The Most Underrated NFL Draft Prospect in Every Bowl Game

At long last, the 2014-15 college football bowl season is upon us. When Nevada and Louisiana-Lafayette kick off in the New Orleans Bowl Saturday morning, the 39-game bowl slate will begin. From the New Orleans Bowl to the first College Football Playoff National Championship Game Jan. 12, we’ll see plenty of action across the football spectrum, some more exciting than the rest, to be sure.

Chances are, you’re going to be off from work and enjoying the holiday season, so you’ll watch, regardless. But why should you watch? Well, for many players, bowl games are not only a final chance to succeed in their college uniforms. They’re an opportunity to impress NFL scouts.

Once the bowl season ends, the 2015 NFL draft season will begin, with players working to improve their stock for next spring’s NFL draft. What players should you watch? Here’s a look at the most underrated NFL draft prospect in each bowl game.

New Orleans Bowl

Cathleen Allison/Associated Press

Nevada's Cody Fajardo has excellent athleticism.

Three years ago, the San Francisco 49ers plucked a somewhat unknown quarterback named Colin Kaepernick out of Nevada. Kaepernick was a raw prospect but had tremendous skills both running and passing. That gamble has paid off, as Kaepernick has become the 49ers’ franchise quarterback.

This season, the Wolf Pack has another potential gem in senior quarterback Cody Fajardo. Fajardo is a dual-threat quarterback who can make defenses pay in multiple ways. He has 2,374 yards passing with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and is also Nevada’s leading rusher with 997 yards and 13 touchdowns, including a 60-yard touchdown. Regarded as a middle-round pick, Fajardo could make some NFL team very happy this spring.

New Mexico Bowl

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Eric Tomlinson could be a solid developmental project at tight end.

UTEP hasn’t made much of a splash on the national scene recently. The Miners have made only three bowls in the past 10 seasons, and this New Mexico Bowl showdown against Utah State is the program’s first bowl since the 2010 New Mexico Bowl, a 52-24 loss to BYU.

So many of UTEP’s players simply aren’t well-known. But senior tight end Eric Tomlinson could be an intriguing draft prospect. Tomlinson has 18 receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown this season, but he does have impressive size at 6’7”, 270 pounds. And he has 58 receptions for 541 yards and four touchdowns in his career. Tomlinson could be an interesting prospect for a team willing to take a chance on a developmental player.

Las Vegas Bowl

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Dee Hart found success following a transfer to Colorado State.

Dee Hart never lived up to his recruiting hype at Alabama, but as it turned out, a change of scenery was just what the former Crimson Tide tailback needed to find his potential. Hart transferred to Colorado State to join former offensive coordinator Jim McElwain, and the results were stupendous.

Hart played a huge role in the Rams’ surge to a 10-2 record (and McElwain’s emergence as Florida’s new head coach). This season, he rushed for 1,254 yards and 16 touchdowns, including a 76-yard touchdown burst. Hart has seven 100-yard rushing efforts on the season, including in each of the Rams’ last four games. He stands at just 5’9”, 190 pounds, but he has excellent speed and could be a solid middle-round pick for a backfield-needy team.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Matt Marton/Associated Press

Donald Celiscar could find his way onto an NFL roster.

Western Michigan enjoyed a resurgent season in 2014, going 8-4 and garnering an invitation to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against Air Force. The Broncos’ defense was solid, and one of the biggest reasons why was senior cornerback Donald Celiscar.

Celiscar had a very solid senior season, making 60 tackles, breaking up 17 passes and making four interceptions. He clearly has a nose for the ball. Celiscar stands 5’11”, 183 pounds, but his ball-hawking skills could make him an intriguing late-round target for a team looking for a corner with playmaking ability.

Camellia Bowl

G.M. Andrews/Associated Press

Wes Saxton is an intriguing NFL draft prospect with size and athleticism.

South Alabama is one of the more fascinating stories of this bowl season. The Jaguars, one of the newest teams in the FBS, are in their first bowl after finishing 6-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. They’ll face off with MAC foe Bowling Green in the inaugural Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. just two hours up I-65 from their Mobile campus.

South Alabama has never had a NFL draft pick but hope that changes this spring. Senior tight end Wes Saxton has caught the attention of NFL scouts. Saxton stands 6’4”, 235 pounds and has excellent athleticism. He can be a mismatch for foes downfield in pass coverage with speed and athletic ability.

He has just 20 receptions for 155 yards this season but is coming off a 50-catch, 635-yard junior season. The Senior Bowl is held in USA’s home stadium, and it’d be fun to see Saxton get attention there, too.

Miami Beach Bowl

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

Jordan Leslie could put up big numbers in the Miami Beach Bowl.

The Miami Beach Bowl features a pair of teams headed in different directions. Before quarterback Taysom Hill suffered a season-ending broken leg, BYU had designs on an undefeated season but finished 8-4. Memphis is one of the nation’s best turnaround stories under coach Justin Fuente and is very happy to be in Miami Beach, for certain.

The Cougars have an excellent playmaking receiver in senior receiver Jordan Leslie. Leslie stands 6’3”, 215 pounds and has downfield ability. He has 54 receptions for 756 yards and five touchdowns this season, and he will have another chance to showcase his abilities against Memphis in South Florida.

Boca Raton Bowl

Chris Tilley/Associated Press

Tommy Shuler is one of college football's most productive receivers.

The inaugural Boca Raton Bowl features a pair of college football mid-major powers in Marshall and Northern Illinois. The Huskies garnered an at-large BCS bid two years ago, and the Thundering Herd was in line to grab the “Group of Five” bid before falling 67-66 in double overtime to Western Kentucky.

Most serious college football fans know about Marshall senior quarterback Rakeem Cato, but how about his best target? Marshall senior receiver Tommy Shuler stands only 5’7”, 188 pounds, but he is one of the game’s most productive receivers. He is one of only eight collegiate receivers ever with a pair of 100-reception seasons. He slipped a bit this season, catching 74 passes for 953 yards and eight scores, but he remains extremely dangerous.

Shuler has excellent speed and hands, and it’ll be fun to see he and Cato work together one last time in Boca Raton, Fla.

Poinsettia Bowl

Otto Kitsinger/Associated Press

San Diego State's offense ran smoothly with help from lineman Terry Poole this fall.

Dec. 23’s Poinsettia Bowl will be a home-friendly affair for both sides. Navy will take on San Diego State, and while Qualcomm Stadium is the Aztecs’ home field, San Diego is also an important base for the U.S. Navy, which should provide plenty of fan support for the Midshipmen.

San Diego State hasn’t received a lot of national attention in the Mountain West, but one draft-eligible player to watch is senior left tackle Terry Poole. Poole stands 6’5”, 310 pounds and made a successful transition to left tackle duties this season. He helped SDSU rush for 218.6 yards per game, which ranks No. 28 nationally. Poole has the frame to excel at the next level and has already accepted a bid to play in the East-West Shrine Game.

Bahamas Bowl

BRADLEY LEEB/Associated Press

Leon Allen has been highly productive for Western Kentucky this fall.

Christmas Eve will get off to an interesting start when Central Michigan and Western Kentucky face off in the inaugural Bahamas Bowl. Both teams are 7-5, and one of the most intriguing players is Western Kentucky junior tailback Leon Allen. Allen had a breakout season in 2014, rushing for 1,490 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 46 receptions for 431 yards and three scores through the air.

Allen had six 100-yard games this season, but two stand out: a 345-yard, three-touchdown effort against Army and a 237-yard, one-score effort against Marshall. There are no guarantees that the junior will declare for the draft, but at 6’1”, 235 pounds, he has excellent size and has displayed production as well as versatility. He’ll be a fun player to focus on in the Bahamas.

Hawai'i Bowl

Gary Kazanjian/Associated Press

Josh Harper has been very productive this fall for Fresno State.

Fresno State had a bit of a down season this year, slipping to 6-7; the Bulldogs needed an NCAA waiver to participate in the Hawai’i Bowl against Rice after falling in the Mountain West title game to Boise State. However, that wasn’t the fault of senior receiver Josh Harper. The 6’1”, 185-pounder was consistently one of the best parts of the Bulldogs’ offense.

This season, Harper caught 86 passes for 1,072 yards and seven touchdowns, which marked his second consecutive 1,000-yard season (he had 1,011 yards as a junior). Harper had only two 100-yard receiving games but was consistently productive with at least three receptions in every game. He’ll certainly garner attention from NFL scouts on the island and beyond.

Heart of Dallas Bowl

BRADLEY LEEB/Associated Press

Zane Petty was a highly productive defender for Illinois this fall.

2014 was an up-and-down season for Illinois. The Fighting Illini shook off rumors about coach Tim Beckman’s job security, patching together six wins by beating rival Northwestern in the season finale to qualify for the Heart of Dallas Bowl against Louisiana Tech.

One of the most productive players on the Fighting Illini defense was senior safety Zane Petty. Petty was a leader for Illinois in the secondary, piling up 104 tackles with eight pass breakups. It’s unclear whether Illinois will have anyone drafted, but Petty’s production could get the attention of NFL teams looking for an active safety.

Quick Lane Bowl

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Tim Scott is a versatile, productive secondary member for North Carolina.

2014 was a big disappointment for North Carolina. The Tar Heels hoped to build on last season’s fast finish (six wins in the final seven games) but never really got going in a 6-6 season. One of the bright spots? Defensive back Tim Scott. Scott was a two-year starter at cornerback before moving to safety for last season’s Belk Bowl, and he impressed coaches so much that the move was made permanent.

This season, he had 72 tackles, an interception, seven pass breakups and eight passes defended for the Tar Heels. His versatility is a huge plus, and he’ll get to display it against Rutgers and quarterback Gary Nova in Detroit.

St. Petersburg Bowl

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Thomas Teal was a key cog for N.C. State's defense this fall.

Playing in a bowl sponsored by a form of virtual currency (Bitcoin) isn’t exactly the ultimate postseason destination for most teams, but N.C. State will gladly take it. After a 3-9 record in Dave Doeren’s debut season, the Wolfpack was happy to put together a 7-5 record and qualify for a St. Petersburg Bowl showdown against Central Florida.

This game is a bit light on front-line NFL draft talent, but N.C. State senior defensive tackle Thomas Teal is intriguing regardless. At 6’1”, 296 pounds, Teal has solid size and is an excellent run-stopper. He is strong off the ball and is capable of getting past his opponent to make a big play in the opponent’s backfield.

This fall, he had 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks for the Pack. He’ll have one last chance to impress in an N.C. State uniform against the Golden Knights and could be a mid-round draft pick.

Military Bowl

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Detrick Bonner is one of Virginia Tech's most versatile players.

Annapolis, Md. in late December certainly isn’t where Virginia Tech figured its 2014 season would wind up, particularly after September’s momentum-building win at Ohio State. But a Military Bowl matchup against Cincinnati (9-3) is exactly where Virginia Tech (6-6) finds itself. The Hokies’ season was disappointing, but, as usual, Bud Foster’s defense has produced multiple potential NFL draft prospects.

One of the most intriguing is senior free safety Detrick Bonner. Bonner is a three-year starter who is a veteran of multiple positions, including safety, cornerback and whip linebacker. He has great athleticism, range and versatility and is strong for his 6’0”, 194-pound frame. This fall, he had 68 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He is a potential mid-round selection and will have a chance to show his wares against the Bearcats.

Sun Bowl

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

D.J. Foster was one of college football's top all-around playmakers this fall.

Arizona State has one of the nation’s most potent offenses, averaging 37 points per game, which ranks No. 18 nationally. The Sun Devils will get a chance to show it off close to home on Dec. 27 in the Sun Bowl against Duke. While wide receiver Jaelen Strong has garnered plenty of attention, and with good reason, junior tailback D.J. Foster is one of the nation’s most versatile players.

This fall, Foster rushed for 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns and also caught 59 passes for 646 yards and three scores through the air. He is the kind of player who is capable of scoring whenever he touches the ball with excellent speed and burst. Defenses must account for him all over the field, and the Blue Devils will certainly need to do so in El Paso. As a junior, Foster’s NFL draft status is uncertain, but he’d be a popular pick for a team looking to add some punch to its offense.

Independence Bowl

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Mike Davis has been a very productive tailback for South Carolina.

For a bowl that takes its share of derision from national sources, the Independence Bowl has a solid matchup this season. Miami and South Carolina both suffered disappointing 6-6 seasons, but both teams have more than their share of NFL talent dotting their rosters. Both teams have potential NFL tailbacks in Miami’s Duke Johnson and South Carolina’s Mike Davis, and Davis is probably the more underrated of the two.

Coming off a 1,183-yard sophomore season, Davis backslid a bit this season; he’ll enter Shreveport with 927 yards and nine touchdowns. At 5’9”, 223 pounds, he has solid power rushing ability as well as some breakaway speed. He is expected to declare for the NFL draft following the game and could provide solid mid-round value for a team hoping to upgrade its backfield.

Pinstripe Bowl

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Jesse James has potential as an athletic NFL tight end.

It was a rather ugly season for Penn State’s offense in 2014. The Nittany Lions struggled to block consistently for quarterback Christian Hackenberg, and his stats took a major step backward. After throwing for 20 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 2013, the sophomore threw just eight touchdowns against 15 picks this fall. However, he did find an intriguing weapon in junior tight end Jesse James.

James, who stands 6’7”, 254 pounds, had a very good season, catching 35 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns. He could improve as a blocker but has impressive athleticism and pass-catching ability for a man of his size. James could enhance his stock with another season of college, or he could be a steal for a tight-end needy team if he declares.

Holiday Bowl

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Nelson Agholor is one of college football's most versatile talents.

The Holiday Bowl will feature plenty of talent on both Nebraska and Southern California’s sidelines, so it might be easy for players to get lost in the shuffle. That shouldn’t be the case with Southern California junior Nelson Agholor.

This fall, Agholor finally got the opportunity to serve as Southern California’s No. 1 receiver. And he didn’t disappoint. Agholor put together a 97-catch season, pulling in 1,223 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He is one of college football’s  most explosive players, a prolific deep threat who is also an excellent punt returner. In his final six games, he surpassed 100 receiving yards five times, including a pair of 200-yard games. His NFL draft status is uncertain, but he’d give any receiving corps a major boost of talent.

Liberty Bowl

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

West Virginia's Shaq Riddick has an NFL body and NFL potential.

The Liberty Bowl features an intriguing matchup of pass-first offenses descended from the Mike Leach Air Raid tree in Texas A&M and West Virginia, but that just means there’ll be plenty of opportunities for defenses to make their mark, too.

One of the more intriguing defensive prospects in the game is West Virginia defensive end Shaq Riddick. Riddick made the move up from the FCS level following three seasons at Gardner-Webb and played a big role on the Mountaineers’ defense this fall, making 26 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

He is a long, lean player and has the ability to use athleticism against defensive tackles. He could be a strong mid-round value for an NFL team come spring.

Russell Athletic Bowl

RICHARD SHIRO/Associated Press

Stephone Anthony has been the man in the middle of Clemson's defense.

One of the more interesting pre-New Year’s matchups happens in Orlando, Fla. when Clemson and Oklahoma tangle in the Russell Athletic Bowl. While plenty of pre-game hype will be focused on Clemson All-America defensive end Vic Beasley, one of the top prospects in next spring’s NFL draft, scouts will certainly be paying attention to Clemson senior middle linebacker Stephone Anthony.

Anthony has served as a rock in the middle of the Tigers’ front seven, with excellent leadership ability as well as sideline-to-sideline tackling skills. This fall, he had 73 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He will miss the first half of the game as punishment for a targeting foul committed in the regular-season finale against South Carolina but will be a player to watch in the second half. He could be an early round selection for a linebacker-needy team.

Texas Bowl

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Jonathan Williams played a huge role in Arkansas' push for a bowl bid.

Arkansas’ march back toward postseason eligibility was achieved by a familiar formula from coach Bret Bielema: big backs who run behind a strong offensive line, over and over. Repeat as necessary. The Razorbacks had an excellent 1-2 punch in Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, both of whom surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season.

Williams is the power back of the two. He had 1,085 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, showing off burst from his 6’0”, 225-pound frame. He is capable of breaking off big runs, too, as a 90-yard run against FCS foe Nicholls State showed. As a junior, his draft status is uncertain, but he put some intriguing highlights on his NFL draft reel this fall. Facing off against old Southwest Conference foe Texas is an interesting way to end his junior season.

Music City Bowl

Phil Sandlin/Associated Press

Danielle Hunter could be the next great LSU defensive end.

The Music City Bowl is hardly the place you’d expect to see a nationally relevant matchup like Notre Dame-LSU, but we’ll take it where we can get it. Both teams have rosters loaded with potential NFL talent, although Les Miles and LSU might be a bit further away from providing it to hungry teams after 17 players declared early over the last two draft cycles.

That said, LSU junior defensive end Danielle Hunter could be the next to join the draft parade. At 6’6”, 241 pounds, Hunter is a dangerous pass-rusher who has drawn looks as a late first-round draft pick. He has an expansive frame and excellent burst at the line to beat offensive tackles. He could stand to gain more weight to perform better against the run, but his frame makes him an intriguing prospect for NFL talent evaluators.

Belk Bowl

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

Damian Swann was one of Georgia's best defensive backs this fall.

One of the most intriguing storylines of the Belk Bowl between Georgia and Louisville will be the matchup between Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and his former UGA defense, now run by former Florida State defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Georgia’s defense showed improvement this season, allowing 21.3 points per game, No. 25 nationally.

The Bulldogs’ defense has tons of talent, but one of its steadiest players was senior cornerback Damian Swann. Swann stands 5’11”, 178 pounds and has excellent playmaking ability.

Last fall, he played a role in forcing eight turnovers, and he was similarly impactful in 2014. Swann has 62 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and a fumble returned 99 yards for a touchdown. He’ll be a likely late-round selection but could provide impressive value for a team looking for big plays in its defense.

Foster Farms Bowl

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Stefon Diggs is one of the Big Ten's most exciting players.

A Maryland-Stanford matchup doesn’t exactly get the heart racing, but those who tune in should hope Maryland wide receiver Stefon Diggs is cleared to play. The draft-eligible junior has been one of college football’s most exciting players over the past three seasons when he’s been healthy. That’s the key.

Last season, Diggs’ season was cut short by a broken ankle, and he missed the last three games of 2014 with a lacerated kidney. When on the field, Diggs has been special. In nine games this fall, he had 52 receptions for 654 yards and five touchdowns. He is a big-play receiver who can also return punts and kicks. He’s a fun player to watch, and NFL scouts will certainly have their eyes trained on him if he plays in Santa Clara.

Peach Bowl

Thomas Graning/Associated Press

Senquez Golson emerged as one of the nation's top cornerbacks this fall.

The Peach Bowl features a pair of teams that proved themselves in a big way on a national level this fall. TCU rebounded from a 4-8 season and barely missed the College Football Playoff with an 11-1 record. Ole Miss rose above SEC West mediocrity with a 9-3 record that included wins over SEC West rivals Alabama and Mississippi State.

The Rebels had an excellent defense that allowed 13.8 points per game, tops nationally. One of the keys was senior cornerback Senquez Golson, who proved himself as one of the nation’s top cover corners, making 41 tackles with nine interceptions and eight pass breakups. Golson will have a big assignment in the Georgia Dome chasing down Trevone Boykin’s passes. It’ll be an important NFL draft showcase for the All-American.

Fiesta Bowl

Dean Hare/Associated Press

Transfer Cayleb Jones had an amazing season for Arizona.

Arizona had a breakout offensive season, averaging 34.8 points per game, which ranks No. 28 nationally. Redshirt freshman quarterback Anu Solomon and freshman tailback Nick Wilson were key cogs but so was sophomore receiver Cayleb Jones. The Texas transfer had a tremendous season, making 65 receptions for 902 yards and nine touchdowns.

At 6’3”, 215 pounds, Jones has the size to thrive at the next level, and he has a solid NFL lineage. His father, Robert Jones, was a 12-year NFL veteran, and his uncle, Jeff Blake, was a standout NFL quarterback. It’s unclear whether he’d consider jumping, but Jones is draft-eligible after sitting out as a transfer last fall. If so, the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State could serve as a showcase for scouts.

Orange Bowl

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

Josh Robinson was a powerful tailback for Mississippi State this fall.

While much of the attention surrounding Mississippi State’s 10-2 breakout season was connected to junior quarterback Dak Prescott, the Bulldogs’ offense wouldn’t have hit the heights it did without junior tailback Josh Robinson. Robinson had an impressive season, rushing for 1,128 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 370 yards and a touchdown through the air.

At 5’9”, 215 pounds, Robinson is a bowling ball of a back who is tough to tackle once he gets going. As a junior, his draft stock is unclear, but he could add serious thump to an NFL backfield whenever he makes it to the next level.

He told Michael Bonner of The (Jackson) Clarion-Ledger that he has sent his evaluation for the NFL draft. 

"You just have to play it by ear," Robinson said. "I get on my knees and pray about it daily and whatever happens, happens."

Outback Bowl

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Sammie Coates has deep speed that could help an NFL team.

One thing is for certain about the Outback Bowl: It will not lack for talent. The main attraction will be Heisman Trophy runner-up Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin, who rushed for over 2,000 yards this season and has already declared for the NFL draft. The Badgers’ opponent, Auburn, has plenty of talent, too, with senior quarterback Nick Marshall, senior center and Rimington Trophy winner Reese Dismukes, wideout D’haquille Williams and more.

One of the most interesting talents will be junior receiver Sammie Coates. At 6’2”, 201 pounds, Coates has already declared for the draft, per AL.com's Brandon Marcello, and proven himself as a big-play talent. A year ago, he had 42 receptions for 902 yards and seven touchdowns. His numbers are down a bit this season (30 receptions, 717 yards, four scores), but he has flashed plenty of talent.

Coates is coming off a five-catch, 206-yard, two-touchdown effort against Alabama, with a long gain of 68 yards. He has excellent speed and could be a good second-round value for a lucky team.

Cotton Bowl

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Tony Lippett is one of the Big Ten's best receivers.

When the Cotton Bowl kicks off in AT&T Stadium, there’ll be no shortage of intriguing options for NFL scouts all across the field. With good reason. Both Baylor and Michigan State were serious College Football Playoff contenders, with the Bears falling just short of one of the coveted four bids to the inaugural playoff.

Players like Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty, Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook, Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman and Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun will all gain the attention of talent evaluators, but one of the most underrated options will be catching passes from Cook.

This fall, senior Tony Lippett emerged as the Spartans’ No. 1 receiving option. Following a 613-yard junior season, Lippett caught 60 passes for 1,124 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior, emerging as one of the Big Ten’s top receivers and Cook’s clear top target. He had five 100-yard receiving games and caught passes all over the field. The Bears yield 260 passing yards per game, No. 101 nationally, meaning there should be plenty of opportunities for Lippett in his collegiate finale.

Citrus Bowl

Andy Manis/Associated Press

David Cobb had an excellent season in Minnesota's backfield.

With Missouri and Minnesota in the house, the Citrus Bowl will feature a pair of teams that are very happy to be there in Missouri and Minnesota. Missouri surprised many by capturing the SEC East for the second consecutive season, and Minnesota was in the Big Ten West race until the season’s final day, finishing 8-4.

There are plenty of under-the-radar players here, but one of the best is Minnesota senior tailback David Cobb. Cobb is a powerful runner whose success fueled the Gophers’ offense. He rushed for 1,548 yards with 13 touchdowns and ranks ninth nationally among FBS rushers. Missouri has the nation’s No. 30 rush defense, but Cobb will get more than his share of carries in Orlando, Fla. to show off for NFL scouts in attendance.

Rose Bowl

Ryan Kang/Associated Press

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will have fun defending Jameis Winston and Florida State in the Rose Bowl.

There are myriad storylines in the Rose Bowl. 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota vs. 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. Oregon’s push for a national championship vs. Florida State’s battle for a second consecutive national title. Talent spread across the field. While much of the attention will be focused on Mariota vs. Winston, fans should focus some attention on Oregon senior cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.

The 5’10”, 195-pound senior had 63 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass breakups this season while defending 11 passes. Those stats seem a bit light, but opposing offenses had great respect for Ekpre-Olomu, often choosing to throw away from his side of the field. He is an excellent tackler, and one of his picks, a falling-down grab against Michigan State, was one of the defensive highlights of the season. He’ll make a nice addition to an NFL secondary next fall.

Sugar Bowl

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Power-running T.J. Yeldon is a force in Alabama's backfield.

The nightcap on New Year’s Day will be one of the season’s best games, a matchup of traditional college football powers. Alabama has been the nation’s clear No. 1 team for much of the season, while Ohio State overcame an early loss to Virginia Tech with gusto. The Buckeyes went undefeated the rest of the way, earning a playoff spot with a 59-0 rout of Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. Both teams have plenty of NFL talent, so it’s possible for players to get lost in the shuffle.

This fall, Alabama’s offense took a high-flying tack with new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who utilized Amari Cooper to the tune of 115 receptions, 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns. It might be easy to forget that the Crimson Tide has a power back in junior T.J. Yeldon.

After rushing for 2,343 yards and 26 touchdowns in his first two collegiate seasons, Yeldon’s stats were a bit down this season. He rushed for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, at 6’2”, 221 pounds, Yeldon is a bruising runner who is very tough to bring down. While tailbacks have been devalued in the NFL recently, Yeldon fits the mold of former teammate Eddie Lacy, who has been a star in Green Bay’s backfield. He could be an excellent fit for a power-running offense. Per NFL.com's Chase Goodbread, Yeldon could be even better than Lacy as a pro. 

Armed Forces Bowl

TOM UHLMAN/Associated Press

Houston's Deontay Greenberry has been a very productive receiver.

Forgive the teams in the Armed Forces Bowl if they feel a bit abandoned. Houston fired coach Tony Levine after compiling a 7-5 record in his third season, and while Pitt went 6-6, the Panthers appear likely to have an interim coach in the game as Paul Chryst appears ready to take the Wisconsin vacancy and continue Pitt’s parade of coaches.

So why watch this game, which could feature interim coaches on both sides? Well, start with Houston receiver Deontay Greenberry. Greenberry stands 6’3”, 200 pounds and has skill to burn. Last fall, he had 82 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he slipped this fall, catching 68 passes for 756 yards and four touchdowns. Greenberry has excellent hands and downfield skills, and while he’s a junior, he could test the NFL draft waters, especially with a new coach and new system on the way.

Taxslayer.com Bowl

Justin Hayworth/Associated Press

Iowa's Carl Davis has been one of the Big Ten's best defensive linemen.

When Iowa and Tennessee face off in the Taxslayer.com Bowl, much of the draft attention will be focused on Iowa senior left tackle Brandon Scherff and with good reason. Scherff continues the Hawkeyes’ strong tradition of offensive linemen as the Outland Trophy winner, and he’s sure to be a high selection in next spring’s NFL draft.

But draftniks looking for value would be wise to focus on the man who spent the last four years lining up across from Scherff in practice: Iowa senior defensive tackle Carl Davis. Davis had an excellent senior season, piling up 34 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.

He stands 6’5”, 315 pounds and is an excellent run-stuffer but can also elude blockers and get into backfields to wreak havoc. He has great strength and will be a valuable addition to an NFL defensive line next fall.

Alamo Bowl

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Eric Kendricks has been one of college football's most productive linebackers.

When Kansas State and UCLA face off in the Alamo Bowl, the spotlight will be focused on UCLA junior quarterback Brett Hundley, who’ll be playing his final collegiate game. But don’t forget to watch the Bruins’ defense, which features a very productive linebacker in Eric Kendricks. Kendricks has put together three consecutive 100-tackle seasons, an impressive feat for any collegiate player.

This fall, he has 139 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and three interceptions. He had 150 tackles in 2012 and “dropped off” to 106 last fall thanks to some injury issues. Kendricks has excellent instincts and hitting ability and good agility and balance. He’ll be a strong addition to any NFL team’s linebacker corps.

Cactus Bowl

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Hau’oli Kikaha has been one of the most dangerous ends in college football.

Lost in the hype over Washington two-way star linebacker/running back Shaq Thompson (who’ll face off against Oklahoma State in the Cactus Bowl) has been the play of another standout Husky defender who only plays defense. Hau’oli Kikaha put up some very impressive stats this fall. While it was hard to know exactly what to expect from the hybrid linebacker/defensive end due to a pair of previous ACL tears, Kikaha showed what he can do when he is healthy.

He put up 67 tackles, 24.0 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks (the latter two Washington single-season records) and was honored as an All-American and Lombardi finalist. Kikaha played all over the field and was relentless. He could fit in as a rush linebacker at the next level, and while there will be concerns over his knees, he’ll be a great value no matter where he is selected.

Birmingham Bowl

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Shane Carden has been one of college football's most prolific quarterbacks.

While the Birmingham Bowl isn’t the most marquee bowl on the holiday schedule, East Carolina and Florida don’t lack for talent or intriguing players who’ll gain interest from NFL coaches and scouts. One of the most interesting under-the-radar pro prospects is East Carolina senior quarterback Shane Carden.

Carden has thrived in ECU’s throw-it-up offense, putting up over 11,500 career passing yards. This season, he threw for 4,309 yards with 28 touchdowns against eight interceptions, completing 65 percent of his passes. With standout wideout Justin Hardy to throw to, Carden could put up big numbers in his collegiate finale against the Gators’ defense.

GoDaddy Bowl

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

Arkansas State linebacker Qushaun Lee has been highly prolific for the Red Wolves.

The final bowl game before Jan. 12’s College Football Playoff Championship features a pair of teams who’ll be very excited to be in Mobile in Arkansas State (7-5) and Toledo (8-4). And if you haven’t had your fill of football by this point, well, then you’ll  probably tune in to watch the GoDaddy Bowl, too.

Neither team has exceptional NFL draft prospects, but one player to watch is Arkansas State senior linebacker Qushaun Lee. Lee had a solid final season with 96 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and four interceptions as a very active player. He stands at just 5’11”, 225 pounds but could find his way onto a roster with his all-around playmaking ability.