2011 Bowl Games: Andrew Luck and Players with the Most to Prove

The 2012 NFL draft is going to be here before you know it.

That means we are going to see players who have breakout bowl games and workout warriors at the combine vaulting into the first-round, despite the fact that they had poor to average regular seasons.

This happens every year and the draft is a “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately” kind of a deal.

Which means these next three kids really need to make sure they cap off their collegiate career with a solid bowl performance.

Andrew Luck

Luck was the most surefire quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning and still is in a large majority of scout, GMs and fans eyes.

However, Stanford’s loss to Oregon hurt him in some aspect and losing the Heisman Trophy to Robert Griffin III also knocked him down another notch.

Now he has a chance to redeem himself and make sure everyone thinks he is the top overall prospect with a huge Fiesta Bowl outing against the Oklahoma State Pokes.

Dre Kirkpatrick

This 6’3”, 192-pound Alabama cornerback is an absolute monster on paper.

Teams are somewhat leery that he can translate his game to the pros despite being an excellent, all-around defensive back for one of the best defensive teams in college football.

If Kirkpatrick can come up with some big plays against LSU in the national championship game, there is no doubt he is selected in the top eight and quite possibly higher.

Quinton Coples

Coples had a very tough campaign after being one of the top “must-watch” prospects to start the season.

His production was down from last season and he struggled to beat double teams while displaying a lack of passion for the game at times.

However, he is 6’6”, 280-pounds and pass rushers of that mold will not fall very far because of their potential.

If he has a impact performance against Missouri in the Independence Bowl, look for him to skyrocket back into the top ten of many mocks.