment or both nose tackle and defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 20)
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Utah State: Zach Vigil, ILB
Third in the entire FBS this year with 145 total tackles, Vigil has been all over the field for Utah State, having stepped up in a big way after the Aggies’ most highly touted defensive player, Kyler Fackrell, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1.
Vigil lacks top-end physical tools, but he’s a strong tackler with sound football instincts. After a senior year that earned him the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award, Vigil should warrant consideration on Day 3 of the draft.
UTEP: Eric Tomlinson, TE
Used mostly as a blocker by the Miners, Tomlinson’s 6’7”, 270-pound frame will earn him looks from NFL scouts.
Invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Tomlinson doesn’t have the agility to be much of a downfield playmaker at tight end. That said, some NFL scouts could view him as a candidate to bulk up and transition to offensive tackle.
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 20)
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Utah: Nate Orchard, DE
One of the breakout stars of the 2014 college football season, Orchard ranks second among FBS pass-rushers this year with 17.5 sacks.
Orchard’s physical tools aren’t spectacular by NFL standards, but he’s displayed significantly improved technical skills and a consistent ability to reach opposing quarterbacks this year. The Senior Bowl invite has the movement skills to project to playing either defensive end in a 4-3 unit or outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He should be an early-round pick who can contribute in his rookie season.
Colorado State: Ty Sambrailo, LT
If Orchard has an atypically quiet game in the Las Vegas Bowl, it’ll be because he’s going up against Sambrailo, who is one of the best offensive tackles in the senior class.
Possessing great size at 6’5” and 315 pounds, Sambrailo is light on his feet and punishing with his hands. He needs to improve his pass-blocking technique in regard to playing with proper leverage, but the Senior Bowl invite has been dominant all year and owns the physical tools to project as an NFL starter on either side of the offensive line.
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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Dec. 20)
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Western Michigan: Donald Celiscar, CB
With 21 each this season, Celiscar and Western Michigan’s other starting cornerback, Ronald Zamort, are tied for the FBS lead in total passes defensed.
Celiscar is not the biggest or most athletic cornerback, but he’s a physical player who tackles well and has a proven knack for making plays on the ball. A likely late-round draft choice, Celiscar could make it in the NFL as a nickel/dime cornerback and on special teams.
Air Force: Will Conant, K/P
Because Air Force players have a service commitment to fulfill after graduation, they are rarely looked upon as NFL draft prospects, and it’s unlikely there will be any exceptions to that this year. The one Falcons senior who might actually have the most long-term potential to make it in professional football, however, is specialist Will Conant.
As a kicker, Conant has hit 18 of 20 field-goal attempts for the Falcons this season, with only one miss inside 60 yards. As a punter, he ranks 19th in the FBS with an average of 43.8 yards per punt.
Camellia Bowl (Dec. 20)
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South Alabama: Wes Saxton, TE
A big target with good speed, Wes Saxton is a downfield playmaking threat with the potential to be a riser in a weak senior class of tight ends.
Saxton is more of an oversized slot receiver than he is a true in-line tight end, but his athleticism and receiving ability make him an intriguing small-school sleeper. His production fell off significantly between his junior and senior years, which hurts his chances to shoot up boards, but he’ll have chances to boost his stock in this bowl game and at the East-West Shrine Game.
Bowling Green: Gabe Martin, OLB
Bowling Green has a young team with few draft-eligible players of significance, but the one senior it has with a shot to be a 2015 NFL draft selection is outside linebacker Gabe Martin.
A second-team All-MAC selection this year, Martin led the Falcons with 110 total tackles and 16 tackles for loss this year. He’s at his best when he’s playing downhill, but he’ll have to carve out a role on special teams to stick on an NFL roster.
Miami Beach Bowl (Dec. 22)
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BYU: Bronson Kaufusi, OLB/DE (Jr.)
Kaufusi would benefit from returning to BYU for his senior season to continue his football development, but he would easily be the top Cougars player selected if he were to declare for the 2015 draft.
A 6’7”, 265-pound physical specimen who also played basketball as a freshman, Kaufusi started his Brigham Young career as a defensive end before dropping back to linebacker this year. To the NFL, he projects as an edge defender, either as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Memphis: Martin Ifedi, DE
Memphis’ defense was quietly one of the best in the country this year, thanks largely to having talented seniors with pro potential at all three levels of the unit. The best prospect among them is defensive end Martin Ifedi, one of three Tigers invited to this year’s East-West Shrine Game.
Ifedi, a 6’3”, 275-pound lineman who can rush the passer from both outside and inside, missed time early in his senior year with an injury but ended up still breaking the school record for most sacks in a career. His combination of size, athleticism and production should earn him looks from both 4-3 and 3-4 NFL teams as a potential draft pick at defensive end.
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23)
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Marshall: Rakeem Cato, QB
A four-year starter for the Thundering Herd, Cato has the all-time FBS record for most consecutive games with a passing touchdown (45) with a chance to make it 46 in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Small for an NFL quarterback at 6’1”, 176 pounds, with limited arm strength and inconsistent accuracy, Cato will likely have to fight his way onto a roster as an undrafted free agent if he is going to make it in the league. That said, he has been a very successful collegiate quarterback, and his ability to make plays on the run could intrigue scouts.
Northern Illinois: Dechane Durante, FS
A tall safety with good athletic range and demonstrated ability to make plays on the ball, Durante is the only Northern Illinois senior with a good shot of being selected in the 2015 draft.
The hard-hitter “has earned draftable grades from some teams,” according to CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler. He might need to add some weight to his 6’2”, 193-pound frame, but he has the talent to stick on an NFL roster if he can earn a role on special teams.
Poinsettia Bowl (Dec. 23)
8 of 38Navy: Joe Cardona, LS
Like Air Force, Navy is a service academy, which means its players face a multiyear military commitment after graduation, and they typically don’t get drafted by NFL teams as a result.
That said, Cardona is one Navy player who actually seems to be garnering serious consideration from scouts. One of two long snappers selected for this year’s Senior Bowl, he will have a chance in Mobile, Alabama, this January to prove that he could, after fulfilling his military duties, make it in the NFL as one of just 32 players in the league at his position.
San Diego State: Terry Poole, LT
A second-team All-Mountain-West selection this year, Poole is a 6’5”, 310-pound left tackle who allowed just two sacks in 327 dropbacks this season, according to San Diego State’s official athletics website.
A two-year starter for the Aztecs after transferring from junior college, Poole’s size and foot skills make him an interesting developmental prospect with upside at offensive tackle. In addition to the Poinsettia Bowl, Poole will have a chance to prove his NFL caliber in the East-West Shrine Game in January.
Bahamas Bowl (Dec. 24)
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Central Michigan: Titus Davis, WR
The only player in FBS history to catch eight or more touchdowns in all four of his collegiate seasons, Davis has caught 54 passes for 843 yards and nine scores in his senior year despite suffering a knee injury in his season opener that forced him to miss Central Michigan’s subsequent three games.
Davis is a sure-handed pass-catcher and smooth downfield runner who runs clean routes and has NFL size at 6’2” and 190 pounds. He’s likely to be a Day 3 draft choice but could turn out to be a steal, following in the footsteps of fellow Central Michigan product Antonio Brown.
Western Kentucky: Cam Thomas, CB
A matchup NFL scouts will be watching closely is Davis lined up against Thomas. With FBS-leading passer Brandon Doughty planning to return to WKU after being granted a sixth season of eligibility, Thomas is the Hilltoppers’ most likely draft pick.
At 6’1” and 190 pounds, Thomas has good length for a cornerback and is a fluid athlete. Against Davis on Dec. 24 and against more NFL-caliber wideouts in the East-West Shrine Game, he will have chances to prove he has the skills to make it in a pro secondary.
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24)
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Fresno State: Derron Smith, FS
Fresno State has a few potential top-100 selections for the 2015 draft, including wide receiver Josh Harper and nose tackle Tyeler Davison—but none better than free safety Derron Smith. Between hard hits in run defense and plays on the ball in coverage, Smith demonstrates the range to make plays all over the field.
Having also taken over punt return duties in the latter portion of this season, he’ll have that avenue as a potential showcase of his playmaking ability as well. The Senior Bowl invite is likely to be one of the first safeties selected in the upcoming draft.
Rice: Jordan Taylor, WR
Taylor missed the first three games of his senior season with a sprained foot but has caught 49 passes for 781 yards and six touchdowns since.
A 6’5”, 210-pound wideout with demonstrated ability to make tough grabs against coverage, Taylor’s upside as a jump-ball receiver is enticing. He has enough athleticism for his size to warrant consideration as a Day 3 draft choice.
Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dec. 26)
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Illinois: Earnest Thomas III, SS/LB
It’s unlikely that Illinois will have any seniors drafted this year, but the team's upperclassman with the most NFL potential is Earnest Thomas III.
Thomas plays the “Star” linebacker position for Illinois but would project as a strong safety at the next level at 6’2” and 210 pounds. He’s a good athlete who has been an active tackler, but he’ll have to prove himself on special teams to make an NFL roster in 2015.
Louisiana Tech: Kenneth Dixon, RB (Jr.)
It would be a surprise if any of the Louisiana Tech seniors playing in this game were drafted, but one player who could be selected if he chose to declare as a junior would be running back Kenneth Dixon.
Dixon, who has 59 total touchdowns in his three-year career, is a tough ball-carrier who exhibits great balance through contact and is a steady pass-catcher. He has no spectacular traits and would be best served by returning to school for his senior year, but he has the skill set to provide depth in an NFL backfield.
Quick Lane Bowl (Dec. 26)
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Rutgers: Tyler Kroft, TE (Jr.)
Kroft would very likely be among the 2015 draft’s top tight ends selected if he were to declare for early entry. The junior’s production has dropped significantly this year from his sophomore season, and he remains limited as a blocker, so he’d likely benefit from another year at Rutgers. His potential as a pass-catching target over the middle is promising nonetheless.
A smooth downfield athlete at 6’6” and 240 pounds, Kroft can play both in-line and from the slot and create mismatches for opposing defenses.
North Carolina: Norkeithus Otis, OLB
An athletic outside linebacker who plays the “Bandit” position for North Carolina’s defense, Otis flashes good pursuit speed and the ability to make plays off the edge.
Listed at 6’1” and 235 pounds, he lacks the size and length to stay on the edge full time in the NFL. His chances of being drafted were also hurt by a drop-off in production in his senior year. That said, he has enough athleticism to potentially transition to an off-ball linebacker role and be a versatile backup if he can prove himself on special teams.
St. Petersburg Bowl (Dec. 26)
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North Carolina State: Rob Crisp, LT
Crisp’s 2012 and 2013 seasons were derailed by injuries, but after being granted an additional year of eligibility for 2014, he stayed healthy and put himself in position to be in the mix as a possible Day 3 draft choice.
Possessing a great frame for an offensive tackle at 6’7” and 300 pounds, Crisp projects as a swing backup who could stick on an NFL roster for his developmental upside. He’s had some inconsistencies in pass blocking, but if he performs well in predraft testing, he could warrant a late-round selection.
Central Florida: Clayton Geathers, SS
A first-team all-conference selection in the American Athletic Conference this year, Geathers is an instinctive safety who flies around the field and hits with authority.
He has good size for an NFL strong safety at 6’2” and 208 pounds, and he is experienced on special teams, where he might be most likely to make an impact at the next level. He also has four cousins and two uncles who have played in the NFL.
Military Bowl (Dec. 27)
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Cincinnati: Jeff Luc, ILB
A transfer from Florida State, Luc’s potential finally translated to production on the field in his senior season at Cincinnati, as he has led the Bearcats defense with 120 total tackles and been a playmaker in the middle of the unit.
Luc is a hard-hitting tackler who possesses good short-area burst and has recorded 8.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles this year. He’s a one-year wonder in terms of production, but he’s shown enough this season to potentially end up as a late-round draft pick.
Virginia Tech: Kyshoen Jarrett, SS
Playing the “Rover” safety position on Virginia Tech’s defense, Jarrett leads the Hokies with 86 total tackles this year as a result of being a rangy playmaker who hits hard in the box and makes plays on the ball well downfield.
Jarrett has limited height, at 5’11” and 200 pounds, and he does not regularly show the coverage ability to be an every-down safety at the next level. That said, he could carve out a role on an NFL roster as a situational in-the-box safety/linebacker as well as a special teams mainstay.
Sun Bowl (Dec. 27)
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Arizona State: Jaelen Strong, WR (Jr.)
Strong is a big wide receiver, at 6’3” and 215 pounds, who regularly makes spectacular catches look easy. He displays an impressive catch radius, runs with a smooth stride and is physical at the catch point.
Among the top four receivers eligible for the 2015 draft, he should be a first-round pick if he declares.
Duke: Laken Tomlinson, RG
Named as a first-team All-American this year by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Tomlinson is a four-year starter at Duke who should be ready to play right away on an NFL offensive line. He doesn’t crush defenders at the line of scrimmage the way one might expect from a 6’3”, 330-pound guard, but he has very good foot skills for a man of his measure.
Also selected to the American Football Coaches’ Association Good Works Team this year for his community service efforts off the field, Tomlinson is a technically sound lineman who looks to be a safe draft pick on Day 2.
Independence Bowl (Dec. 27)
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Miami: Denzel Perryman, ILB
A player who can regularly be seen making big hits around the line of scrimmage, Perryman is an explosive tackler who displays great instincts and short-area burst.
He is shorter than ideal, at 6’0” and 242 pounds, and there are some questions as to his ability to play sideline-to-sideline and in coverage, but he is consistently around the ball between the numbers. A Senior Bowl invite, Perryman projects as a second-round draft pick.
South Carolina: A.J. Cann, LG
A four-year starter at South Carolina, Cann is a 6’4”, 311-pound offensive lineman who projects as the most likely choice to be the first collegiate guard selected in the 2015 draft.
Cann exhibits both the power to drive-block defenders off the line of scrimmage and the foot skills to pull-block and accelerate to the second level. While he does not have elite size for his position, he plays with consistent leverage and rarely gets pushed backward.
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27)
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Boston College: Andy Gallik, C
A finalist for this year’s Rimington Trophy, Gallik is a technically sound four-year starter who anchors the line effectively and switches blocks fluidly.
Gallik’s not an overpowering or explosive player, but he holds his ground well in the middle of the line of scrimmage and displays the movement skills to pick up blocks at the second level. If Gallik can close out his strong senior year well in the Pinstripe Bowl and at the Senior Bowl, he could be a top-100 pick.
Penn State: Mike Hull, ILB
First in the Big Ten this year with 134 total tackles, Hull emerged as the leader of the Penn State defense in his senior year.
Hull’s measurables are subpar for an NFL linebacker prospect, but he has terrific instincts and is a consistent tackler. He could be a solid backup middle linebacker and special teams player, and he projects as a likely late-round draft choice.
Holiday Bowl (Dec. 27)
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Nebraska: Randy Gregory, DE (Jr.)
One of the most freakish athletes in college football, Gregory has rare burst and agility for a 6’6”, 240-pound defensive end, and he can blow up plays in a hurry as a result.
Gregory has become better at using his hands to shed blockers this year, but his all-around game remains a work in progress, and he’s going to need to bulk up to hold his ground at the line of scrimmage as a run defender. Even so, because Gregory can be a highly disruptive player, has massive potential and can play both defensive end and linebacker, he should be a top-20 pick if he declares for the 2015 draft.
USC: Leonard Williams, DE/DT (Jr.)
There might be only one defensive lineman drafted ahead of Randy Gregory in the 2015 draft, and if that is the case, that player should be Leonard Williams. Williams has asserted himself as the best draft-eligible defensive prospect in college football this year and could be the No. 1 overall pick, assuming he declares.
A tremendous athlete at 6’5” and 300 pounds, he plays with incredible activity for a defensive lineman and could project to any position on the line except nose tackle. Skilled as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper, Williams consistently displays speed, strength, block-shedding ability and tackling prowess.
Liberty Bowl (Dec. 29)
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Texas A&M: Cedric Ogbuehi, LT
Projected by many to be a high first-round draft pick coming into his senior season, 2014 has been a disappointing year for Cedric Ogbuehi. He made the move to left tackle this season, following in the footsteps of 2013 No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel and 2014 No. 6 overall pick Jake Matthews at Texas A&M, but he was moved back to right tackle for part of the season and has not achieved the dominance this year that either of them did as Aggies.
Even so, Ogbuehi could be a top-20 draft pick if he finishes the year strong. He is an agile blocker who mirrors his opponents well, and his experience playing tackle and guard on both sides of the line is a positive, but the 6’5”, 305-pound tackle doesn’t exhibit much power.
West Virginia: Kevin White, WR
White’s production cooled down the stretch of the season, as he went over 100 receiving yards just once in his final five games after accomplishing that feat in each of his first seven contests this year, but the West Virginia senior has nonetheless been one of the breakout stars of the 2014 college football season.
A 6’3”, 210-pound wideout who attacks the ball in the air, White has displayed significant improvement as a route runner this year. A strong perimeter blocker and a good enough athlete to make big plays downfield, White should be a first-round pick in the 2015 draft.
Russell Athletic Bowl (Dec. 29)
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Oklahoma: Tyrus Thompson, LT
A gargantuan offensive tackle at 6’5” and 336 pounds, Thompson is a skilled pass protector who can engulf defenders with his length and control them with his size and strength.
Thompson is not as naturally quick as most NFL left tackles, and he probably projects better to the next level as a right tackle. His athleticism and footwork appear to be good enough for him to stay outside at the next level, but how he performs in his matchup in the Russell Athletic Bowl could determine whether scouts evaluate him as a tackle or guard going forward.
Clemson: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB
That he's going up against Beasley, one of the best pass-rushers in college football, is why Thompson’s performance in his bowl game is so important to his draft stock. Beasley, a two-time first-team Walter Camp All-American, gives offensive tackles as challenging a test as they will get at the collegiate level.
A speed-rusher with elite first-step quickness, Beasley is also very good with his hands and can bull-rush, despite being only 6’3” and 235 pounds. His size is a problem for him as a point-of-attack run defender—and it’s likely Thompson will exploit that in this game with his 100-pound advantage—but his ability to make plays in pursuit projects him as a high first-round pick, best suited to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in the NFL.
Texas Bowl (Dec. 29)
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Arkansas: Trey Flowers, DE
Productive off the edge throughout his four-year career at Arkansas, Flowers is a 6’3”, 270-pound defensive end who has accumulated 45.5 career tackles for loss.
Flowers isn’t the most naturally agile edge defender, but he takes good angles to the ball and uses his length well to work his way off blocks. He is a strong edge-setter against the run who holds his ground well against power.
Texas: Malcom Brown, DT (Jr.)
Malcom Brown, not to be confused with Texas running back Malcolm Brown, is a highly disruptive interior lineman who has emerged as a potential first-round pick if he enters the 2015 draft.
An explosive defensive tackle at 6’2” and 320 pounds, Brown can beat offensive linemen with both quickness and power. The Longhorns’ leader with 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this year, Brown has the ability to play either nose tackle or defensive end in a 3-4 front and either defensive tackle spot in a 4-3 defensive scheme.
Music City Bowl (Dec. 30)
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Notre Dame: Ronnie Stanley, LT (Jr.)
Stanley has made a name for himself among draft evaluators over the course of his first season at left tackle for Notre Dame. Although he still has two remaining years of eligibility, he might have real incentive to make a jump to the NFL after the Music City Bowl, as he has emerged as a potential first-round draft choice.
A 6’5.5”, 315-pound lineman with impressive movement skills for his size, Stanley possesses the physical tools scouts covet in a left tackle. While his technical development would benefit from another year at the collegiate level, he’s made rapid progress and played at a high level all season.
LSU: La’el Collins, LT
A great debate could be had as to who is the best left tackle prospect set to play in the Music City Bowl, as LSU’s La’el Collins, like Stanley, also projects as a first-round pick in the 2015 draft. Collins has more experience than Stanley—as a two-year starter at left tackle and three-year starter overall—but is an otherwise similar talent.
Collins has ideal size for a left tackle at 6’5” and 321 pounds, and he is a powerful run-blocker who packs a strong punch with his hands. His quickness is not superb, so he might project better to the NFL as a right tackle or guard than on the blind side, but the winner of the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy should be one of the first offensive linemen drafted regardless.
Belk Bowl (Dec. 30)
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Georgia: Ramik Wilson, ILB
Georgia has four linebackers who all have the potential to be drafted in 2015. The top prospects among them are underclassmen outside linebackers Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins; among the two senior inside linebackers, Amarlo Herrera was more productive this year, but Ramik Wilson is likely to project as the better NFL prospect due to advantages in size and athleticism.
Listed at 6’2” and 237 pounds, Wilson is a rangy linebacker who can play both inside and outside. The Senior Bowl invite has some limitations in coverage, but he’s a good developmental prospect who should be able to contribute quickly to an NFL team as a rotational linebacker and on special teams.
Louisville: DeVante Parker, WR
A tall, fluid receiver with a skill for making challenging grabs, Parker’s senior season was truncated seven games by a foot injury, but he’s looked better than ever—and asserted himself as a first-round talent—since he’s returned.
In just five games this year, Parker has already caught 35 passes for 735 yards and five touchdowns. He’s made evident improvements to his route running, has caught just about everything thrown his way and has shown the ability to extend plays after contact in the open field.
Foster Farms Bowl (Dec. 30)
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Maryland: Darius Kilgo, DT
Nicely nimble for a 6’3”, 319-pound defensive tackle, Kilgo is a sleeper prospect who could end up providing a team good value on its interior defensive line as a third-day draft selection.
Kilgo possesses a good combination of quickness and strength and has recorded 20 tackles for loss over the past three years. In addition to the Foster Farms Bowl, he will also have an opportunity to elevate his draft stock in the East-West Shrine Game.
Stanford: Andrus Peat, LT (Jr.)
Although Peat has not been as dominant as expected in his junior season, the Stanford left tackle is still a very likely first-round pick if he decides to enter the 2015 draft.
Peat has an ideal frame for the left tackle position, at 6’7” and 316 pounds, and he is naturally agile. He needs to become more aggressive and assert his size upon his opponents more than he does, but his developmental upside is huge.
Peach Bowl (Dec. 31)
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Ole Miss: Cody Prewitt, S
A four-year starter at Ole Miss, Prewitt is an experienced safety who has a nose for the ball and skills in both run defense and in coverage that have enabled him to have a prolific collegiate career and should lead to success in the NFL.
He’s best suited to play strong safety, a position for which he has great size at 6’2” and 217 pounds, at the next level. The Senior Bowl invite has demonstrated ability to make plays on the ball in the air, with 11 career interceptions, but he’s at his best in the box, closer to the line of scrimmage, where he can make a bigger impact as a tackler.
TCU: Paul Dawson, LB
A quietly productive player in 2013, Dawson emerged as a star in his senior season, as he racked up 128 total tackles, including 18.5 for loss, over the course of the year. Named a Walter Camp All-American for his efforts, Dawson has emerged as one of the nation’s best 4-3 outside linebacker/3-4 inside linebacker prospects.
He lacks the measurables of an early-round pick, but he’s an instinctive defender who covers ground well between the numbers. He is a sound tackler, and he displays aptitude in coverage.
Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31)
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Boise State: Jay Ajayi, RB (Jr.)
None of Boise State’s seniors are likely to be draft picks, but the Broncos should have one top-100 draft selection if junior Jay Ajayi follows the recent trend of well-performing underclassmen running backs frequently declaring for early entry into the draft.
Productive as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield, Ajayi has posted 29 total touchdowns and 2,225 yards from scrimmage this season. He is a very well-rounded back who exhibits great vision to find creases as well as the strength to bounce off contact and extend runs.
Arizona: Austin Hill, WR
Coming off a torn ACL that forced him to miss Arizona’s entire 2013 season, Hill has not looked like the same player in 2014 that he was in 2012. That year, he caught 81 passes for 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns; this season, he has only 45 catches for 605 yards and four scores.
Hill remains an intriguing wide receiver prospect, with good size at 6’3” and 212 pounds, but he hasn’t been able to display the same acceleration and agility this year that he did in the past. The Fiesta Bowl and East-West Shrine Game will be great opportunities for him to try to prove he’s still an NFL-caliber wideout.
Orange Bowl (Dec. 31)
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Mississippi State: Benardrick McKinney, ILB (Jr.)
A first-team All-SEC selection this year, McKinney is a versatile playmaker who has the potential to play multiple roles and/or positions in any defensive scheme and could be a first-round pick if he declares for the 2015 draft as a result.
McKinney, a great athlete at 6’5” and 249 pounds, can be effective both playing on the edge as a pass-rusher and outside run defender, and at inside linebacker as a between-the-hashes tackler and attacking blitzer. He hasn’t accumulated huge stats at Mississippi State, but he’s been a key cog for the defense and has the potential to keep getting better when he moves on to the next level.
Georgia Tech: Shaq Mason, RG
Perhaps the most important player in the success of Georgia Tech’s run-heavy, triple-option offense this year, Mason has had an excellent senior season and was named to the USA Today Sports All-America team as a result.
Mason might be considered too small to play guard in the NFL at just 6’1” and 300 pounds, but he’s played well enough this year that someone should take a chance on him in the middle rounds of the draft. He has very good movement skills, excels as a pull-blocker and plays with strength.
Outback Bowl (Jan. 1)
28 of 38Auburn: Reese Dismukes, C
This year’s Rimington Trophy winner, Reese Dismukes has been one of the best centers in college football for four straight years and could end up being the top player at his position in the 2015 draft.
Listed at 6’3” and 295 pounds, Dismukes is not elite physically, but he’s very efficient technically. The Senior Bowl invite moves well, can switch blocks cleanly in the middle of a play and rarely gives up significant pressures through the middle of the offensive line.
Wisconsin: Melvin Gordon III, RB (Jr.)
Gordon, who has already indicated that he plans to enter the upcoming draft (to the surprise of absolutely no one), will be looking to cap one of the greatest seasons by a running back in college football history with a strong finish in the Outback Bowl. He will go into the New Year’s Day bowl game having rushed for 2,336 yards and 26 touchdowns, both FBS-leading totals.
An exceptional combination of acceleration, agility, vision and ability to bounce off contact has made Gordon’s season, for which he won the Doak Walker Award, possible. He has limited pass-catching ability, and skeptics might suggest that he is the product of a Wisconsin system that has regularly churned out highly productive runners, but the 6’1”, 213-pound back clearly has special physical tools.
Cotton Bowl Classic (Jan. 1)
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Michigan State: Trae Waynes, CB (Jr.)
A first-team All-Big Ten selection this year, Waynes is a physical cornerback with the size, ball skills and instincts to potentially emerge as the 2015 draft’s top defensive back if he declares.
The 6’1”, 182-pound junior has great length for the position, though NFL teams will look for him to add more bulk to his frame. He’s somewhat too prone to grabbing receivers, but he is good at establishing inside position in man coverage and contesting catches, and he is a better athlete than former teammate and 2014 first-round draft pick Darqueze Dennard.
Baylor: Antwan Goodley, WR
Built more like a running back than a wide receiver at 5’11” and 220 pounds, it’s possible a move to the backfield could be in Goodley’s future, but there’s also reason to believe he can be a starting-caliber wideout in the NFL.
Goodley is an explosive athlete who tracks the ball well, is typically sure-handed and can run through contact to extend plays in the open field. His height is less than ideal for an outside receiver, but he’s competitive against coverage and possesses the speed and agility to gain separation off route breaks.
Citrus Bowl (Jan. 1)
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Missouri: Shane Ray, DE (Jr.)
In his first year as a starter at Missouri, Shane Ray has emerged as one of college football’s elite defensive ends, a first-team All-American and a player who will almost certainly be a first-round selection if he declares for the 2015 draft.
An explosive rusher off the edge, Ray is tied for third in the FBS with 14 sacks and 21 total tackles for loss this year. He’s somewhat undersized for a 4-3 defensive end at 6’3” and 245 pounds, and he needs to become stronger as a point-of-attack run defender, but he has great change-of-direction quickness and flashes the hand skills to shed blocks at the line of scrimmage.
Minnesota: Maxx Williams, TE (RS So.)
The Golden Gophers have a senior offensive prospect in running back David Cobb. His stock has soared over the course of the 2014 season, but he won’t be the top player drafted at his position, which redshirt sophomore Maxx Williams very well could be if he declares for the 2015 draft.
Williams, at 6’4” and 250 pounds, has the size and athleticism that NFL teams covet at the tight end position. He has excellent ball skills, as demonstrated by some spectacular catches this year, and he is also a solid in-line blocker, making him the most well-rounded draft-eligible tight end in college football.
Rose Bowl (Jan. 1)
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Oregon: Marcus Mariota, QB (Jr.)
Mariota has been the best player in college football this year, and he’s become the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft as a result. The 6’4”, 219-pound dual-threat quarterback has both the dynamic skill set and the maturity NFL teams covet in a potential franchise signal-caller.
The redshirt junior is an excellent athlete who consistently throws the ball with velocity and is dangerous throwing on the run. There’s still some reason for concern with his ball placement, as he has not had to regularly fit throws into tight coverage windows in the Oregon offense, but he’s made significant strides this year in how he maneuvers in the pocket and makes throws under pressure.
Florida State: Jameis Winston, QB (RS So.)
Despite reasons for concern both on and off the field—he has thrown 17 interceptions this year, while character questions stem from numerous incidents in his past—Winston remains the top prospect on a talent-laden Florida State team. Although it’s become increasingly clear that he’s more of a developmental prospect than an immediate fix for an NFL team, he still has the most potential of any quarterback eligible for the 2015 draft, which he is expected to enter.
Winston has great size (6’4”, 230 lbs), a strong arm, good athleticism and a proven ability to make tough throws against the rush and between tight coverage windows. He needs to improve his decision-making under pressure in order to avoid turnovers at the next level, but he demonstrates the abilities to throw with anticipation and go through multiple reads to find an open receiver.
Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1)
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Alabama: Amari Cooper, WR (Jr.)
After an inconsistent sophomore season, Cooper has bounced back in a big year in 2014. He’s proven to be the best wide receiver in college football, for which he won the Biletnikoff Award, and he should be one of the first players selected in the 2015 draft, assuming he declares.
Cooper lacks elite size and speed, but the 6’1”, 210-pound pass-catcher does just about everything you want a wide receiver to do well. He is a crisp route-runner who plucks the ball out of the air and has the natural acceleration and agility to extend plays for big gains in the open field.
Ohio State: Michael Bennett, DT
With 9.5 tackles for loss in his past five games, Bennett will enter the College Football Playoff as one of the nation’s hottest players, one who has been showing his ability to dominate after a slow start to his senior season.
Combining great quickness with strong hand skills, Bennett can explode through gaps at the line of scrimmage and blow up plays in the backfield. He’s small for an NFL defensive tackle at 6’2” and 288 pounds, and he could have issues as a point-of-attack run defender as a result, but his ability to penetrate gives him the potential to be a highly impactful 3-technique lineman in a 4-3 defensive front and should make him a first-round pick.
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan. 2)
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Houston: Joey Mbu, DT
You won’t see Mbu’s name show up in high frequency on box scores, but he’s a strong nose tackle with the size (6’3”, 310 pounds) and quickness to play that position at the next level.
Invited to this year’s Senior Bowl, Mbu is a player scouts will be keeping an eye on closely in the Armed Forces Bowl, and he could rise significantly in the draft if he stands out in Mobile.
Pittsburgh: T.J. Clemmings, RT
A massive, powerful and athletic right tackle at 6’6” and 315 pounds, Clemmings has emerged as a highly touted prospect who has the potential to continue being a starter at that same position at the next level.
Clemmings is a punishing run-blocker who has a good burst off the snap and can impose his size upon opposing defenders. He remains unpolished technically, especially as a pass protector, but the converted defensive tackle’s physical upside could propel him into Round 1.
TaxSlayer Bowl (Jan. 2)
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Iowa: Brandon Scherff, LT
This year’s Outland Trophy winner as the best lineman in college football, Scherff is a potential top-10 pick who could be the first offensive tackle selected in the 2015 draft. At 6’5” and 320 pounds, he is a vicious run-blocker who can bulldoze defenders away from the ball but also has the burst to quickly accelerate to the second level.
Although he seemingly has enough length and athleticism to stay at left tackle, some believe that Scherff is best suited to kick inside to guard at the next level. Either way, he is a technically sound blocker who should make an offensive line better from day one.
Tennessee: Justin Coleman, CB
With A.J. Johnson suspended, there are no sure bets to be drafted among Tennessee’s seniors, but Coleman is one who has a shot at ending up as a late-round selection.
Coleman has limited size at 5’10” and 188 pounds, but he is a fluid athlete who has demonstrated his playmaking ability with four interceptions this year. He’ll likely have to be a core special teams player to make it at the next level, but the TaxSlayer Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game will be good opportunities for him to prove his worth.
Alamo Bowl (Jan. 2)
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Kansas State: Tyler Lockett, WR
A dynamic athlete with the ball in his hands, Lockett has had a highly productive career at Kansas State and projects well as a slot receiver and return specialist.
Lockett, who has accumulated 33 touchdowns and more than 6,000 yards over the course of his career as a receiver and kickoff/punt returner, is both fast and laterally quick. He’s a small wideout at 5’11” and 175 pounds, but the son of former NFL wide receiver Kevin Lockett attacks the football in the air and is a strong route-runner.
UCLA: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE
Odighizuwa doesn’t get as much attention as UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley or inside linebacker Eric Kendricks, but he might actually be the team’s best draft prospect this year.
A strong, athletic, 6’3”, 270-pound defensive end, Odighizuwa excels at creating disruption up front—often taking on multiple blockers to free up linebackers like Kendricks to make plays from behind him—in the Bruins’ 3-4 defensive scheme. Possessing the skills to play both outside and inside, the Senior Bowl invite is a scheme-versatile prospect whose game should translate well to the next level.
Cactus Bowl (Jan. 2)
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Washington: Shaq Thompson, OLB/SS/RB (Jr.)
Washington has three active players on its defense—edge defender Hau'oli Kikaha, defensive tackle Danny Shelton and Thompson—who should all be first-round draft picks. Any of them would be a worthy choice for this slot, but Thompson has the most upside, versatility and playmaking ability among them.
A tremendous athlete, Thompson is a 6’1”, 228-pound player who started his career as a defensive back, moved to linebacker as a sophomore and made a temporary move to running back this season, before going back to the defensive side of the ball. He has excelled in every role. Also a standout on special teams, he projects best as a linebacker/safety hybrid in the NFL, but his versatility is what makes him so valuable, likely a top-15 draft pick if he declares.
Oklahoma State: James Castleman, DT
A disruptive defensive tackle around the line of scrimmage, Castleman is the most likely player among Oklahoma State’s seniors to get a call from an NFL team during the 2015 draft.
There’s nothing spectacular about Castleman’s game, but the 6’2”, 300-pound defensive tackle does a good job of shedding blocks on the line of scrimmage to make stops. Invited to the East-West Shrine Game, he’ll have a good shot at being a Day 3 draft pick if he can finish his senior year strong.
Birmingham Bowl (Jan. 3)
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East Carolina: Justin Hardy, WR
The all-time FBS leader in receptions with 376 for his career, Hardy is a smooth, sure-handed pass-catcher who projects as a likely slot receiver at the next level.
Hardy doesn’t have great size or speed by NFL standards, but he has the quickness to gain separation with his routes and to extend plays in the open field. He’ll have prime opportunities to prove his pro potential in the Birmingham Bowl, where he'll go up against star Florida sophomore cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, and in the Senior Bowl.
Florida: Dante Fowler Jr., DE (Jr.)
Quietly one of the most disruptive defensive players in college football, Fowler—who has already tweeted his intention to leave Florida after this season—should be a first-round pick in the 2015 draft.
An explosive athlete who has lined up all over the defensive front seven in his Florida career, Fowler has a great burst, generates good power and is aggressive with his hands. The 6’3”, 260-pound edge defender has a rare ability to cover ground for a man of his size, but he projects best as a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.
GoDaddy Bowl (Jan. 4)
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Toledo: Greg Mancz, C
A first-team All-MAC selection and a Shrine Game invite, Mancz is Toledo’s best bet to end the Rockets’ six-year drought of not having a draft pick.
Mancz is a four-year starter who has played every position on the offensive line except left tackle. At 6’5” and 300 pounds, center is his best fit at the next level, but his versatility increases his value as a potential Day 3 draft choice.
Arkansas State: Qushaun Lee, ILB
It’s unlikely that Arkansas State will have anyone selected in the 2015 draft, but Qushaun Lee is the Red Wolves’ top senior.
The team leader this season with 96 tackles, and also tied for the team lead with four interceptions, Lee is a good athlete who has been an active playmaker for his defense. The first-team All-Sun Belt selection is undersized for an NFL linebacker at only 5’11” and 225 pounds, so he’ll have to excel on special teams to make it as a pro.
Dan Hope is an NFL/NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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