College football bowl season is one of the greatest times of the year, with hundreds of NFL draft prospects playing in 40 games. NFL scouts will be watching closely -- this is where players can showcase their skills on the national stage.
I went through the bowl schedule and picked out an NFL prospect to watch for all 80 teams. There are several underclassmen who could still return to school for another year -- the deadline to declare is Jan. 20 -- and others are seniors who get one last chance to impress the scouts before the April 2020 draft. Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk, and just because they're listed here doesn't mean they should enter the draft early; this is merely an early look at intriguing prospects.
Here are the players you should keep an eye on this bowl season, in order of when each game will be played.
Jan. 2
Boston College vs. Cincinnati
The game: TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
Info: 3 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Birmingham, Alabama
John Phillips, OG, Boston College: Phillips is a redshirt senior with starting experience at both guard spots. He gets into position and walls off his assignment in the run game. He does a good job of tracking and picking up linebackers on combination blocks up to the second level. He's not an elite athlete but gets set quickly and anchors well in pass protection.
*Michael Warren II, RB, Cincinnati: Warren is a true junior who has rushed for 2,489 yards and 33 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Warren has the core strength to run through arm tackles and push the pile when he doesn't get a seam. He can be a reliable checkdown option in the passing game.
Indiana vs. Tennessee
The game: TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Info: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Jacksonville, Florida
Simon Stepaniak, OG, Indiana: Stepaniak is a redshirt senior and three-year starter. The 6-4 321-pounder plays with an edge and has the power base to move defenders off the ball, including linebackers, whom he can overwhelm. He has adequate initial quickness, anchors well and fights to stay in front of his assignment in pass protection.
Darrell Taylor, edge, Tennessee: Taylor is a redshirt junior with 19 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and 4 forced fumbles over the past two seasons. He's got above-average initial quickness, plus he does a good job of dipping his inside shoulder and cutting down the angle to the quarterback. He's got the length and strength to stack and shed blockers. He projects best at 3-4 outside linebacker. He's No. 47 overall in our early rankings for this class.
Jan. 3
Ohio vs. Nevada
The game: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Info: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Boise, Idaho
Javon Hagan, S Ohio: Hagan is a redshirt senior and three-time team captain who has recorded 262 tackles over the past three seasons and flashes above-average stopping power. Although he hasn't picked off a pass this year, he has six career interceptions, and his length is an asset when it comes to breaking up passes.
*Elijah Cooks, WR, Nevada: Cooks is a true junior with 62 catches for 729 yards and seven touchdowns this year. His hands are inconsistent and he has room to grow as a route runner, but he has an intriguing skill set. Listed at 6-4 and 215 pounds, he has the frame and body control to compete for 50-50 balls downfield and in the red zone. He flashes the ability to make the first defender miss and has the strength to pick up yards after contact after the catch.
Jan. 4
Southern Miss vs. Tulane
The game: Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Info: 11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Fort Worth, Texas
D.Q. Thomas, S, Southern Miss: Thomas' regular-season stats (68 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 3 interceptions) reflect his ability to impact the game in different ways. He's an above-average tackler who limits production after the catch. Thomas is tough but doesn't have great speed. However, he reads the quarterback and shows good instincts in the underneath zone.
Thakarius Keyes, C, Tulane: Keyes is a true senior who has the frame to match up with bigger receivers on the outside. He lunges, and his footwork needs improvement, but he has the tools to develop into an effective press corner in time. He can get off blocks and make plays in run support.
Jan. 6
Louisiana vs. Miami (Ohio)
The game: LendingTree Bowl
Info: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Mobile, Alabama
Kevin Dotson, OG, Louisiana: Dotson is a redshirt senior and four-year starter who can do a better job of keeping his hips under him at times. He's still an above-average run blocker with the strength to move defenders off the ball and the awareness and athletic ability to pick up linebackers. He gets set quickly but doesn't lunge and has lateral mobility in pass protection.
Doug Costin, DT, Miami (Ohio): Costin is a three-year starter who has recorded 156 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 12 pass deflections and 2 blocked kicks over the past three seasons. He's got the upper-body strength to get off blocks, and he's tough to move off the ball when he keeps his pads down. He's not the most explosive or athletic interior pass-rusher, but he chases the quarterback with good effort and gets his hands up in passing lanes.
BOWL GAMES THAT HAVE BEEN PLAYED
Dec. 20
Buffalo vs. Charlotte
The game: Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
Info: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Nassau, Bahamas
*Malcolm Koonce, edge, Buffalo: Listed at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Koonce is a talented edge defender with the versatility to play 3-4 outside linebacker and 4-3 defensive end. He's an active hand-fighter who has good length and chases with good effort. He's quick, athletic and closes well.
Alex Highsmith, edge, Charlotte: Highsmith is a redshirt senior and former walk-on who broke the 49ers' single-season school record for tackles for loss with 17.5 last season and then broke his own record with 21.5 tackles for loss this season. He is also tied for second in the FBS in sacks with 14. He has good initial quickness and closing speed and has quick hands and an effective inside move. He's a disruptive run-defender with good range but lacks ideal length and size for a defensive end, so he projects best at 3-4 outside linebacker.
Utah State vs. Kent State
The game: Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl
Info: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 & ESPN App/Frisco, Texas
*Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: It's concerning that Love has thrown two or more picks in five games and finished the regular season with 17 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions after throwing 32 and six in 2018. It didn't help that he was playing in a new offense. Love, who has the arm talent, frame and mobility to develop into an upper-echelon starter in the NFL, is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class. We have him ranked No. 46 overall in the 2020 class, sixth among quarterbacks.
Jamal Parker, S, Kent State: Parker is an undersized corner with average playing speed, but he's a better football player than athlete and has the potential to develop into a sub-package defensive back. He's a playmaker who has nine career interceptions. Parker has the potential to develop into a core special-teams player. He's a tough tackler who also had a 96-yard return for a touchdown in the regular-season finale.
Dec. 21
Alcorn State vs. North Carolina A&T
The game: Celebration Bowl
Info: Noon ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Atlanta
Kevin Hall, OT, Alcorn State: Hall is a redshirt senior who gets off the ball and is a better run-blocker than pass-blocker at this point. At 6-6 and 290 pounds, he gives too much ground at times. Plus, his footwork and hand placement are inconsistent. That said, he's got the frame and foot speed to develop into an effective pass-blocker at right tackle.
Elijah Bell, WR, North Carolina A&T: Six-foot-1, 225-pound Bell isn't an explosive route runner with great separation skills, and he's not going to run by many corners. However, he is a big target who can win one-on-one matchups downfield and in the red zone.
Central Michigan vs. San Diego State
The game: New Mexico Bowl
Info: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Albuquerque, New Mexico
*Tony Poljan, TE, Central Michigan: Poljan is a junior who split time at tight end and quarterback before moving to tight end full time in 2019, when he has caught 28 passes for 411 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-7 255-pounder is a big target who has potential to develop into a reliable checkdown option with the strength to break some tackles after the catch. Though he needs to improve, he has the frame to develop into an effective in-line blocker.
Luq Barcoo, CB, San Diego State: Barcoo is a junior college transfer who is making the most of his only season starting at the FBS level. He's tied for second in the FBS with eight interceptions and tied for first in the FBS with 16 pass breakups. Barcoo has the frame and speed to develop into an effective press corner in the NFL. He played on both sides of the ball at the junior college level and has excellent ball skills.
Liberty vs. Georgia Southern
The game: FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl
Info: 2:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network/Orlando, Florida
Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty: Gandy-Golden has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards each of the past three seasons. He has averaged 18.0 yards per catch this season. He's a natural hands-catcher with the frame to shield defenders underneath and win 50-50 balls downfield. Gandy-Golden is a powerful open-field runner, regularly picking up yards after the catch, but is not an explosive route runner. He's likely to be a Day 3 pick, but he has some upside.
Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern: Vildor is an instinctive corner who closes well and limits production after the catch in off coverage. He's a physical press corner with good length but allows too much separation when he doesn't win with physicality. Vildor has seven interceptions over the past two seasons, with only one of them in 2019. He is ranked No. 122 overall in our early rankings.
SMU vs. Florida Atlantic
The game: Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl
Info: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC & ESPN App/Boca Raton, Florida
James Proche, WR, SMU: Proche has caught 195 balls for 2,338 yards and 26 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He's an above-average route runner with the quickness and toughness to develop into a productive slot receiver. He also has experience returning kicks. Although he has a knack for making tough, contested catches, he is undersized with a smaller catch radius.
Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic: The winner of this year's John Mackey Award, given to college football's top tight end, Bryant finished the regular season with 65 catches, 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns. He's a slippery runner with good quickness and open-field instincts. Bryant has enough top-end speed to make plays down the seam but also can play in the slot and work over the middle. Bryant could be a top-100 pick.
Florida International vs. Arkansas State
The game: Camellia Bowl
Info: 5:30 pm ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Montgomery, Alabama
Teair Tart, DT, Florida International: Tart is a redshirt senior with good size, long arms and a low center of gravity. His first-step quickness helped him to 10.5 tackles for loss this season. He is a better run-defender than pass-rusher, where he can push the pocket but needs to improve his ability to counter.
Omar Bayless, WR, Arkansas State: Bayless had a breakout season, ranking second in the FBS in receiving yards (1,473) and touchdown catches (16). He has the frame and ball skills to develop into a reliable possession receiver -- he makes some impressive contested catches -- but isn't going to run by many corners.
Boise State vs. Washington
The game: Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl
Info: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC & ESPN App/Las Vegas
*Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State: Weaver can win with speed or power when rushing the passer. He's strong enough to hold his ground and quick enough to blow up plays in the backfield. Weaver also is versatile enough to play 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end in the NFL. He's the second-ranked defensive end on our board, and there's no question he has first-round talent.
*Jacob Eason, QB, Washington: Eason has an NFL frame, outstanding arm strength and good mobility for his size. However, the transfer from Georgia is erratic and hasn't been nearly as effective when pressured. Eason, who has first-round ability, could return to school for another year. His bowl performance could influence that decision. He's our fifth-ranked quarterback right now.
Appalachian State vs. UAB
The game: R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Info: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/New Orleans
Akeem Davis-Gaither, OLB, Appalachian State: Davis-Gaither is an instinctive, rangy and athletic outside linebacker who can match up in underneath coverage. He also has the motor to develop into a core special-teams contributor. The downside? Davis-Gaither's frame raises concerns about his ability to hold up against the run, so it's unlikely he'll develop into an every-down linebacker. Some teams might even project him as a safety.
*Jordan Smith, edge, UAB: Smith redshirted at Florida in 2016, was suspended for the 2017 season and spent 2018 at Butler Community College before transferring to UAB. At 6-7 and 250 pounds, he needs to play with better pad level but shows adequate strength at the point of attack and has the length to keep blockers off his frame. He does a nice job of dipping his inside shoulder and closes well as a speed rusher off the edge.
Dec. 23
Central Florida vs. Marshall
The game: Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
Info: 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Tampa, Florida
*Gabriel Davis, WR, Central Florida: Davis is a true junior who has caught 72 passes for 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He's a smooth-and-savvy route runner with an NFL frame. He tracks the deep ball well and has the body control to adjust to throws slightly off target. He gave Stanford corner Paulson Adebo, who is the No. 3 corner on our board and a potential first-round pick, all he could handle earlier this year
*Brenden Knox, RB, Marshall: Knox is a redshirt sophomore who has rushed for 1,284 yards and 11 touchdowns this year. Listed at 6 feet and 220 pounds, he's a bruising runner with the balance and power to regularly pick up yards after first contact. He's patient letting his blockers get into position and has the lateral mobility to bounce between gaps. With two years of eligibility left and one year of notable production, it wouldn't be a surprise if he returns to show teams he can play a bigger role in the passing game.
Dec. 24
Hawai'i vs. BYU
The game: SoFi Hawai'i Bowl
Info: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Honolulu
*Cole McDonald, QB, Hawai'i: McDonald is a redshirt junior and two-year starter who has thrown for 7,517 yards and 65 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He has a long release, and his accuracy drops significantly when he gets pressured. That said, McDonald gets the ball out of his hands quickly and delivers it accurately when he gets into a rhythm. He has an NFL frame and is athletic enough to run for first downs.
Matt Bushman, TE, BYU: Bushman is versatile enough to line up in line, in the slot and out wide. The 6-5 245-pounder is an above-average route runner and is sure-handed. He's got the size and enough top-end speed to threaten down the seam but needs to get stronger and improve his footwork as a run-blocker.
Dec. 26
Louisiana Tech vs. Miami
The game: Walk-On's Independence Bowl
Info: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Shreveport, Louisiana
L'Jarius Sneed, DT, Louisiana Tech: Sneed is an intriguing prospect thanks to his frame and versatility. At 6-1 and 193 pounds, he moved from corner to safety this season and leads the team in tackles. Sneed, who has eight career interceptions, is physical and shows the ability to press and reroute receivers when he lines up at corner.
Shaquille Quarterman, ILB, Miami: Quarterman has started every game of his college career and finished the regular season with career highs in tackles (96) and tackles for loss (15.5). He's an instinctive run-defender who masks average speed by getting an early break on the ball. Quarterman doesn't have great man-to-man cover skills but reads the quarterback and shows a good feel for route combinations. He's an outstanding leader with the mentality and skill set to develop into a core special-teams player. He's likely to be a Day 3 pick.
Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan
The game: Quick Lane Bowl
Info: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Detroit
*Patrick Jones, DE, Pittsburgh: Jones is a redshirt junior with a quick first step. He wins with his hands at times, but there's still room to improve when it comes to countering. At 6-5 and 260 pounds, he has an NFL frame and is tough at the point of attack. Jones chases the run and the quarterback with very good effort.
Kevin McGill, CB, Eastern Michigan: McGill is a true senior and team captain who reads the quarterback and plays the ball, not the man, when he's able to keep everything in front of him. He's got above-average length and has an ability to disrupt receivers in press coverage but is better in zone than man. There also are concerns about his recovery speed.
Dec. 27
North Carolina vs. Temple
The game: Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman
Info: Noon ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Annapolis, Maryland
*Chazz Surratt, ILB, North Carolina: Surratt is a redshirt junior who moved from quarterback to linebacker and tied for the most tackles in the ACC (110) this season. He's built well and is better at taking on blocks and wrapping up than you'd expect for a former quarterback. At 6-3, Surratt's height is an asset when it comes to tracking the ball, and he closes well. He might not be ready for the 2020 draft but is an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling.
Duke RB Deon Jackson's pass is intercepted at the goal line by Chazz Surratt, sealing North Carolina's 20-17 homecoming win.
*Quincy Roche, edge, Temple: Roche is a redshirt junior who has racked up 38.5 tackles for loss, 26 sacks and six forced fumbles over the past three seasons. He also has blocked three kicks. Temple awards single-digit jerseys to the toughest players on the team; Roche was awarded No. 9 midway through the season. He's lean and needs to fill out his frame but has an ability to win in a number of ways rushing the passer.
Michigan State vs. Wake Forest
The game: New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Info: 3:20 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/New York
Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State: Willekes is a redshirt senior, three-year starter and winner of the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding FBS player to begin his career as a walk-on. He has racked up 49.5 tackles for loss and 24.5 sacks over the past three seasons. He's a relentless pass-rusher who has active hands and flashes an effective inside move. He's a disruptive run-defender with the strength to set the edge working against tight ends. Willekes could be a second- or third-round pick in April.
Justin Herron, OT, Wake Forest: Herron is a sixth-year senior and four-year starter who missed most of the 2018 season with a torn ACL. He's got the length and quickness to handle speed-rushers off the edge. Herron gets into position and walls off his assignment in the run game but isn't a powerful drive-blocker and gives too much ground in pass protection at times.
Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M
The game: Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl
Info: 6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Houston
*Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State: No FBS player has rushed for more yards per game (161.3) and only Western Michigan's LeVante Bellamy (23) has rushed for more touchdowns than Hubbard (tied for second with 21) in 2019. A redshirt sophomore, he's patient letting his blockers get into position, explodes upfield as soon as he gets a crease and has the second gear to pull away from pursuit. He has the strength and contact balance to regularly pick up yards after first contact. Hubbard also has the potential to develop into a weapon in the passing game; he had seven catches for 88 yards against West Virginia.
Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard currently leads the nation in rushing, an accomplishment that has made him a celebrity and inspiration in his home country of Canada.
*Jhamon Ausbon, WR, Texas A&M: Ausbon running mate Quartney Davis is also an intriguing receiver prospect, but Ausbon's frame and production were superior this season. At 6-2 and 218 pounds, he's versatile enough to line up inside or outside and is a smooth route runner for his size. In addition, Hubbard makes some tough, contested catches and is willing to do the dirty work over the middle.
USC vs. Iowa
The game: San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
Info: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1/San Diego
*Austin Jackson, OT, USC: Jackson is a true junior and two-year starter at left tackle. He gets good initial push at the line of scrimmage and is rangy enough to get the second level in the run game, where he's better at this point. But he has the quickness and length to address inconsistent play in pass protection.
*A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa: Epenesa is a true junior who was widely viewed as a potential top-10 pick after recording 16.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 2018. He hasn't quite lived up to those lofty expectations, but he played better down the stretch and has the tools to be an effective starter in the NFL. Epenesa can overwhelm offensive tackles rushing the passer, and he has the frame to develop into an above-average run-defender. If he leaves school and enters the draft, he has a chance to be a first-round pick.
Air Force vs. Washington State
The game: Cheez-It Bowl
Info: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Phoenix
Mosese Fifita, DT, Air Force: Fifita is a two-year starter who has posted career highs in tackles (45), tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (5). He also has forced two fumbles and recovered three. At 6-1 and 330 pounds, he has the low center of gravity and strength to develop into an effective two-down nose tackle.
Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State: Gordon is a junior college transfer who started for just one year at Washington State. He leads the FBS in passing yards (5,228) and ranks second in passing touchdowns (45) and third in completion percentage (71.9). He sees the whole field, has a good arm and is accurate. In fact, he could get drafted earlier than recent Cougars quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Luke Falk, who were taken in the sixth round of their respective drafts. Gordon has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl next month, another chance to impress scouts.
Dec. 28
Oklahoma vs. LSU
The game: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Info: 4 p.m., ESPN & ESPN App/Atlanta
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma: Hurts was a much better runner than passer at Alabama and, as impressive as his passing stats are this season, there are concerns about Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley's pass-friendly scheme having inflated those numbers. He presses at times and, while his completion percentage is impressive, he still occasionally misses. Overall, Hurts is still a better runner than passer but has made strides this season. He's also a proven winner and outstanding leader with experience in multiple offenses. He comes in at No. 99 in our early rankings, but he has a chance to rise throughout the pre-draft process.
After a forced fumble by Florida's Mohamoud Diabate, Jonathan Greenard takes it the other way for an 80-yard touchdown.
*K'Lavon Chaisson, edge, LSU: After starting three games as a true freshman, Chaisson missed most of the 2018 season with an injury. At 6-4 and 250 pounds, he has the tools to develop into an elite edge rusher. He also has above-average cover skills for a player his size and is a rangy run-defender who chases with good effort and closes well.
Clemson vs. Ohio State
The game: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Info: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Glendale, Arizona
*Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson: Simmons is one of the most versatile and talented defenders in the country. He has the athletic ability and frame to match up with tight ends, the closing burst to stay with slot receivers and the get-off to rush the passer off the edge. He's a sideline-to-sideline run-defender and excels at spying quarterbacks. He's the best off-ball linebacker in this class, and he could be a top-10 pick.
*Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State: Okudah is a lockdown cover corner with above-average length, smooth hips, quick feet and very good playing speed. He occasionally lunges and his footwork is a little inconsistent, but he's athletic and quick enough to recover quickly. He played receiver in high school and has above-average ball skills. He's tough and doesn't shy away from his responsibilities as a run-defender. Like Simmons, Okudah could be a top-10 pick if he enters the 2020 draft.
Notre Dame vs. Iowa State
The game: Camping World Bowl
Info: Noon ET, ABC & ESPN App/Orlando, Florida
Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame: Six-foot-4, 229-pound Claypool is versatile enough to line up on the inside or outside. He takes long strides with good build-up speed and has the body control to adjust to back-shoulder passes. He's not an explosive route runner but has the wide frame to box out defenders underneath, make contested catches downfield and win one-on-one battles in the red zone. Claypool is just outside the top 100 in our early rankings for the 2020 class.
Julian Good-Jones, OT, Iowa State: Good-Jones is a redshirt senior who started at right tackle in 2016, center in 2017 and left tackle the past two seasons. Speed off the edge gives him some problems, and he's probably not long enough to develop into a starting NFL tackle, but he could provide some depth. Good-Jones has good upside as an interior offensive lineman who can move defenders off the ball in the run game.
Memphis at Penn State
The game: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Info: Noon ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Arlington, Texas
Patrick Taylor, RB, Memphis: Taylor rushed for 1,122 yards and 16 touchdowns while splitting carries with 2019 third-round pick Darrell Henderson last season. He appeared poised for a monster season after rushing for 128 yards and a touchdown against Ole Miss in the season opener, then missed the next eight games with a foot injury. He has an interesting skill set when he's healthy. The 6-3 223-pounder has an effective stiff-arm and above-average hands as a receiver.
*Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State: Gross-Matos is a true junior and two-year starter who racked up 34 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons. He's a dynamic interior pass-rusher who wins with initial quickness and athletic ability. Gross-Matos, who has already declared for the draft, also has the size and length to shed blockers as a run-defender. He has a chance to be a first-round pick.
Dec. 30
Western Kentucky vs. Western Michigan
The game: Servpro First Responder Bowl
Info: 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Dallas
*DeAngelo Malone, edge, Western Kentucky: Malone is true junior and two-year starter who has piled up 90 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks this year. He's a relentless pass-rusher with an above-average blend of first-step quickness, bend and closing speed. He flashes violent hands and does a good job of slipping blocks as a run-blocker, but he is light and he gives ground at times. He will likely have to move to 4-3 outside linebacker to succeed in the NFL.
Giovanni Ricci, TE, Western Michigan: Ricci is a redshirt senior who moved from receiver to tight end in spring 2018. He's a hybrid who lines up in line, at H-back, in the slot and out wide. Seven of his eight touchdowns came in the red zone this year. He's a good route runner with the frame to develop into a red zone weapon in the NFL. Ricci is still light for a tight end, and it's unlikely he'll develop into an effective in-line blocker.
Mississippi State vs. Louisville
The game: Franklin American Mortgage City Music Bowl
Info: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Nashville, Tennessee
Brian Cole II, S, Mississippi State: Cole started his college career playing receiver at Michigan and transferred to a junior college, where he moved to safety. He then transferred to Mississippi State, where he redshirted for academic reasons in 2017 and missed most of the 2018 season with an injury. He's a hybrid linebacker/safety who lines up over the slot and in the box. He's got an NFL frame with the length and enough athletic ability to develop into a starting strong safety in the NFL in time.
*Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville: Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton is planning on skipping the bowl to focus on the draft, making Fitzpatrick my pick here. The redshirt junior has just 33 catches this season, but he's averaging 18.1 yards per catch and eclipsed 100 receiving yards in three consecutive games earlier this year. He's a hand catcher who is smooth transitioning upfield after the catch and flashes the ability to make the first defender miss. He tracks the deep ball well and is fast enough to threaten vertically.
California vs. Illinois
The game: Redbox Bowl
Info: 4 p.m. ET, Fox/Glendale, Arizona
Evan Weaver, LB, California: Weaver -- a team captain and two-year starter -- leads the nation in total tackles (173) and solo tackles (95). He's an instinctual inside linebacker who gets off blocks and chases with great effort. There are concerns about whether he's a three-down player, but he has done all he can to show teams that he's capable of playing in the NFL. He'll likely be a Day 3 pick in April.
Dele Harding, MLB, Illinois: Harding, who's behind only Weaver in tackles, recorded 12, including two for a loss, and added a forced fumble and a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown against Rutgers this year. He didn't become a full-time starter until 2019, and his tape raises concerns about his ability to get off blocks. However, he's got the range and athletic ability to develop into a nickel linebacker and core special-teams player.
Florida vs. Virginia
The game: Capital One Orange Bowl
Info: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Miami Gardens, Florida
Jonathan Greenard, edge, Florida: Greenard is a graduate transfer from Louisville who missed almost all of the 2018 season with a wrist injury. He's a twitchy edge rusher with the closing burst to win with speed and the explosive change of direction to beat offensive tackles to the inside. He's a disruptive run-defender with the foot speed, length and active hands to slip blocks. He's versatile enough to play 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end. Greenard landed just outside the top 100 in our early rankings for this class.
Jayden Daniels connects with Brandon Aiyuk down the sideline for an 81-yard touchdown.
Joe Reed, WR, Virginia: Reed is a versatile weapon who lines up out wide, in the slot and in the backfield. He averaged 18.6 yards per catch in 2018, and his average of 9.0 yards per catch this year doesn't reflect his big-play ability. He's a threat in the vertical passing game and one of the most dangerous kickoff return men in the country. He has returned 104 kickoffs for 3,010 yards and five touchdowns in his career at Virginia.
Dec. 31
Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky
The game: Belk Bowl
Info: Noon ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Charlotte, North Carolina
*Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech: Farley is a redshirt sophomore and former wide receiver with four interceptions this year. At 6-2 and 207 pounds, he has excellent size and appears to have very good length for a corner. He's got the frame, speed and enough fluidity to develop into an effective zone corner at the next level. He's got good instincts, reads the quarterback and plays the ball, not the man, in zone. He closes well for his size, and he limits production after the catch.
*Lynn Bowden Jr.., WR, Kentucky: Bowden led the Wildcats in receiving each of the past two seasons, catching 62 passes for 728 yards and five touchdowns in 2018. He's much more than a receiver, though. He rushed for 1,235 yards and 11 touchdowns and threw for 330 yards and two scores this season. He also had two punt return touchdowns in 2018. The true junior's hands are inconsistent, and he puts the ball on the ground too much, but there's no questioning his ability to make plays. He has already declared for the 2020 draft.
Florida State vs. Arizona State
The game: Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Info: 2 p.m. ET, CBS/El Paso, Texas
*Tamorrion Terry, WR, Florida State: Terry is a redshirt sophomore who eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards this season and has averaged 20.6 yards per catch over the past two campaigns. Listed at 6-4 and 203 pounds, he's got the frame to go with a second gear. Yet, it's his ability to make defenders miss and pull away after the catch that stands out.
Zack Moss takes the handoff and ricochets off defenders 10 yards to reach pay dirt and extend Utah's lead to 35-0 over Cal.
Khaylan Kearse-Thomas, OLB, Arizona State: Receiver Brandon Aiyuk and running back Eno Benjamin are expected to skip the bowl to focus on the draft, and both are worth keeping an eye on as the draft process progresses. Thomas is a one-year starter and undersized outside linebacker who doesn't project as an every-down defender at the NFL level. He leads the team with 11 tackles for loss and flashes the ability to slip blocks quickly. He has the potential to develop into a core special teams player and reliable reserve linebacker.
Navy vs. Kansas State
The game: AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Info: 3:45 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Memphis, Tennessee
Malcolm Perry, QB, Navy: Perry is a team captain and three-year starter who has lined up at quarterback and running back in addition to returning kickoffs. He projects best as a rotational running back who competes for a kickoff-returner role in the NFL. He's undersized but has good instincts. His acceleration is impressive, and he has the explosive change of direction to shake defenders in tight spaces.
*Wyatt Hubert, DE, Kansas State: Hubert is a redshirt sophomore who has recorded 21 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons. He doesn't have elite bend, and he stalls out at times. But Hubert is quick, with active hands, and does a nice job of setting up his inside move rushing the passer. He's an active run-defender who chases with good effort.
Wyoming vs. Georgia State
The game: Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Info: 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network/Tucson, Arizona
Logan Wilson, ILB, Wyoming: Wilson is a three-time team captain who has started every game over the past four seasons. He has racked up 414 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries in his career. He picked off his fourth pass -- the 10th of his career -- in Wyoming's win over Colorado State. He's a natural pass-catcher who played receiver in high school. He's a gap-sound run-defender who chases with good effort and an above-average tackler.
Tra Barnett, RB, Georgia State: Barnett is a true senior who exploded for 1,389 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns this year. He ran for 95 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' upset win over Tennessee in the season opener. He's undersized but runs with great effort and tends to fall forward.
Utah vs. Texas
The game: Valero Alamo Bowl
Info: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/San Antonio
Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Moss is the first player in Utah history with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and it would have been interesting to see whether he would have declared for the 2019 draft had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury. Moss has quick feet, good burst and above-average top-end speed for a back with his size. He runs hard and has excellent balance. He has 64 career catches and the skill set to be a three-down back in the NFL. In a deep running back class, Moss could rise into the Day 2 discussion if he tests well at the combine.
Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas: No FBS player has caught more passes (103) than Duvernay in 2019. He's a productive slot receiver with the toughness and ball skills to make plays over the middle but also has deep speed. He's outstanding after the catch as he excels at picking up yards after first contact and he has the burst to pull away when he gets a seam. He also the deep speed to take the top off the coverage.
Jan. 1
Michigan vs. Alabama
The game: Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Info: 1 p.m. ET, ABC & ESPN App/Orlando, Florida
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan: Peoples-Jones, Michigan's third-leading receiver, has caught just 33 passes. But it's clear that he has the talent to make plays in the NFL. He's a smooth route runner and natural hands-catcher. He's smooth transitioning upfield and is a tough open-field runner after the catch. He has also returned two punts for touchdowns and averaged 8.5 yards per return over the course of his career. We have Peoples-Jones in the top 50 in our early rankings for this class.
Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama: Davis is a true senior and two-year starter who can line up on the inside in a base four-man front or at defensive end in a base three three-man front. He's a powerful run-defender with the length and upper-body strength to stack blockers, locate the ball and shed in time to make the play. He's not as effective rushing the passer, but pushes the pocket and has enough quickness to get better. Davis, who has a massive 6-7 frame, is No. 20 overall in our early rankings.
Minnesota vs. Auburn
The game: Outback Bowl
Info: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/Tampa, Florida
*Antoine Winfield Jr, S, Minnesota: Winfield, a fourth-year sophomore who missed most of the 2017 and 2018 seasons with injuries, is a downhill run-stopper. He's had an outstanding campaign, leading the team in tackles (83) and interceptions (7). He doesn't look like a natural hands-catcher, but he tracks the ball well and does a good job of looking it in.
Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn: Davidson is a true senior and four-year starter with 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles this year. He doesn't have the burst or length of an elite edge rusher but does a good job of working off contact when rushing the passer, and he's deceptively athletic for a player his size. He's likely a Day 3 pick in April.
Oregon vs. Wisconsin
The game: Rose Bowl presented by Northwestern Mutual
Info: 5 p.m. ET, ABC & ESPN App/Pasadena, California
*Johnny Johnson III, WR, Oregon: Johnson is a true junior who caught 55 passes for 818 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. He's an above-average route runner with the change of direction and burst to separate from his man. His ability to get off the line and his top-end speed make him a threat downfield. Johnson is rugged for his size, and he fights for yards after contact.
Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin: Baun is a redshirt senior and two-year starter with 19.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 1 interception return for a touchdown and 2 forced fumbles this year. He lacks ideal length and size for his role at Wisconsin, which is as a 3-4 outside linebacker and stand-up defensive end. He projects better as a 4-3 outside linebacker, where he could thrive. He's smooth and rangy dropping into coverage. He has the upper-body strength to set the edge working against tight ends and closes well in pursuit. Baun could be a second-round pick in April.
Georgia vs. Baylor
The game: Allstate Sugar Bowl
Info: 8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN & ESPN App/New Orleans
*Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia: Fromm, a three-year starter and outstanding leader, is smart and accurate with a quick release. On the other hand, his size, arm strength and mobility are all average. Statistically, he struggled down the stretch and had one of the worst games of his career against LSU in the SEC championship game. He might be without receiver Lawrence Cager, who is doubtful with an ankle injury, and Baylor has one of the better pass rushes in the country. Fromm is a junior who could return to Georgia for another season.
*James Lynch, DE, Baylor: Lynch is a true junior and two-year starter who has racked up 18.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks this year. The 6-4 295-pounder lines up on the inside, where he has the quickness to knife into the backfield, and outside, where he has the size to set the edge. He's also an above-average pass-rusher. He is a top-50 prospect in the 2020 class if he decides to leave school early.