College football bowl season is under way. If you are like most NFL fans, you know some players on the top college football teams but that is about it. As a Bears fan, my NFL season has been over for weeks so I’ve gotten an early start on my scouting for next year’s NFL draft.
I love watching football even if it’s games I have no rooting interest in, so over the holidays I end watching a lot of random bowl games. One thing that makes the bowl games more interesting for me is to keep an eye on players who will be drafted next season. This year I will breaking down the players who have a shot at getting drafted for most of the remaining bowl games. If you end up watching the Hyundai Sun Bowl, here are some players to keep an eye on.
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Hyundai Sun Bowl: Arizona St vs Duke
When: Dec 27th, 2 PM (EST)
Arizona St
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
WR Jaelen Strong, JR #21 (6’4, 212, 4.55)
Scouting report – Big physical receiver who uses his size very well. Strong isn’t a burner but is quick enough to get open, tracks the ball very well, and has shown excellent hands with a number of highlight reel catches this year. He is a legit red zone weapon and excels at back shoulder fade routes. Strong will need to clean up his routes at the next level, but all the tools are there to be an impact NFL player.
NFL comparison – Kelvin Benjamin
Projection: 1st round
FS Damarious Randall, SR #3 (5’11, 187, 4.58)
Scouting report – The most productive player in the Sun Devils secondary who led the team with 101 tackles and also had 3 interceptions and two forced fumbles. Randall was always around the ball this season showing good football instincts and above average range in coverage. Randall will need a good bowl game and Senior Bowl performance to hear his name called on day 2, but is at least a lock for day 3. Randall should be a solid dime safety and special teams player with the potential for more.
Projection: 4th-5th round
QB Taylor Kelly SR #10 (6’2, 208, 4.71)
Scouting report – Dual threat QB who had a productive career for the Sun Devils with 48 TDs and 17 INTs over the last two seasons. Kelly’s senior year was sidetracked with a foot injury that kept him out 3 games and affected his play when he came back. His junior year tape is better. Kelly showed a strong accurate arm and the speed to damage defenses on the ground. He has a tendency to hold the ball to long in the pocket and takes too many sacks. Overall he provides a change of pace QB who will probably be a day 3 pick and end up on an NFL practice squad next year.
Projection: 7th round – UFA