10. Outback Bowl | Penn State vs. Arkansas – January 1 (Noon)
Arkansas: WR Treylon Burks (22), S Jalen Catalon (150)
Penn State: WR Jahan Dotson (35), S Jaquan Brisker (46), LB Brandon Smith (55), OL Rasheed Walker (115)
The Outback Bowl should be setting up as a big time WR showdown between two guys with 1st Round potential, but Arkansas’s Treylon Burks has already declared for the draft and opted out. Jahan Dotson could be the star of the game, but we will see how he does against the stingy Arkansas secondary. Both team’s have a safety with a draftable grade, however, Penn State’s Jaquan Brisker currently sits at our S3 position with room to rise. Catalon is out with a shoulder injury, but still has a draftable grade from us. Others to watch include Penn State’s Brandon Smith and Rasheed Walker, both prospects that have tumbled down draft boards, but still have time to make up.
9. VRBO Citrus Bowl | Iowa vs. Kentucky – January 1 (1pm)
Iowa: IOL Tyler Linderbaum (13), CB Riley Moss (96)
Kentucky: OT Darian Kinnard (28), RB Chris Rodriguez (81), WR Wan’dale Robinson (99)
The Citrus Bowl is headlined by two of my favorite Offensive Lineman in the country. Tyler Linderbaum has become a human highlight reel for Iowa and has climbed all the way to 13 on our Big Board. Kentucky’s Darian Kinnard is a bit of a sleeper, but has been one of the most consistent lineman in college football over the last few years and certainly has 1st Round upside. In the skill position department, Chris Rodriguez has had a wonderful campaign and ranks atop the SEC in most rushing categories. His skillset could have him floating around that Day 2 tier.
8. Taxslayer Gator Bowl | Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M – December 31 (11am)
Texas A&M: DT DeMarvin Leal (17), IOL Kenyon Green (6), RB Isaiah Spiller (43)
Some might push for Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman to be listed here, but he’s not in our top 150, nor do we think he will even declare (2 Yrs of eligibility left). There is plenty of talent on the other side of the ball with DeMarvin Leal, Kenyon Green and Isaiah Spiller, but the question will be how many of these guys will play? Leal has already declared and will miss the bowl.
7. Duke’s Mayo Bowl | North Carolina vs. South Carolina December 30 (11:30am)
UNC: QB Sam Howell (18)
South Carolina: Edge Kingley Enagbare (32), RB Kevin Harris (101)
This may be a battle for the Carolinas, but the bigger story is Sam Howell. If he puts together a solid game against a decent SEC Defense, then he could likely cement his 1st round status. Don’t forget, he is playing in front of the very QB-needy Panthers, who would love to have a hometown hero…
6. PlayStation Fiesta Bowl | Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State January 1 (1pm)
Notre Dame: S Kyle Hamilton (5), RB Kyren Williams (65)
Oklahoma State had an incredible season come up just shy of a Big 10 Championship, but they are bringing back most of their NFL talent next year. On the other side, the Fighting Irish boast one of the most athletic specimens in the class, Kyle Hamilton. We will see if he plays, as his status is still up in the air. Kyren Williams is another name to watch, but he is rumored to be leaning towards returning to Notre Dame next year.
5. Chik-fil-A Peach Bowl | Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh December 30 (7pm)
Pittsburgh: QB Kenny Pickett (19)
Michigan State: RB Kenneth Walker III (47), DT Jacob Slade (114)
The Peach Bowl features two of the best players in college football, Kenny Pickett and Kenneth Walker III. Pickett is apparently undecided about playing in the game, but we figure that he probably will do to the uncertainty of his draft stock. We have seen in the past that quarterbacks don’t have much to lose from one bowl game, but have a lot to gain…especially in this volatile class. Could Arthur Blank be eyeing his next QB, a guy that many scouts compare to Matt Ryan?
4. Allstate Sugar Bowl | Ole Miss vs. Baylor January 1 (8:45pm)
Ole Miss: QB Matt Corral (26), Edge Sam Williams (27), WR Dontario Drummond (95), RB Jerrion Ealy (126)
Baylor: S Jalen Pitre (NR)
Matt Corral was snubbed as a Heisman Finalist, but will he be snubbed as a 1st round pick? I expect for him to play in the first NY6 Bowl that Ole Miss since 2015 and a big game could have a big impact on his draft stock. Sam Williams is one of my favorite sleepers in this class, but he certainly has room for an Azeez Ojulari type Sugar Bowl performance. Dontario Drummond was my biggest take away from watching this team live…he certainly has the makes to be a starting NFL receiver.
3. Rose Bowl | Ohio State vs. Utah January 1 (5pm)
Ohio State: Garrett Wilson (10), Chris Olave (24), Nicholas Petit-Frere (59), Zach Harrison (61), Dawand Jones (80), Sevyn Banks (98), Thayer Munford (101)
Utah: Devin Lloyd (8)
Lloyd has absolutely balled out this season and is one of my favorite defensive prospects in the country, which is why I can’t wait to see how he competes against this powerful offense. Can Wilson and Olave be the next great duo to both be selected in the 1st round?
2. Goodyear Cotton Bowl (CFP) | Cincinnati vs. Alabama December 31 (3:30pm)
Cincinnati: Ahmad Gardner (9), Desmond Ridder (31), Myjai Sanders (44), Coby Bryant (51), Josh Whyle (82)
Alabama: Evan Neal (3), Jameson Williams (33), Christian Harris (41), Phidarian Mathis (54), Jordan Battle (63), Josh Jobe (88)
This game is absolutely stacked with NFL talent. This could be Ridder’s chance to prove himself, as one of his biggest “weaknesses” is his lack of P5 tape. A big performance against the top team in the country could certainly quiet those doubts. Jameson Williams vs Ahmad Gardner will be an epic matchup and can certainly benchmark his performance to Roger McCreary’s just a few weeks ago. Williams was limited to just two receptions for 43 yards, but missed the majority of the game due to ejection.
1. Capital One Orange Bowl (CFP) | Georgia vs. Michigan December 31 (7:30pm)
Georgia: Jordan Davis (12), Nakobe Dean (20), Derion Kendrick (57), George Pickens (62), Jamaree Salyer (69), Lewis Cine (76), James Cook (79), Devonte Wyatt (86), Nolan Smith (118), Zamir White (142)
Michigan: Aidan Hutchinson (1), David Ojabo (39), Daxton Hill (40)
UGA has become an absolute NFL factory, but can they start winning when it matters? Jordan Davis will be tested against a legit OL, while Aidan Hutchinson could likely feast again and cement his status as the top overall prospect. One extremely intriguing prospect is UGA’s George Pickens, who has just recently returned from an ACL tear. Can Pickens get more involved and boost his stock back where it was this time last year?
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