2011 Bowl Predictions: Andrew Luck & Stars That Desperately Need Strong Outings

Bowl season is the last chance that NFL prospects get to wow scouts and rise up draft boards.

And while many top prospects appear destined for the first round, that's not to say their draft stock could be altered by a poor performance in a bowl game.

Here are four stars who need strong outings to solidify top draft positions.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

For many draft experts, Andrew Luck has already solidified his position as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. But there have been some risers, including Baylor's Robert Griffin III, who could give him a run for his money.

Luck has had another great season, but it has been slightly less spectacular than 2010. He threw six interceptions in his last five games, and in his biggest test against Oregon, he threw two picks.

Luck will be pitted against Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2, and it figures to be a shootout.

If Luck is outperformed by Weeden, particularly given the Cowboys' forgiving defense, there's a chance he could drop from the No. 1 spot.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery was generally considered the top wideout in the 2012 class for most of this season, but Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon has certainly made a case to be selected before Jeffery.

Although Jeffery has dealt with poor quarterback play for most of the season, it's still hard to ignore the numbers Blackmon has put up and the skills he has shown.

Jeffery is considered "questionable" for South Carolina's matchup with Nebraska at this point with a minor hand injury. If he doesn't play, that could hurt him if Blackmon plays well against Stanford.

If he does play, he will be matched up with top cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, who has played much better in the second half of the season and has been rising up most draft boards. If he is limited by Dennard, that could be the nail in the coffin.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

In the preseason, Quinton Coples was generally considered the No. 2 prospect for the 2012 NFL draft, right behind Andrew Luck.

But while he has had a solid season, he hasn't lived up to the expectations of being a possible No. 2 pick.

It's unlikely he'll reach that high a plateau at this point, but a big performance against Missouri in the Independence Bowl could spark him up draft boards headed into the combine.

And we all know, with his freakish athleticism, Coples could be drafted higher than his play would suggest after the combine.

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Dont'a Hightower has been a big part of Alabama's dominant defense this season, racking up 79 tackles, three sacks and one interception.

Given his versatility, Hightower could be used as a rush 3-4 linebacker or middle linebacker in the NFL.

If he plays well in the BCS Championship Game against No. 1 LSU, his stock will undoubtedly soar, possibly placing him on the Green Bay Packers or Baltimore Ravens in the late first round, and he could be picked even earlier.