The Las Vegas Bowl features a pair of prospects who are a bit under the radar: BYU TE Dennis Pitta and Oregon State QB Sean Canfield.
Pitta does not have outstanding speed or measurables, but he has great instincts and just knows how to get open. He adjusts routes well to exploit weaknesses in coverage and has the reliable hands and body control to make tough catches outside his frame.
Pitta is also a tough player who can make catches over the middle and shows some open-field running skills, but he appears to lack the burst to stretch the middle of the field in the NFL. And although he is a willing blocker who gets in good initial position, Pitta will have trouble anchoring against powerful NFL defensive ends.
Overall, though, Pitta's receiving skills and college production make him a second-round prospect.
Canfield, meanwhile, is one of the fastest-rising quarterbacks on the board. He has good size and is a very accurate passer, and his poise and leadership also have been impressive.
We'll be interested to see how Canfield responds when BYU is able to limit the dynamic running duo of James Rodgers and Jacquizz Rodgers. Will he go through his progressions and make plays if the Beavers are reduced to running a one-dimensional offense?
There are concerns about an injury to Canfield's throwing shoulder that he suffered in 2008, but because of his accuracy, production and intangibles, we still give him a fourth-round grade.
And although BYU QB Max Hall has been very productive throughout his career and is accurate on short-to-intermediate routes, he simply lacks the size and arm strength to be anything more than a fringe prospect.
• The news that USC RB Joe McKnight and TE Anthony McCoy are in hot water off the field is beginning to raise red flags where their draft stock is concerned. College kids make mistakes, and a onetime issue is something NFL teams can and do overlook. But both McKnight and McCoy have been disciplined previously, and teams will begin to wonder whether a pattern is developing.
McKnight's use of an SUV owned by an area businessman is being investigated by the school, and he has been left behind as the team prepares for the Emerald Bowl. He also missed a week of spring practice in 2008 because of academic issues, and if the SUV results in suspension or eligibility issues, teams will wonder why McKnight risked his eligibility and hurting his team.
McCoy is already suspended for the bowl game because of academics and was held out of a spring practice earlier this year for missing a workout. He has not been very productive outside of the Notre Dame game and has missed time with an injury. His production tailed off as the season progressed, so NFL talent evaluators are no doubt wondering about his work ethic.
Both McKnight and McCoy have second-round grades right now, but the questions about whether they can handle their business in the NFL could hurt them. Teams will want very good explanations for these issues, and it doesn't help that Trojans coach Pete Carroll wondered aloud why these problems surfaced despite the extensive support system surrounding them.
McCoy is a senior and is headed to the NFL no matter what, but we were hearing that McKnight was leaning toward returning to school for his senior season. It will be interesting to see how the investigation plays out and whether potential eligibility issues next season persuade him to head to the NFL.
Around the nation
• Texas QB Colt McCoy (Scouts Inc.-rated No. 49) said losing out on the Heisman Trophy this year didn't match the disappointment of missing out on playing for the national title last year. "Last year was tough," McCoy told the Birmingham News. "It was tough for our team. We had more disappointment last year.
"This year, we're exactly where we want to be. I think we will channel a little of that toward this game. We're excited about this game, the opportunity that we have to play for a national championship."
• Tennessee DT Dan Williams (No. 67) has returned to practice after missing time with a concussion, and having Williams and a few other rested defenders back has boosted the confidence of the Vols' coaching staff.
"We've had a lot of good practice time, quality time," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin told the Knoxville News Sentinel. "I think I feel good about some of our players again; they're just getting a lot of reps. Even [coach] Lane [Kiffin] said one day after practice, 'Gosh, it seems like the defense is really feeling it better.'"
• Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews (No. 45) announced Monday that he has hired an agent and will enter the NFL draft. "I feel very comfortable that if he decides to leave early, he'll have the confidence to move on and succeed at the next level," Bulldogs coach Pat Hill told the Fresno Bee. "I'm excited for him. His year was outstanding. To average 150 yards a game is really amazing. I'm not going to coax him into staying. I'm not going to talk him into anything.
"I think he's got a good chance to move on, and if he has that opportunity in front of him, he should take it. That window of opportunity to make a lot of money is very small. I have no problem with him leaving early."
• Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops met with the media and talked about two of Scouts Inc.'s top 100 players who will have a big impact in the Sun Bowl: Stanford RB Toby Gerhart (No. 88) and Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy (No. 2). Defending Gerhart will be tough, reports SoonerSports.com: "He has great patience and vision to wait for those seams, and then he has the power and quickness when he does see it to gain yards and break tackles. They do an excellent job. He, in particular, also does a great job running the ball with his size and strength, protecting his legs and gaining yards when they aren't there.
As for McCoy entering the NFL draft, Stoops said the Sooners would miss him on and off the field: "The guy is just a great athlete, but more than that he is an amazing person. We are excited for him, and I'm excited because he's graduating. He has already walked across the stage and that's pretty special to do in three and a half years, so we are excited for him. He has left a great legacy here."