College Football - 2021 Bowl Games

Prospects to watch - Saturday, 12/18

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl - 11AM ET (10AM for you Vikes Fans in the Central Time Zone)
- Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky - 1 year playing at the FBS level and he's on the verge of breaking FBS single-season records in yards & TD's; one of the QB prospects I'm really interested in; plays in Air Raid offense but has great downfield accuracy; will be at Senior Bowl
- DeAngelo Malone, DE/OLB, Western Kentucky - #66 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; more of a OLB in a 3-4 and not a 4-3 DE; great 2019 but has cooled off a bit in '20 & '21

Cricket Celebration Bowl - Noon ET
- James Houston, DE/OLB, Jackson St - transfer from Florida; undersized at only 6'1", but could play LB in NFL; very disruptive in only season as starter in FBS
- Decobie Durant, CB, South Carolina St - MEAC Player of the Year; definition of "ball hawk" w/ 12 INT's in his career; undersized and best served at nickel in NFL

PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl - 2:15PM ET
- Jacob Cowing, WR, UTEP - undersized shifty playmaker that will be a gimmick player in NFL; only a JR but may declare early; late Day 3/UDFA target
- Jalen Cropper, WR, Fresno St - a "do-it-all" skill position player for the Bulldogs (WR & RB skills); a Patriot-style player (they like "do-it-all" types)

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl - 3:30PM ET
- Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU - basically James Conner 2.0; not tremendous burst but great "all-around" RB - including pass protection; valuable depth RB to have
- James Empey, IOL, BYU - All-America as FR and has been BYU's OC for past 3 seasons; could have declared for '21 draft and was graded as mid-Rd prospect; might interest Vikings as developmental OC prospect
- Gerrit Prince, TE, UAB - a "move" TE that leads FBS yards per reception and YAC; will be at the East/West Shrine Bowl and probably needs to add bulk to handle NFL defenders

LendingTree Bowl - 5:45PM ET
- Malik Willis, QB, Liberty - #30 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; this year's Trey Lance, but more like Steve McNair in his physicality; didn't have a great 2021 (IMO) and needs to have a great bowl game and pre-Draft process to vault his stock; will need a ton a developmental work in NFL and will require patience for any teams drafting him

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl presented by Stifel - 7:30PM ET
- Deven Thompkins, WR, Utah St - another shifty undersized WR (5'8", 155) but a reliable WR/playmaker; honestly, probably too undersized for NFL
- Avery Roberts, LB, Oregon St - a tackle machine for the Beavers defense; late Day 3/UDFA target to play ST early

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl - 9:15PM ET
- Steven Gilmore, CB, Marshall - the younger brother of former 1st Rd pick Stephon Gilmore (Bill, Pats, Panthers); 6'2" physical defender but he only weights 170 lbs and probably needs to add some muscle to hang with NFL WR's; still though, with his bloodlines he could be an intriguing Day 3 option if the pre-Draft process goes well
- Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana - has played since FR season and is a very solid RT prospect in the mold of R Hunt (Dolphins); could easily be a Day 2 player because he's athletic and ca play in both wide-zone and power/gap; Vikes are set at OT w/ O'Neill/Darrisaw/Udoh set for the next few seasons but if Mitchell is around early on Day 3 I might pull the trigger

Here's a YouTube video of all of his plays in the bowl game vs Eastern Michigan (it's just under 7 min so it's a relatively quick watch):



I think you saw the pros and cons of Willis in this game. 

Big Arm: you see Willis complete multiple deep shots off his back foot and the ball has no problem getting there at all. You also see fastballs on out-routes to the opposite hash which is something that's no easy to do. But with that, he's throwing some of those deep shots off his back foot and he's throwing fastballs on some simple throws that probably require more touch. I saw this at other teams throughout the season - he seems to only know one speed when throwing passes and we all know that tipped passes through a receiver's hands often leads to INT's in the NFL. He has the arm, but needs coaching on when to use and when to use "touch". 

Physical ability: he's 6'1" or 6'2" and 225 lbs and he's more muscular/bulk than other mobile QB's like Lamar Jackson. He's not quite as fast/quick but he did show off his wheels on one QB run where he escapes the pocket and runs all the way to the end zone (4:40 mark of video) - you do have to keep in mind Eastern Michigan isn't really that good and they fell behind in this one and Liberty piled it on. The problem is that on some of his runs he tries to make too much of something that isn't there instead of taking an easy 5-7 yds - he tries to run sideways and turn it into something more and he's not as quick/fast as Lamar so he gets caught and that will obviously continue in the NFL. He needs to learn when to run, when not too and when to get down. 

Football IQ: it's obvious when you see his tape here that Willis plays really well off-script when the play breaks down (the play at 2:08 is nuts: RPO mesh to RB and he drops back, rolls to his left-granted he's right-handed, and just before he's hit he actually sets his feet, rips one and drops it right in the bucket down the field to his WR - it's a shame the WR was penalized for stepping out of bounds) so NFL teams will get excited about that ability. But those type of plays are the norm for Willis from what I've seen and relying on off-script plays in the NFL will get you into bigtime trouble. Most of the reads you see in this game are simple RPO-mesh reads where he has the option to hand-off to RB or take it back and do something and most of his completions are to wide-open WR's (and I mean wide open). He does throw some deep shots to covered WR's but you see no pre-snap reads, not too much from going through progressions and no manipulating DB's. He does seem to have a decent pocket awareness (he senses pressure well) but instead of buying time to find someone he plays "hero ball" a bit too much . 

Overall: you see the big arm and athleticism and you think he has all the tools to be a great NFL QB, but he's going to require a bunch of development/refinement before you rely on him as the team's starting QB to lead offenses down the field on a consistent basis. And because of that, I wouldn't take Willis in the 1st Rd - I'd take him on Day 2 as a project to sit and learn for a season or two and the Vikes already have a Day 2 project QB in Kellen Mond. 

Lastly, I've been making a comparison to Steve McNair all season based on the game he had @ Syracuse earlier in the season (primetime Friday night game) where he looked like McNair - big arm and a physical runner/hard to bring down. But when I watch this game, I get vibes of Tavaris Jackson and Donovan McNabb - especially with the throwing motion. I think it's more T-Jack because of the developmental work T-Jack needed and Willis will need. 

Prospects to watch - Tuesday, 12/22

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl - 8PM ET
- Andre Carter, DE/OLB, Army - at 6'7", 250lbs, Carter is a disruptor and leads the nation in sacks per game at 1.32 (which is higher than Hutchison or 'Bama's Will Anderson). He's only a JR so may not declare and prospects from the Armed Forces schools are always difficult because they often times have deployment time immediately after playing college ball so you may not get his services for 2+ yrs, but he's definitely someone to keep an eye on.
- Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri - took over the RB workload from Larry Roundtree III who's in the NFL (Chargers); more of a complimentary RB that has pass-catching abilities (53 rec in 2021) - has a bit of a Jerick McKinnon-vibe and would be best served as the change-of-pace RB in a stable
- Allie Green IV / Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri - I believe Evans opted-out of playing in this game to focus on the Draft but both CB's have good length/strength to possibly compete for depth boundary CB's in the NFL. I think Evans is the more polished of the two, but Green will get all the starting snaps/attention so it'll be interesting to see how he might do. The problem is he'll probably go untested since Army doesn't pass a great deal.
- Michael Maietti, IOL, Missouri - 5-yrs of experience and a solid run-blocker; could be a decent Day 3 developmental IOL option

Prospects to watch - 12/24

EasyPost Hawaii Bowl
- Dylan Parham, IOL, Memphis - currently playing RG but has played OT and OC; former TE and DE who's still learning but many scouts seem to really like his development; slightly undersized but he's athletic (no wonder scout like him); could be a Day 3 developmental target for Vikes

*UPDATE* - Hawaii Bowl was cancelled. Per ESPN (link):

The EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl was canceled after Hawai'i announced Thursday that it was pulling out of the game, citing COVID-19 issues within the program in addition to injuries and transfers.

There are 5 bowl games today, 12/28 - the most since last Saturday, 12/18.

*UPDATE* - the Holiday Bowl between NC State & UCLA was cancelled just hours before it kicked-off. Per ESPN (link): "UCLA was forced to pull out of the Holiday Bowl only hours before Tuesday's scheduled game against NC State in San Diego because of COVID-19 problems within the Bruins program. The school announced its decision around 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. NC State coach Dave Doeren said nobody at NC State knew UCLA was dealing with more COVID-19 issues once the Bruins arrived in town to begin preparations for the game. "Felt lied to, to be honest," Doeren said. "We felt like UCLA probably knew something was going on, didn't tell anybody on our side. We had no clue they were up against that. I don't feel like it was very well handled from their university. It would have been great to have had a heads up so two or three days ago we could have found a Plan B. Disappointing."

I'm disappointed, too - there were several 2022 Draft prospects I wanted to watch in that game, including two OL prospects (one from each team). 

Prospects to watch - 12/28

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl - Noon ET
- First off, it's always disappointing when prospects opt out of bowl games because you want to see them another time vs a solid opponent. You had some real nice prospects in this matchup, too (Houston vs Auburn): for Houston it was CB/KR Marcus Jones and DE/DL Logan Hall and for Auburn it was CB Roger McCreary and LB Zakoby McClain. Watch for these prospects in the upcoming All Star games (Senior Bowl, etc) and pre-draft process.
- Smoke Monday, S, Auburn - nice length at 6'3" and 200 lbs; he's been in the defensive secondary for Auburn it seems like forever and he doesn't have elite NFL speed so he's probably more of a box SS/LB hybrid type and zone coverage guy. The S class is a good one this year so let's see if he stands out in this bowl game to make a name for himself.
- Derick Hall, DE, Auburn - 6'3", 251 lbs; the entire Auburn defense really played awesome against Alabama in the Iron Bowl but Hall is a guy who stood out with 3 TFL, 3.5 Sacks and he basically lived in the 'Bama backfield the entire game. He hasn't declare, but if he has another performance like that in this bowl game, he probably should declare. He is described to have explosive speed so let's see if the tape in this game bears it out.

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl - 3:15PM ET
- Kenderick Duncan, Jr, S, Louisville - 6'3, 220 lbs; transfer from Georgia Southern had a solid season for the Cardinals and is more of a box SS/LB hybrid than true centerfielder type. Probably late Day 3 / UDFA target.
- Jordan Jackson, DT, Air Force - 6'5" 280 lbs; not sure if he's a DE, NT or 3T or even 5T in a 3-4. I've read he's one of the best DL in the Mountain West Conference, and with Louisville's M Cunningham playing in this one, I'm anxious to see how he does against him.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl - 6:45PM ET
- Like the Birmingham Bowl above, this one will have several 2022 prospects not playing (much to my disappointment): Miss St OT Charles Cross, Miss St CB Marcus Emerson and Texas Tech WR Erik Ezukanma have all opted out.
- Jalen Green, CB, Miss St - he's the CB opposite Emerson; not heralded as much and figures to be a late Day 3/UDFA; has had a solid career in the SEC and let's see if he shines when he's on the big stage by himself without Dantzler/Emerson playing opposite him. He'll be CB1 in this game for the Bulldogs.
- Dawson Deaton, C, Texas Tech - 6'5, 300 lbs; a bit too tall/lean to be a OC in the NFL, IMO, but let's see how his tape looks in this game. The Vikes need to do their homework on all OC prospects.

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl - 8PM ET (*UPDATE* - game cancelled just hours before game kicked-off)
- Ikem Ekwonu, OT/IOL, NC State - #58 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; draft experts all over the 'Net love this guy for his "dominant"/"nasty" run-blocking and his improved pass blocking, so much so that you often see him mocked in Round 1 and sometimes in the Top 15. I believe he's playing in this one and I want to see it. He plays LT for the Wolfpack now, but I've read he could be an All-Pro OG at the NFL level. This is definitely someone the Vikes will want to keep an eye on as he reportedly has great athleticism, too. Could we use a "nasty", All-Pro caliber OG prospect? Uh, yeah...
- Emeka Emezie, WR, NC State - another NC State big-bodied WR at 6'2, 212 lbs; like those before him, his specialty is winning 1-on-1 jump balls and boxing out defenders in the red zone; I want to see more route-running though as that's what separates NFL WR's from the rest. Figures to be a late Day 3/UDFA target.
- Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA - part of a solid UCLA OL group; was real good early in the season and sort of fell off the radar once Thibodeaux came to town; 6'4", 320 lbs and I wonder if a move inside to IOL would be better considering the trouble he had with speed edge rushers.
- Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA - Michigan transfer that had a real good season behind UCLA's strong OL; NC State has a solid defense so this will pose a test; probably more of a Day 3 pick as he doesn't have elite burst/speed, but he does a bunch of things well and will be part of a RB stable on an NFL team.
- Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA - more of a Day 3 / UDFA prospect; solid blocker/ST player - let's see if he has a breakout game
- Quentin Lake, S, UCLA - son of Steeler Carnell Lake; solid size at 6'1, 195 lbs; solid coverage skills but hasn't had a great deal of production and some are wondering if his ceiling is higher than his production shows. Would love to see some solid tape in this game.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl - 10:15PM ET
- Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota - #29 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; at 6'8" and 320 lbs he can move; he's considered more of a Day 2 prospect and I believe he's played more RT at Minnesota than LT. I saw him in the Golden Gophers opener vs Ohio st and thought he looked good. The Vikes could use some developmental OT's in the 2022 Draft so UCLA's Sean Rhyan and Minnesota's D Faalele are not out of the question on Day 2.
- John Michael Schmitz, OC, Minnesota - 6'3", 320 lbs, solid size and I've seen nothing but "solid" written about him, albeit more of a Day 3 prospect; not sure how athletic he is. Another OC candidate to keep an eye on in the pre-Draft process and in this game.
- Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota - #17 on Feldman's 2021 "Freaks List"; Minnesota's leader in TFL and Sacks this season & has the right size/length to be a 4-3 DE in the NFL, but hasn't quite put it all together yet. He hasn't had the "breakout" that Michigan DE David Ojabo had this season, but some scouts believe his best football is yet to come in the NFL. Let's see if he can have a great game here on tape. He will be at the Senior Bowl.
- Dante Stills, DL, West Virginia - another "tweener" DL prospect that I'm not sure where he fits in the NFL at 6'4" 280 lbs (the 2022 Draft seems to be loaded with these "tweener" DL types this time around); he's had a productive career at West Virginia but doesn't necessarily have NFL elite athleticism; he'll be a Day 3/UDFA pick. His brother, Darius Stills, went undrafted in 2021 and was signed as an UDFA by Vegas, got injured, was waived and hasn't been picked up.

It's really disappointing all these guys opting out. I haven't watched a single game because of it. If you don't support one of the teams involved and your can't see the draft prospects, what's the point?
Looking forward to the National Championships! The gaames should be competitive and we get to see some good prospects.

GO BEARCATS!