10 Bowl Games with Best 2016 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch
College football has such a healthy respect for the NFL that it avoids holding bowl games on Sundays, leaving that day to the professionals. Fans of the pro game should return the favor by checking out as many bowl games as possible, especially if they're interested in seeing what the next batch of NFL stars are going to look like.
The bowls will serve as a swan song for many of college's best seniors, while the top juniors who have already declared for the NFL draft (or are likely to do so quite soon) can use the games as a launching point for their pro careers. The various senior all-star showcases and the combine will have a greater bearing on their draft prospects, but from a fan point of view, the bowls act like a 2016 NFL preview.
Every one of the 40 bowl games on tap over the next three weeks should feature at least one NFL draft prospect, but we've picked out 10 that have the most pro talent on display. The games are listed in order of the number of players listed on Bleacher Report NFL draft expert Matt Miller's most recent 2016 big board.
Citrus Bowl: Florida vs. Michigan
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When: Friday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. ET
Based on the recruiting work that first-year coaches Jim McElwain and Jim Harbaugh have done already, when Florida and Michigan meet to open the 2017 season, there should be quite a bit of NFL talent on display. For now, though, we have the remnants of what the previous regimes brought in and what the current coaching staffs managed to turn into a combined 19 wins this season.
Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III is the main attraction in this one. The junior hasn't formally declared, but Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has him No. 5 overall and the top defensive back on his big board, while WalterFootball.com has Hargreaves going fourth overall to the Baltimore Ravens.
Gators senior defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard is another one to watch, while Michigan's best draft-eligible prospect could be the first tight end taken this spring. Jake Butt, a junior, had 48 catches for 620 yards and three touchdowns this season. (Update: Butt has stated his intentions to return to Michigan for his senior year.)
Holiday Bowl: USC vs. Wisconsin
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When: Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 10:30 p.m. ET
The Holiday Bowl features teams that had a combined eight players drafted in the spring, including three in the first round. That talent exodus was noticeable on both sides, particularly with Wisconsin when it came to the program's traditional rushing dominance.
The Badgers continued to be impressive on defense this season, though, sitting third in total defense and first in scoring defense. And the anchors of that unit were a pair of seniors, linebacker Joe Schobert and edge-rusher Vince Biegel, who combined for 17.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss.
USC had six players drafted from its 2014 team, including its top running back and receiver and its best defensive lineman. They were replaced by younger stars who will be high on draft boards in a year or two, though the Trojans aren't lacking in draftable stars.
Topping that list is junior Su'a Cravens, whose career with USC has seen him play linebacker and safety and thus will be coveted by a long list of NFL teams with a need at either position. The same goes for senior center Max Tuerk, who has played every position on the Trojans offensive line but won't play in the Holiday Bowl after having surgery on a torn ACL.
USC senior quarterback Cody Kessler, a three-year starter, is considered the ninth-best draft-eligible quarterback by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller.
Alamo Bowl: Oregon vs. TCU
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When: Saturday, Jan. 2 at 6:45 p.m. ET
Oregon and TCU could have been playing in the semifinal games on New Year's Eve if not for a series of unfortunate injuries to key players. Instead, they'll meet in one of the most anticipated non-playoff matchups of bowl season, and most of those banged-up stars should be back for one last hurrah.
That includes TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson, a senior who led the nation in yards per game at 132.7 but missed most or all of the Horned Frogs' final four games with a wrist injury. He underwent surgery in November and hopes to be able to play, though it will depend on what doctors have to say.
"It's the last game of my college career ever," Doctson told ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach. "It's important for me to get back out there with my teammates."
It's also Trevone Boykin's last chance in a TCU uniform to show his stuff and convince scouts he is an NFL quarterback. The same goes for Oregon's Vernon Adams Jr., a senior who transferred from FCS Eastern Washington and didn't hit his stride until the second half of the season after dealing with a broken finger on his throwing hand.
The Alamo Bowl is projected to be a high-scoring game, but it won't be without some NFL talent on the defensive end. Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, is projected as the No. 18 pick in 2016 by WalterFootball.com.
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Foster Farms Bowl: Nebraska vs. UCLA
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When: Saturday, Dec. 26 at 9:15 p.m. ET
Nebraska's first season under Mike Riley can be classified as a major disappointment, since the Cornhuskers are only playing in a bowl game because not enough six-win teams existed to fill all the slots. And UCLA's fourth year led by Jim Mora had some high points, but losing to rival USC to end the regular season prevented it from winning a division title.
These underachieving teams can either end on a high note or go out with a whimper when they meet in Levi's Stadium in one of 15 bowl games set to be played on an NFL field. And several of the players who will suit up in this matchup could end up on that field on Sundays next fall.
Unfortunately, the best bet from those rosters isn't around anymore. UCLA junior linebacker Myles Jack declared for the draft midway through the 2015 season, not long after going down with a knee injury that required surgery.
UCLA will have other notable defenders on display in senior defensive tackle Kenny Clark and senior linebacker Aaron Wallace, who led the team in sacks and tackles for loss. The Bruins could also be saying goodbye to junior running back Paul Perkins, whose 3,420 career rushing yards are third-best in school history.
Nebraska's best draft prospect is also on defense—junior defensive tackle Maliek Collins.
Texas Bowl: LSU vs. Texas Tech
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When: Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. ET
In terms of 2016 NFL talent, the Texas Bowl could be as lopsided as the game itself is being pegged by many. But LSU hasn't lived up to expectations during the last half of this season, so just because its roster features five of the top 100 players on Bleacher Report NFL draft expert Matt Miller's big board doesn't guarantee the Tigers will win.
Cornerback Tre'Davious White, safety Jalen Mills, linebacker Kendell Beckwith and offensive linemen Vadal Alexander and Jerald Hawkins all figure to hear their names called this spring. Only Alexander and Mills are seniors, but WalterFootball.com pegs White as the No. 20 overall selection and Alexander at No. 22.
Junior receiver Travin Dural, if he were to turn pro, could also get drafted from the Tigers.
Texas Tech's best bet for the draft is Le'Raven Clark, whom NFL Draft Scout ranks as the ninth-best senior offensive tackle, while underrated seniors such as running back DeAndre Washington and Pete Robertson could make a name for themselves by performing well against an SEC school.
TaxSlayer Bowl: Georgia vs. Penn State
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When: Saturday, Jan. 2 at noon ET
Had Georgia's Nick Chubb not suffered a horrific knee injury midway through this season, the TaxSlayer Bowl might have ended up with the best matchup of young running backs of any postseason game. Sophomore Sony Michel against Penn State freshman Saquon Barkley is a nice consolation prize, but in reality it allows the soon-to-be-departed players from each team more in the spotlight.
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg has been high on draft boards since he started as a true freshman in 2013, and though his last two seasons haven't been as successful, he's still highly regarded. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has him 15th overall, since the 6'4” junior has the look of an NFL passer despite his struggles.
The rest of the draft-eligible players to watch in this game will mostly be on the defensive side of the ball, including some Georgia defenders who hope they can infiltrate Hackenberg's game film. Senior edge-rusher Jordan Jenkins and junior linebacker Leonard Floyd each had 10.5 tackles for loss in 2015, combining for 8.5 sacks along the way.
Penn State's defensive line will have some guys playing on Sundays next year as well. Seniors Carl Nassib and Anthony Zettel and junior Austin Johnson have combined for 24 sacks and 42.5 tackles for loss.
Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
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When: Friday, Jan. 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Ole Miss' first trip to the Sugar Bowl since 1970 is also likely to be a going-away party for a stellar junior class that has helped the Rebels win 26 games the last three seasons. That's assuming all of them will be able to play, though.
Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, listed by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller as the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2016 draft, was hospitalized over the weekend after falling out of a fourth-story window at an Atlanta hotel. He was later charged with marijuana possession, and his status for the game remains uncertain.
Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, whom Miller has eighth overall, had his own off-the-field run-ins before the season that caused him to miss Ole Miss' first seven games.
Skill-position stars Laquon Treadwell and Evan Engram escaped such issues, although Treadwell did spend most of the offseason rehabbing a major leg injury suffered in November 2014. The receiver returned better than ever, with 76 catches for 1,082 yards and eight TDs, and Miller has him as his top wideout prospect.
Oklahoma State's roster is heavily weighted in underclassmen, but it does feature one prospect who will be coveted if he comes out. Junior defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, who has 13 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, is listed as the No. 31 pick in ESPN draft expert Todd McShay's projections.
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Oklahoma
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When: Thursday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. ET
This is the second year in a row that Clemson and Oklahoma are meeting in a bowl game. If it happens a third straight season, that matchup could end up having the most top draft prospects of any postseason contest, since a great deal of the best players from each team are freshmen or sophomores.
As it stands, though, a good amount of pro talent will be on display in this national semifinal. And most of it will be on the defensive side.
Clemson's three best draft-eligible players—junior defensive end Shaq Lawson, junior safety Jayron Kearse and redshirt sophomore cornerback Mackensie Alexander—are all among Bleacher Report NFL draft expert Matt Miller's top 100 prospects. Lawson has already declared, announcing his decision Monday.
Junior tight end Jordan Leggett could also turn pro, but nearly every other significant skill-position player for the Tigers has at least a year to go before being draft-eligible.
Oklahoma's offensive scenario is somewhat similar, aside from senior wide receiver Sterling Shepard. There are other draft-eligible players such as quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Dede Westbrook, though each is expected to return to a unit that brings back talented rushers Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine.
The Sooners defense will lose seniors Charles Tapper and Eric Striker, among others, and juniors such as linebacker Dominique Alexander and defensive back Zack Sanchez could also leave.
Cotton Bowl: Alabama vs. Michigan State
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When: Thursday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET
Any bowl game involving Alabama is going to be high on the list of games that are overloaded with NFL talent, and the Cotton Bowl semifinal is no different. But unlike the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State last year, the Crimson Tide's opponent should see some notable players get drafted in a few months as well.
Alabama has five players on Matt Miller's big board, including three members of the vaunted front seven (linemen A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed and linebacker Reggie Ragland). They were the backbone of a defense that ranks second in FBS in yards allowed, at 258.2 per game.
The Tide's expected offensive draftees aren't as highly rated, with Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry sitting at No. 99 overall on Miller's board, but there's little doubt he'll get drafted in the spring. The same goes for tight end O.J. Howard, whose college career hasn't been exceptional, but since he's 6'6" and 242 pounds, someone will take a flier on him.
Michigan State's prospects are highlighted by a trio of seniors who opted to stick in school for another year rather than turn pro after 2014. Quarterback Connor Cook, center Jack Allen and defensive end Shilique Calhoun probably all would have been drafted relatively early a year ago, but by coming back they have helped the Spartans get in position to win a national title.
Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
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When: Friday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. ET
The Fiesta Bowl picked up a new sponsor this season in BattleFrog, an organizer of extreme obstacle races. The NFL might have been wise to swoop in and put its seal on this game's logo as a promoter, since there's going to be an endless supply of upcoming pro players in action.
"If the NFL draft is soon to consume all of your Interneting interests, then here's a bowl game that weaves your two football passions together," Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer wrote. "Notre Dame and Ohio State aren’t just playing for a Fiesta Bowl; many of the players are playing for a final bit of quality film for scouts."
A whopping 16 players from Bleacher Report NFL draft expert Matt Miller's big board hail from Ohio State (10) and Notre Dame (six), including four of the top nine: Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, OSU defensive end Joey Bosa, Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and OSU running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Most of the prospects in this game are juniors, and while Elliott has already declared, most haven't made their future plans public. Considering the amount of early entry possibilities set to play in University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, it might be an opportunity to adopt a tradition from the high school All-American games that are set for January.
In those contests, uncommitted prep prospects make their pledges live on television, some before or after the game but others during scheduled breaks in the action. Wouldn't it be something if Smith or Bosa ran off the field after making a big tackle, sauntered over to a sideline camera and held up a hat with the NFL insignia on it?
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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