The second half of Saturday’s college football bowl schedule is packed with 2020 NFL Draft prospects. The Camellia Bowl, featuring Florida International and Arkansas State starts the evening slate at 5:30 pm ET. The Las Vegas Bowl between Boise State and Washington kicks off at 7:30 pm ET. The final game of the day will start at 9 pm ET when Appalacian State and UAB face off in the New Orleans Bowl.
Camellia Bowl: Florida International vs. Arkansas State
Florida International Panthers
The Florida International Panthers come into this game with a few players that we might end up seeing play football on Sundays. The main attractions are linebacker Sage Lewis and quarterback James Morgan.
Lewis is a quick and physical linebacker who possesses excellent movement skills. He may not be a three-down player at the next level, but he has the tools to make an NFL roster. James Morgan recently received an invite to the Shrine game. Morgan has NFL size and outstanding arm strength, which will make him an attractive late-round option.
-Neal Driscoll, PFN NFL Draft analyst
Arkansas State Red Wolves
The Arkansas State Red Wolves have a few players that scouts will have their eye on. Wide receiver Omar Bayless (6’3, 207) finished second the NCAA in receiving as a senior, with 84 receptions for 1,473 and 16 touchdowns. Evaluators will need to determine whether his breakout season was an anomaly or a sign of things to come. Bayless also doesn’t possess great long speed, which could also hurt his draft stock — especially in a draft that has plenty of wide receiver depth. Kirk Merritt is the more explosive of the Red Wolves’ dynamic duo and offers special teams ability as a returner. He is still a bit of a raw prospect, however, which is why I currently have him pegged as a priority free agent.
Darreon Jackson is a versatile defensive back that always finds himself around the football. He lacks the ideal ball production to warrant a selection on draft weekend, however, and should eventually make the permanent move to safety in training camp.
-Andrew DiCecco, PFN NFL Draft analyst
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Camellia Bowl Prospects (via Neal and Andrew) |
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| Rnd | Full Name | Pos | # | School |
| 6th | Sage Lewis | LB | 3 | FIU |
| 7th | James Morgan | QB | 12 | FIU |
| FA | Obinna Nwankwo | OL | 67 | FIU |
| FA | Maurice Alexander | WR | 1 | FIU |
| FA | Omar Bayless | WR | 7 | Arkansas State |
| FA | Kirk Merritt | WR | 13 | Arkansas State |
| FA | Darreon Jackson | DB | 34 | Arkansas State |
Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington
Boise State Broncos
Boise State is led by a few second day options on both sides of the football. On offense, wide receiver John Hightower is a speedy deep-threat on the outside. Hightower is a threat to score on every play, and Boise State does a good job of getting him unique plays to score, whether it’s via pass or a designed run. A good showing against a talented Huskies secondary can help boost Hightower’s draft stock immensely. Left tackle Ezra Cleveland is a great athlete with plenty of size and length and moves well in space. His ability to climb and pull in run blocking is top-notch, but his fundamentals in pass protection leave a lot to be desired. Going up against a team that has 29 sacks on the season will be a good test for Cleveland’s pro potential.
On the defensive side of the ball, EDGE rusher Curtis Weaver is the Broncos’ best pro prospect and likely the best prospect in the Mountain West. Weaver isn’t an elite athlete in terms of flexibility or explosiveness, but he plays with great fundamentals and length. Boise State lines him up in different roles in various fronts, giving him additional versatility. Weaver is a traditional 3-4 OLB, and I would expect to hear his name go in the top-50 selections.
-AJ Schulte, PFN NFL Draft analyst
Washington Huskies
Washington tight end Hunter Bryant will be sitting out of the bowl game, but he is one of the best, if not the best, tight ends in this entire draft class. Quarterback Jacob Eason is a developmental quarterback, possessing a strong arm and frame but little else. He likely returns to school for next year, but a good showing in a bowl game could change his mind (and that of scouts). Center Nick Harris is a Senior Bowl player and is a top center prospect. He’s a great athlete at his position and plays with great fundamentals. He is a better fit for zone-blocking teams due to his lack of elite play strength and length, which could cause his stock to vary among NFL teams.
Defensive back Myles Bryant plays like former Washington Husky Budda Baker. He’s phenomenal when coming downfield and attacking the ball. His man-coverage skills are top-notch with great athletic ability and fundamentals. Bryant will do his best to slow down the speedy John Hightower mentioned above. His size will force him into a nickel role at the next level, but his traits are top-notch.
-AJ Schulte, PFN NFL Draft analyst
| Las Vegas Bowl Prospects (via AJ Schulte) | ||||
| Rnd | Full Name | Pos | # | School |
| 2nd | Curtis Weaver | EDGE | 99 | Boise State |
| 2nd | Nick Harris | OC | 56 | Washington |
| 2nd | Hunter Bryant | TE | 1 | Washington |
| 3rd | Myles Bryant | DB | 5 | Washington |
| 4th | Jacob Eason | QB | 10 | Washington |
| 5th | John Hightower | WR | 16 | Boise State |
| 5th | Ezra Cleveland | OT | 76 | Boise State |
New Orleans Bowl: Appalachian State vs. UAB
Appalachian State Mountaineers
The Appalachian State Mountaineers have had one heck of a season and enter this matchup with a few players that are on NFL teams’ radar. The main event is linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaithers, who is one of the best small school prospects in the 2020 NFL draft. He is long and athletic, consistently making plays on the football.
Another prospect worth watching is running back Darrynton Evans. According to Tony Pauline, the junior intends to enter the 2020 NFL Draft. He is a powerful and stout runner, excelling between the tackles.
-Neal Driscoll, PFN NFL Draft analyst
UAB Blazers
The UAB Blazers have a couple of players that should garner attention from NFL scouts. The fullback position has taken on a rebirth of sorts in the NFL, which sets up nicely for Blazers’ fullback Spencer Brown. Brown (6’0, 230lbs) led the team in rushing with 527 yards and five touchdowns in 2019. He figures to test well at UAB’s pro day and should land with an NFL team in the hours that follow after the draft reasonably quickly.
Garrett Marino enjoyed a breakout senior season, amassing six sacks along with 41 tackles. At 6’2, 290 pounds, he lacks the desired length that teams look for in defensive linemen, and his athleticism and burst aren’t special enough to get picked. He’ll have a chance to boost his draft stock and test his skills against a higher level of competition at the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl in January.
-Andrew DiCecco, PFN NFL Draft analyst
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New Orleans Bowl Prospects (via Andrew and Neal) |
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| Rnd | Full Name | Pos | # | School |
| 4th | Akeem Davis-Gaither | LB | 24 | Appalachian State |
| 5th | Darrynton Evans | RB | 3 | Appalachian State |
| 7th | Victor Johnson | OT | 75 | Appalachian State |
| FA | Spencer Brown | FB | 4 | UAB |
| FA | Garrett Marino | DL | 1 | UAB |