The one 2017 draft prospect NFL fans can't miss in all 40 bowl games

Bowl season has arrived, giving college football fans one last look at their teams and offering NFL fans an early glimpse of the players who will dominate headlines in the months leading up to the NFL draft. Below, we run down one draft-eligible player NFL fans should take note of in all 40 bowl games leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 9. Before the outrage rolls in, note that each game's selection is not necessarily the best prospect on either team, just the one with the most at stake in what could be his final college game. Prospect breakdowns written by Eric Single, Chris Burke and Bette Marston.

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Dec 16, 2016

The one 2017 draft prospect NFL fans can't miss in all 40 bowl games

Peach Bowl (Dec. 31): Alabama DL Jonathan Allen

A remarkably versatile, agile defensive lineman who should be near the top of every team’s draft board, Allen recently took home the Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defender. He will be among the first line of defense for Alabama against a multi-dimensional Washington offense that featured a 1,300-yard back (Myles Gaskin) and another who averaged 7.8 yards per carry (Lavon Coleman).

Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31): Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

A third-place finisher in the 2015 Heisman race and runner-up this year, Watson has answered the call time and again in big games. He’s a threat to run (two rushing TDs in the ACC title game) but is even more dangerous when he can push the ball downfield. Ohio State’s secondary includes up to three 2017 NFL draft picks, so Watson will have his work cut out for him.

New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 17): New Mexico RB Teriyon Gipson

Gipson leads the nation with a comical 9.2 yards per carry as the smallest (5' 8", 182 pounds) and quickest member of the three-headed running back committee that powers New Mexico's option offense. The Lobos run early and often, averaging 360.9 yards per game on the ground—a full 50 yards more than the next closest program in the FBS.

Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 17): Houston LB Steven Taylor

Led by 2019 first-rounder Ed Oliver, the D-line got most of the headlines when Houston's defense performed well this season, but Taylor has NFL linebacker size and is a steady, efficient presence up the middle. He will be charged with keeping stat-stuffing San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey (who is also bound from the pros) from getting loose.

Camellia Bowl (Dec. 17): Toledo RB Kareem Hunt

Hunt wastes no time getting north-south, his motor never stops running and as a senior he emerged as a threat in the passing game. That all combines to make him a late-game nightmare for tired defenses. Appalachian State’s stout front seven won't scare the Rockets away from getting their feature back 25-plus touches.

Cure Bowl (Dec. 17): UCF CB Shaquill Griffin

The twin brother of UCF linebacker and AAC Player of the Year Shaquem Griffin, Shaquill earned second-team All-AAC honors and led the Knights with four interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a senior. His 6' 1", 200-pound frame will give him a chance (or two) to prove his mettle at the next level.

New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 17): Louisiana LB Otha Peters

Peters started his college career at Arkansas and ended it as a first-team All-Sun Belt selection, the pivot man for the Ragin' Cajuns' 22nd-ranked run defense. He's efficient with his 6' 2", 228-pound frame in the open field, and he'll need to be a sideline-to-sideline presence to slow down Southern Miss lead back Ito Smith, who had 15 rushing touchdowns this year.

Miami Beach Bowl (Dec. 19): Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush

His last pass in an upset win over Oklahoma State—a Hail Mary heave brought down and lateraled for a stunning game-winning touchdown—was the one college football fans will remember for years, but Rush's final stat line from that game (31 of 43, 368 yards, four touchdowns, one interception) proved he could hold his own against a Power Five defense. He can create outside the pocket better than his 6' 3", 230 pound frame might suggest. His NFL prospects come down to consistency.

Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 20): Western Kentucky WR Taywan Taylor

The marquee weapon of the Hilltoppers' pass-happy offense, Taylor projects as a productive slot man in the pros. He caught nine passes for 121 yards against Alabama this season.

Poinsettia Bowl (Dec. 21): BYU RB Jamaal Williams

Williams is a 6' 2", 215-pound battering ram—when he's healthy. He ran for 286 yards and five touchdowns against Toledo in September, and with a few weeks to fully recover from the ankle injury that hindered him in the second half of the season, he should once again be the focal point of the Cougars' offesne against Wyoming, which failed to crack the top 100 in rush defense.

Potato Bowl (Dec. 22): Colorado State G Fred Zerblis

Zerblis earned second-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus as a steady interior presence on a line that allowed just 13 sacks all year. He'll be following in the footsteps of recent Rams draft picks Ty Sambrailo (Broncos) and Weston Richburg (Giants) if he sticks inside at the next level.

Bahamas Bowl (Dec. 23): Eastern Michigan DL Pat O'Connor

With eight sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, O'Connor was the star of the Eagles' defense and one of the veterans at the helm of the program's six-game turnaround from 2015 to '16. That production might earn him a shot to compete for a roster spot as a 4–3 end somewhere.

Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 23): Louisiana Tech S Xavier Woods

A three-time first-team All-Conference USA pick, Woods has the instincts and sense of angles (if not always the athleticism) to be trusted as the last line of defense. Navy may not test Woods vertically—he finished ninth in the country this season with five picks—but the Midshipmen's triple-option offense will demand that he play smart football.

Dollar General Bowl (Dec. 23): Troy DE Rashad Dillard

The Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, Dillard helped key Troy's surprisingly stout defense, which held almost every opponent at its level in check and put a scare into Clemson in the second week of the season. Speed off the edge is his moneymaker, but he will face quality of competition questions from here on.

Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24): MTSU RB I'Tavius Mathers

After playing a bit role in Ole Miss's inconsistent running game, Mathers transferred home to Murfreesboro and proceeded to light Conference USA on fire, topping 2,000 all-purpose yards and finding the end zone 19 times this season. His open-field acumen may ultimately help him stick in the NFL as a third-down back, but before that he gets a chance to tee off on Hawaii's defense, one of the worst units in the country.

St. Petersburg Bowl (Dec. 26): Mississippi State DE Johnathan Calvin

Calvin led the Bulldogs with seven sacks this season, his first as a starter—he and fellow senior DE A.J. Jefferson should take advantage of a mismatch against Miami (Ohio)'s O-line.

Quick Lane Bowl (Dec. 26): Boston College DE Harold Landry

Landry's 15.0 sacks tied for the national lead with Florida State DE Demarcus Walker. He has a chance to sneak into the first round, and he has uncommon speed for a down lineman, often blowing by the bigger tackles usually tasked with marking him.

Independence Bowl (Dec. 26): Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham

Cunningham is one of the best run-stuffing linebackers in the country, and he came up with big play after big play as the Commodores scraped their way to bowl eligibility down the stretch. His play strength is indisputable, and he could stoke the first-round hype he's already getting by flashing the sideline-to-sideline range needed to neutralize NC State's balanced offense.

Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dec. 27): Army LB Andrew King

A captain of the team that just snapped a 14-game losing streak to Navy, King's football career will likely end after the Black Knights take on North Texas—his first tour of active duty is set to begin less than two months after he graduates in May. But in the event an NFL team takes a chance on his sturdy frame, he could find a home on special teams, if not plugging holes in a front seven.

Military Bowl (Dec. 27): Temple EDGE Haason Reddick

Reddick's explosive athleticism makes him a versatile edge player, capable of lining up as a DE or roaming the slot in coverage. Watching him work relentlessly in pursuit helps explain how he led the American Conference in tackles for loss this year.

Holiday Bowl (Dec. 27): Washington State QB Luke Falk

Falk will be the latest Mike Leach quarterback to have his video game numbers within the Air Raid offense picked apart by NFL scouts in the evaluation process, but his 6' 4" frame and steadily improving efficiency should get him drafted. He brought the Cougars from Pac-12 doormats to the doorstep of the conference title game, but a humbling performance against Washington's elite defense relegated him to a matchup with Minnesota and fellow NFL-bound QB prospect Mitch Leidner.

Cactus Bowl (Dec. 27): Baylor WR KD Cannon

It only takes one deep ball for Cannon's speed to get inside the heads of opposing secondaries—he had a reception of at least 50 yards in five of 11 games this year. Boise State's stout pass defense will try to limit him to comeback routes underneath, but that's easier said than done.

Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 28): Northwestern LB Anthony Walker

After a standout 2015 season in which he led the Big Ten in tackles for loss (20.5), Walker got off to a slow start this year due to a lingering knee injury suffered in the off-season, averaging under six tackles a game in Northwestern's first four games (in which Northwestern went 1–3), but he averaged more than nine tackles over Northwestern's last eight games. The Florida native is aggressive, attacking gaps on run defense, but pass rushing isn't his forte, and his skill set remains raw overall. If he can help shut down the Pittsburgh offense in the Pinstripe Bowl, Northwestern could have a chance.

Russell Athletic Bowl (Dec. 28) Miami CB Corn Elder

Elder has the perfect competitive streak for an NFL corner, if not the perfect size (5' 10", 180 pounds). Before he heads to the Senior Bowl, he will be tasked with holding West Virginia's 35th-ranked passing game in check—if Mountaineers QB Skyler Howard even tries his side of the field.

Foster Farms Bowl (Dec. 28): Indiana G Dan Feeney

Many analysts think Feeney is the top interior O-lineman in the draft, and if no member of this year's tackle class separates himself in the coming months, Feeney could even be the first O-lineman off the board. Indiana's wide-open offense gets him out on the move often, and he gets his money's worth once he locks onto his blocking target.

Texas Bowl (Dec. 28): Texas A&M EDGE Myles Garrett

The consensus No. 1 prospect in this year’s draft class (at least for now), Garrett gets one more chance to show off his exceptional, game-changing presence off the edge. He needs 1.5 sack to reach double digits for the third straight season at Texas A&M. The downside to this matchup, from Garrett’s perspective, is that Kansas State doesn’t throw much—the Wildcats ranked 118th out of 128 FBS teams in passing.

Birmingham Bowl (Dec. 29): South Florida RB Marlon Mack

Mack found the end zone in every game he played in this year, finishing with 15 touchdowns for the resurgent Bulls. He can cut on a dime unlike many backs his size, and it remains to be seen whether Charlie Strong's assumption of the USF top job will convince Mack to return in pursuit of a fourth 1,000-yard season.

Belk Bowl (Dec. 29): Virginia Tech WR Isaiah Ford

Ford relishes the chance to use his 6' 2" frame to make contested catches on jump balls and in traffic. Arkansas both scores and allows just over 30 points per game, and Ford will be the Hokies' go-to weapon if it turns into a track meet.

Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29): Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph

Will Rudolph, a junior, try to take advantage of an uncertain QB crop by heading to the NFL early? A big game against Colorado’s outstanding secondary, led by future NFLer Chidobe Awuzie, could tip the scales. Rudolph has a strong, if at times erratic, arm and he doesn’t hesitate to give his receivers shots on contested balls.

Liberty Bowl (Dec. 30): Georgia S Quincy Mauger

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Finishing the season 7–5 isn't quite what the Bulldogs had in mind for 2016, but looking on the bright side? Their defense only loses two players to graduation, one of whom is Mauger. The senior got two interceptions in Georgia's win against Missouri—after having zero takeaways in 2015—and he racked up a season-high five tackles against Ole Miss. Mauger has strong play recognition and sticks with his receiver throughout the play, which will be crucial against the high-powered TCU offense in the Liberty Bowl.

Sun Bowl (Dec. 30): North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky

Picking up steam as arguably the most promising quarterback with 2017 draft eligibility, Trubisky has just 12 starts to his credit, all this season. He has the size (6’ 3”) and arm NFL teams covet, plus has a seemingly endless supply of confidence in his own ability—he’ll stand in the pocket and make difficult throws. A lot of work must be done to clean up his mechanics.

Music City Bowl (Dec. 30): Tennessee CB Cameron Sutton

Despite being undersized for a defensive back (5' 11", 185 pounds), Sutton is an athletic, tough player who isn't afraid to battle receivers much larger than him, like Virginia Tech's Isaiah Ford. Sutton was also a top-notch punt returner for the Volunteers before an ankle injury forced him to miss six games this season. There's no doubt that Sutton had higher expectations for 2016—much like Tennessee as a whole—but a strong performance against Nebraska in the Music City Bowl could be a springboard into the evaluation season.

Arizona Bowl (Dec. 30): Air Force DB Weston Steelhammer

A finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, a postseason award that balances defensive performance and personal character, Steelhammer leads Air Force with 75 tackles this season, and his six interceptions tied him for fifth in the country. Air Force, winners of five straight, is facing six-win South Alabama, which should be a perfect opportunity for this defensive star to shine in his final NCAA game.

Orange Bowl (Dec. 30): Florida State LT Roderick Johnson

Johnson protected Jameis Winston's blind side for the second half of the 2014 season, and he opened up running lanes for Dalvin Cook, who rushed for the sixth-most yards in the NCAA this season and may be the first running back drafted in '17. The left tackle has the size (6' 7", 311 pounds) and athleticism needed to succeed in the NFL , but his technique and finesse are lacking, particularly his footwork. Johnson has struggled at times this season, and his play will go a long way toward determining whether the Seminoles can contain Michigan's bevy of pass rushers, including 2017 prospects Chris Wormley and Taco Charlton.

TaxSlayer Bowl (Dec. 31): Georgia Tech LB P.J. Davis

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A stellar sophomore season put P.J. Davis on the map, but the linebacker hasn't quite lived up to the bar he set in 2014. Davis led the Yellow Jackets in tackles in 2014 and '15, but he fell off this season after missing two games with a hamstring injury. He's a consistent, powerful tackler with good instincts, but his injury risk, along with his size (5' 11", 231 pounds), will follow him as negatives throughout the NFL draft process. The final two games of the 2016 regular season were Davis's best, as he racked up 13 and 12 tackles against Virginia and at Georgia, respectively. He could boost his stock with a strong final act against Kentucky's late-blooming offense.

Citrus Bowl (Dec. 31): LSU S Jamal Adams

The task of stopping Heisman-winning Louisville QB Lamar Jackson will fall to Adams, who may be the draft's best pure safety. He's at his best when he's allowed to roam the open field, but he can step up against the run capably. His defensive backfield partner Tre'Davious White is NFL-bound as well.

Cotton Bowl (Jan. 2): Western Michigan WR Corey Davis

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Davis has produced 5,200 yards receiving at Western Michigan, with 628 of those (plus four TDs) coming against Big Ten foes. Even if Wisconsin manages to shut him down, Davis is headed toward a first-round selection. He can line up anywhere, runs crisp routes and accelerates in the blink of an eye when he wants to get upfield.

Outback Bowl (Jan. 2): Florida DL Caleb Brantley

Iowa wants to control the line, but to do so on Jan. 2 it will have to corral Brantley, a 314-pound power player along the interior. Brantley explodes off the snap, often beating blockers before they even have a chance to fully react. He’s such a load inside that offenses often opt to run away from him rather than deal with moving him. He dominated LSU a few weeks back.

Rose Bowl (Jan. 2): USC WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

The junior receiver has said he may stay in school if USC cornerback Adoree' Jackson opts to do the same. At least in terms of his body type and build, Smith-Schuster is ready for the next level. He’s a strong, physical receiver at 6’ 2”, 220 pounds, and he finishes plays with effort. He had 1,454 receiving yards last year; that number dropped to 781 this season.

Sugar Bowl (Jan. 2): Auburn DE Carl Lawson

When he has been healthy, Lawson has proven to be one of the country’s best pass rushers. He just hasn’t been healthy all that consistently. Still, what he offers—a quick first step and a natural edge-bending ability—is of top priority for most NFL teams. His linemate, tackle Montravius Adams, may join him in the first round come April.