19 NFL draft prospects you must watch throughout school soccer bowl season

With bowl season proper across the nook, and the drive to the NFL playoffs heating up, there will probably be an incredible quantity of soccer to look at over the subsequent few weeks.

But for followers of some NFL groups, playoff aspirations have given approach in the direction of watching how the draft order is shaking out every week, and pouring via each mock draft to see if assist can arrive subsequent season.

After all, the NFL draft is simply that: Packaged hope. The hope that subsequent 12 months will really be the 12 months, and that just some additions over the offseason, and within the draft, will make all of the completely different on the earth.

If that sounds such as you expensive reader, then you may want this. A listing of the 19 draft prospects to look at this bowl season. If you want to know when these recreation are, in addition to how watchable they’re, we’ve got you coated there as properly.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
CFP Semifinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Georgia

Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Here we go once more.

While C.J. Stroud’s great season ended with private accomplishments, similar to being named a Heisman semifinalist for the second-straight 12 months, he faces questions on his NFL future. Losses to Michigan the previous two years, coupled with the latest success — or lack thereof — of Ohio State quarterbacks on the subsequent degree has introduced doubters to the fold.

Doubters he can silence with a high quality efficiency in opposition to among the best defenses within the recreation.

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
CFP Semifinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Ohio State

One of the issues C.J. Stroud might want to navigate? The presence of Jalen Carter within the inside of the Georgia protection. Carter performs all around the defensive entrance for Kirby Smart, and combines energy with quickness, making him a tough mixture to decelerate. Carter is maybe the highest inside defensive lineman within the draft, and a reputation to look at for the highest of the draft. Right now Carter is a fixed fixture inside the highest 5 of mock drafts, however may he solidify that with a powerful efficiency throughout bowl season?

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
CFP Semifinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Ohio State

Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images

If Stroud is ready to navigate Carter contained in the pocket, his job isn’t executed. He’ll additionally must stare down one of many high cornerback prospects within the subsequent draft, Georgia CB Kelee Ringo. South Carolina’s Cam Smith has moved up draft boards along with his play this season, however Ringo started the 12 months atop many cornerback lists, because of his play final season for the Bulldogs. He is a scheme-diverse cornerback, with the flexibility to play in press-man, but in addition the abilities to play in off coverages. Plus, if he will get matched up in opposition to Marvin Harrison Jr., that will probably be must-watch tv.

Quintin Johnson, WR, TCU
CFP Semifinal on the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl vs. Michigan

The different semifinal recreation presents some draft prospects to look at as properly, however TCU WR Quintin Johnson in all probability tops the listing. He matches the mould of a real X receiver, with the mix of dimension, pace, and energy on the catch level to trigger issues for NFL defenses. Johnson additionally has the short-area quickness and route-running expertise to slot in any offensive system.

Note: As we transition out of the playoff video games, there’s a probability the next gamers determine to opt-out earlier than their bowl video games, and after publication.

Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic vs. Tulane

Last season with Pittsburgh, Jordan Addison helped Kenny Pickett change into a first-round decide. This 12 months, Addison transferred to USC and helped Caleb Williams change into a Heisman Trophy winner.

Now an NFL franchise may marvel what he can do for them subsequent 12 months.

While Addison didn’t produce on the identical degree this season as he did with Pittsburgh, catching 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns, the traits are nonetheless there. He is a fast, shifty receiver with robust palms and the flexibility to separate in any respect ranges of the sector.

Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Cheez-It Bowl vs. Oklahoma

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images

Albany switch Jared Verse put collectively an incredible season for Florida State, rocketing himself up draft boards on the EDGE place. Verse tallied 7.5 sacks for the Seminoles this 12 months, and it didn’t take lengthy for him to have an effect in Tallahassee. In his first recreation this 12 months, in opposition to LSU, Verse recorded a pair of sacks together with seven charted pressures, exhibiting the disruptive skill NFL coaches covet.

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Mississippi State

Illinois put collectively a run this season that positioned them on the cusp of a spot within the Big Ten Championship recreation. While they light down the stretch, it was one in all their finest seasons in years, and their protection performed an enormous position. Part of that protection? Cornerback Devon Witherspoon. who recorded a career-best three interceptions this 12 months. Witherspoon is a real man protection cornerback, with the flexibility to match routes, change instructions rapidly, and lock down one facet of the sector for a protection.

Felix Anduike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
Allstate Sugar Bowl vs. Alabama

If you watched the Big-12 Championship recreation, you doubtless noticed cross rusher Felix Anduike-Uzomah within the TCU backfield early and infrequently. With good cause. While Anduike-Uzomah didn’t match the 11 sacks he posted a season in the past, his 8.5 sacks this 12 months — mixed with the stress he placed on opposing passers and the traits he brings to the desk — makes him a participant to look at for the NFL draft. He is a bodily, athletic cross rusher with a motor that doesn’t cease.

Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Minnesota

Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images

This recreation includes a pair of proficient working backs, in Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim and Sean Tucker from Syracuse. Ibrahim should play in opposition to Syracuse, however has additionally accepted an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl to showcase his draft inventory.

Provided each gamers go, this recreation is price looking forward to each working backs. We will concentrate on Tucker, who exploded on the faculty soccer season final 12 months for the Orange. A 12 months in the past, Tucker racked up 1,496 yards on 246 carries, scoring 12 touchdowns. He added one other 255 yards receiving, averaging over 12 yards per reception.

Tucker seems to be the a part of a three-down again on the subsequent degree, with the imaginative and prescient and footwork to be a menace within the run recreation, however the observe background to pose issues on routes to all ranges of the sector.

John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Syracuse

For years, the main target alongside the offensive strains when it got here to the draft was on the perimeters. As NFL offenses regarded to counter the expertise that defenses would carry off the perimeter, groups regarded to search out tackles able to deal with life within the NFL.

However, there was a shift the previous few years, for a number of completely different causes. As defenses have began to concentrate on inside stress as properly, with mug seems to be and different inside stress schemes, discovering inside offensive linemen that may cross block has change into essential. Second, proficient defensive tackles have change into issues for offenses, and inside stress may be very disruptive to the passing recreation. Finally, with offenses leaning into inside run ideas lately, similar to Duo, including expertise on the within has change into extra of a necessity.

That could possibly be big for John Michael Schmitz, the Minnesota middle who has proven continuous progress throughout his time on campus. Experienced and athletic, he could possibly be a plug-and-play choice as a rookie alongside many offensive strains.

Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. N.C. State

For causes which we’ve got already outlined, we stay mad on the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Still, you shouldn’t maintain that in opposition to Jaelyn Duncan, who proper now could be a fringe first-round prospect, in line with present mock drafts. But that might change over the subsequent few months, starting with a powerful efficiency in opposition to N.C. State on this recreation. Duncan has good footwork, lateral-movement expertise, and method for the place. Combine that along with his dimension, and you’ve got a possible cornerstone sort out on the subsequent degree.

Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic vs. USC

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Tulane’s is likely one of the finest tales in school soccer. After an early season domination of Kansas State, Tulane is within the Cotton Bowl going through Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams, and Dorian Williams is a big cause why. The 6’2 225 pound senior is so good in area and his consciousness in protection goes to come in useful in opposition to a USC staff that has athletes at each place. He’s extra of a late spherical man, however may stand up boards with a stellar efficiency.

Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl vs. Pittsburgh

This upcoming RB class is enjoyable, and Charbonnet is one other enjoyable participant on this class. His contact steadiness and burst is among the many finest on this RB class, and he has the flexibility to be an element within the run recreation and the passing recreation. “Bowling ball” will get thrown round loads, however Charbonnet is actually a bowling ball, however a 28.2% damaged sort out and missed sort out charge is actually being a bowling ball. Against Pitt, Charbonnet has an opportunity the fly up draft boards even larger than he was earlier than.

Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, WR, Houston
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl vs. Louisiana

If you search for the definition of the phrase “electric” within the dictionary, you’ll discover a picture of Tank Dell working away from defenders. The 5’10, 165 pound receiver completed second within the nation in receiving yards, third in catches and first in landing catches. Despite being a smaller receiver, Dell is lightning in a bottle who could make an enormous play at any time. He’s primarily a slot receiver on the subsequent degree, however simply get him on the sector and let him work.

A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs. Missouri

Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images

Perry is an enormous, bodily outdoors goal who wins by going excessive of defenders. His dimension and pace ought to give whoever is enjoying QB for Wake Forest an choice downfield, and for followers who want outdoors pace, search for AT Perry once you’re watching soccer throughout bowl season.

O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl vs. Oregon State

ROAD. GRADER. That is who Torrence is. The switch from UL Lafayette made an impression instantly, turning into the First-team AP All American at guard. His skill to play in a telephone sales space and root out defenders is what makes him the primary guard in many individuals’s huge board. If you’re on the lookout for an offensive linemen, watch Torrence transfer individuals in opposition to their will.

Siaki Ika, NT, Baylor
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. Air Force

Ika is a MASSIVE particular person at 6’4, and 358 kilos. He is the purest definition of a run stopper, and may change the maths for groups within the run recreation. He’s not a completed product on the subject of affecting the passing recreation, however with the quantity of groups which can be on the lookout for a man to cease the run, they will discover one in Ika. Seeing him go in opposition to Air Force must be a sight to behold.

Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. LSU

Very quietly, Charlie Jones virtually received the triple crown for a receiver in school soccer. He was first in catches and yards, and third in touchdowns for a Purdue offense that leaned on him within the passing recreation. Jones simply is aware of learn how to get open, easy and plain. The Iowa switch has sufficient pace to stack defenders vertically and intensely certain palms (8 drops on 157 targets). He received’t be a Day One or perhaps Day Two decide, however he’ll make a staff extraordinarily completely satisfied.

Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Presented by Stifel vs. Washington State

Photo by Tyler Ingham/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images

College soccer Twitter’s favourite QB is enjoying in his ultimate bowl recreation, and what a journey it’s been for Haener. Haener is a fearless QB who can throw with accuracy and has the flexibility to hit passes within the intermediate space of the sector. Haener will probably be headed to the Senior Bowl, and he ought to discover a spot within the NFL as a backup, albeit a really enjoyable backup.