Bowls are here. This time of year is wonderful. Spending time with family, football on television almost every day. This is also our last opportunity to see college players on the field before the long offseason begins. Even better, these bowls give you an opportunity to watch small school prospects you may not be able to mid-season due to their games not being televised. These previews will give you an idea of which devy players and rookie prospects are playing during bowl season.
Oklahoma State vs Colorado
Thursday, December 29th 9:00 PM
This game will focus an NFL caliber matchup between Oklahoma State’s wide receiver James Washington and Colorado’s cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. This matchup has shifted from a must watch for 2017 rookie drafts to a must watch for 2018 devy drafts as Washington and quarterback Mason Rudolph surprisingly announced that they were returning to school for their senior seasons. Many people had Washington locked up as a mid 1st round rookie pick in 2017 but will now add to the strength of the 2018 class. Washington has posted 62 receptions for 1209 yards and 9 touchdowns this year.
Michigan vs Florida State
Friday, December 30th 8:00 PM
This game will highlight several talents from each draft class. Dalvin Cook has been a revelation this year and burst to the top of the 2017 running back class with an impressive 2016 campaign. I will be watching to see if anyone in the receiving game for Florida State can flash against the tough Michigan secondary. Junior Travis Rudolph leads the team in all major receiving categories. Fellow receiver Auden Tate has started to flash near the end of his sophomore year. Tate has prototypical size for an NFL receiver at 6-5 225lbs and is shooting up devy draft boards.
On the Michigan side, senior receivers Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh have been difficult to grade week to week. Jehu Chesson has the speed and traits to be the better NFL prospect, but Darboh has been more consistent. Darboh looks to be the high floor option with Chesson as the low floor, high ceiling prospect. Looking forward past the 2017 draft, true freshman running back Chris Evans has been electric. The four-star recruit has been the second back on the field for the Wolverines in a four man committee. With seniors De’Veon Smith and Ty Isaac leaving the program, the depth chart will be wide open for Evans claim. I expect fellow freshman Kareem Walker to be involved and would not be surprised if Michigan brings in another top running back recruit to compete in 2017.
