College football bowl season provides the best of both worlds — intriguing matchups and interconference play we would almost never see otherwise. NFL evaluators love bowl season because we get to see top prospects against new levels of competition, and some players thrive in such games while others fall flat.
With that in mind, here are the top 2022 NFL Draft prospects (and beyond) who will be playing this bowl season — one for each team.
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FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Wyoming Cowboys
Tuesday, Dec. 21 | 3:30 PM EST | ESPN
QB Dustin Crum, Kent State
Crum could sneak his way into the back end of the 2022 NFL Draft as an athletic project, but his wonky throwing motion likely won’t sit well with NFL evaluators. He earned a 90.7 overall grade this season largely on the back of his dynamic rushing ability. A good bowl game showing could go a long way after some duds against Texas A&M and Northern Illinois this season. He already accepted a Shrine Bowl invite, so he can also up his stock there.
Dustin Crum with the impressive touchdown run for @KentStFootball! 😤 pic.twitter.com/C2kNmx9yXb
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) November 28, 2020
LB Chad Muma, Wyoming
Muma looks to be a top-100 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, yet he will still be on the field for the Cowboys on Tuesday. He can really scoot for a 245-pounder and utterly dominated the Mountain West this season. His 59 defensive stops were the fourth most of any linebacker in the country. He’ll be at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, as well.
Wyoming LB Chad Muma (6’3 245) leads CFB in tackling… and only 1 missed tackle in 2021
He also has 2 INTs returned for TDs and a blocked FG this season. Over 400 special teams snaps in career. Big, tough, athletic & can run! @seniorbowl 👀 pic.twitter.com/Iw0ZFHzwto
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) September 22, 2021
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE FRISCO BOWL
UTSA Roadrunners vs. San Diego State Aztecs
Tuesday, Dec. 21 | 7:30 PM EST | ESPN
CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA
Woolen is an enormous 6-foot-4, 205-pound corner who just so happened to check in at No. 6 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List in the preseason. He boasts 4.3 speed at that size, but the numbers don’t quite reflect his physical tools. He earned just a 65.5 coverage grade this season after allowing 25 catches on 42 targets for 349 yards. Woolen will also get a chance to prove himself at the Senior Bowl.
https://twitter.com/_Tariqwoolen/status/1445170641284517893?s=20
EDGE Cameron Thomas, San Diego State
The Aztecs defense dominated up until the Mountain West Championship game, largely because of Thomas. He led the nation with 77 pressures this season and also made 31 run stops. He’s a physical 6-foot-5, 270-pounder who has some positional versatility.
#SDSU DL Cameron Thomas creates pressure so easily and consistently from all over the defensive line. Beautiful swim move to win, split guard and center and forces a throw away.
Has to be a leader in pressures this season. Always chasing down the QB every game. pic.twitter.com/EN8Aa442w4
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) November 26, 2021
LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL
Missouri Tigers vs. Army Black Knights
Wednesday, Dec. 22 | 8:00 PM EST | ESPN
C Michael Maietti, Missouri
With COVID-19 providing return-to-school flexibility, Maietti came back to Missouri for his fifth year as a starting center, and it’s paying off for his draft stock. He bumped up his grade from 76.3 last season to 90.0 this year. While Maietti will have an uphill battle at the next level with his limited size and length (6-foot-1, 290 pounds), he makes up for it with his play on the move.
Michael Maietti has some quickness/reach ability 👀
Casual 3,651 snaps played in his college career… Nbd pic.twitter.com/q1329GEWof
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) December 1, 2021
EDGE Andre Carter II, Army
I feel confident in saying Carter will be the highest-drafted service academy player in some time. He's only a junior, so that will likely be in 2023, but another leap in performance could make him a Day 2 selection. He’s a long 6-foot-7, 265-pound edge defender who finished second in the country with a 93.3 pass-rushing grade this season.
Andre Carter set the new Army single-season sack record in style Saturday.
▪️ 3 Sacks
▪️ 4 Tackles for Loss
▪️ 2 Forced Fumbles#GoArmy | #LastoftheHard pic.twitter.com/nu2SJdKdVh— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) November 23, 2021
FRISCO FOOTBALL CLASSIC
North Texas Mean Green vs. Miami (OH) RedHawks
Thursday, Dec. 23 | 3:30 PM EST | ESPN
EDGE Gabriel Murphy & Grayson Murphy, North Texas
North Texas is the only team that gets two players to highlight, and you can probably tell why. The Murphy twins are redshirt sophomores who bookend the Mean Green defensive line. They both earned pass-rushing grades over 90.0 in their first year as starters this past season. While both lack ideal length at only 6-foot-2, they are twitchy rushers off the edge.
S Sterling Weatherford, Miami (OH)
Weatherford is a poor man’s Kyle Hamilton at a hulking 6-foot-4, 221 pounds. Unlike Hamilton, though, Weatherford is likely to move to linebacker in the NFL. He’s a physical player, but he earned only a 57.8 coverage grade this season. The senior should be making a Shrine Bowl appearance after this game.
UNION HOME MORTGAGE GASPARILLA BOWL
UCF Knights vs. Florida Gators
Thursday, Dec. 23 | 7:00 PM EST | ESPN
OT Marcus Tatum, UCF
Tatum’s play this year has been a revelation for the Golden Knights. After spending four years at Tennessee, he has spent the past two at UCF. He never earned a pass-blocking grade higher than 51.5 prior to this season, but his mark currently sits at 80.7 on the year. He can really move for a small school tackle, but it’s concerning it took until Year 6 for him to breakout.
CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
Elam should be a first-rounder when it’s all said and done. He’s a long 6-foot-2, 196-pound corner who’s seen playing time ever since his true freshman year in 2019. For his career, he’s allowed a lowly 46.8% completion percentage and a 57.1 passer rating.
PICKED OFF@GatorsFB's Kaiir Elam 🚫 pic.twitter.com/VnhY2kIwVj
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 31, 2019
EASYPOST HAWAII BOWL
Memphis Tigers vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Friday, Dec. 24 | 8:00 PM EST | ESPN
IOL Dylan Parham, Memphis
Parham is one of my favorite small-school offensive line prospects because of his natural athleticism. The senior can play on the move with ease. He allowed only 19 pressures on 1,047 pass-blocking snaps between right tackle and right guard across the past two years.
That’s pretty good movement Dylan Parham’s getting there. pic.twitter.com/YkZr9hfv2m
— Jacob Keppen (@Jacobkeppen) November 16, 2021
WR Calvin Turner Jr., Hawaii
Turner has a chance to stick as a gadget player and a return man at the next level. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound wideout broke 25 tackles on 74 receptions this season. He’s also dropped 19 balls on 126 catchable targets in his career.
CALVIN TURNER 92-YARD 🏠 📞 https://t.co/VW5rOEnEl1
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 24, 2020
TAXACT CAMELLIA BOWL
Georgia State Panthers vs. Ball State Cardinals
Saturday, Dec. 25 | 2:30 PM EST | ESPN
IOL Shamarious Gilmore, Georgia State
Gilmore is not only a novel five-year starter, but also a five-time all-conference lineman. He’s still not much more than a tryout type of player as an undersized guard who earned a 75.4 overall grade this season.
EDGE Anthony Ekpe, Ball State
Ekpe has been one of the most productive sub-package rushers in the country in his five-year career between Rice and Ball State. He’s earned pass-rushing grades over 90.0 the past two seasons. He’s still very undersized at only 6-foot-1, 235 pounds and may have to transition to off-ball linebacker.
QUICK LANE BOWL
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
Monday, Dec. 27 | 11:00 AM EST | ESPN
WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
Moore is the top Group of Five receiver on the PFF draft board. The true junior hauled in 90 catches for 1,255 yards and 10 scores and broke an FBS-leading 26 tackles along the way. He’s a lightning rod with and without the ball.
SKYY MOORE WITH HIS 4TH TOUCHDOWN OF THE GAME
Western Michigan -7.5 🔥
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 24, 2021
WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada
Doubs is a long 6-foot-2 receiver who can separate at a high level. He’s gone for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons for the Wolf Pack. Doubs was tremendous at the catch point this season, hauling in nine contested catches in 15 such opportunities.
#Nevada WR Romeo Doubs is starting to put it all together and round out his game. Still works extremely well on a vertical plane but the nuance of the position is becoming second nature.
Subtle double move, stacks his defender, “dunks” on his man, high pointing at catch point. pic.twitter.com/rGRGF4vqFG
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 30, 2021
MILITARY BOWL (Pres. by Peraton)
Boston College Eagles vs. East Carolina Pirates
Monday, Dec. 27 | 2:30 PM EST | ESPN
IOL Zion Johnson, Boston College
Johnson is likely to end up the top true guard prospect in the 2022 class. After he transferred from Davidson in 2019, his overall grade has improved every single year, culminating in an 84.4 mark in 2021. He allowed only six pressures on 364 pass-blocking snaps.
You don't want to find yourself in the path of Zion Johnson
(LT here, will most likely play iOL in NFL) pic.twitter.com/n7uEdAzFhX
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) December 13, 2021
CB Ja’Quan McMillian, ECU
What the 5-foot-9, 177-pound McMillian lacks in physical tools, he makes up for in instincts. As a junior, he picked off five passes and broke up eight others. He’s been starting since his freshman season and has racked up 12 career picks.
TICKETSMARTER BIRMINGHAM BOWL
Houston Cougars vs. Auburn Tigers
Tuesday, Dec. 28 | 12:00 PM EST | ESPN
DI Logan Hall, Houston
Cornerback Marcus Jones belongs here as well, but Hall has more prototypical tools for his position. He’s a 6-foot-6 260-pound defensive lineman with inside-out versatility. He earned overall grades of 85.6 and 83.4 the past two seasons.
Good morning to Logan Hall. Lines up at 3T and takes the left guard for a ride before swallowing the QB. pic.twitter.com/s86gHEuttV
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) December 11, 2021
LB Owen Pappoe, Auburn
Pappoe is one of the most athletic linebackers in the country and ran in the 4.4s coming out of high school as a prospect. He missed most of 2021 with a leg injury and earned only a 48.2 overall grade on 212 snaps when healthy, meaning he’s likely back for his senior season.
SERVPRO FIRST RESPONDER BOWL
Air Force Falcons vs. Louisville Cardinals
Tuesday, Dec. 28 | 3:15 PM EST | ESPN
EDGE Jordan Jackson, Air Force
At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, Jackson has a classic 3-4 defensive end body type. He also has a few years of production under his belt. This season, he finished with an 82.5 pass-rushing grade and 47 pressures. There’s a chance he slips to late Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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QB Malik Cunningham, Louisville
Only a redshirt junior, Cunningham is unlikely to declare. Still, he’s a dynamic weapon at the quarterback position who is improving as a passer. He ran for over 1,000 yards and found the end zone 19 times with his legs this season for the Cardinals.
AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Tuesday, Dec. 28 | 6:45 PM EST | ESPN
CB Martin Emerson, Mississippi State
Emerson is a long corner with tremendous feel for zone coverage. He’s been playing since his true freshman year in 2019, earning coverage grades of 82.9 and 78.8 the past two seasons.
Prospects I'm exciting to watch this week:
Martin Emerson | CB | MSST
+ Good physical profile
+ Great play strength at LoS & downfield
+ Good at mid-pointing multiple routes
+ Footwork is patience and conciseWant to see
– Improved tackling tech
– Carrying horizontal in M2M pic.twitter.com/v2rscLY2Yh— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) November 6, 2021
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech
Taylor-Demerson is only a junior, so he's unlikely to declare, but he is a player to keep in mind for the future. He’s a true free safety who is not particularly physical at only 5-foot-11, 195 pounds. Taylor-Demerson flashes high-end range, though, and he picked off three passes and broke up five more this season.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL
UCLA Bruins vs. N.C. State Wolfpack
Tuesday, Dec. 28 | 8:00 PM EST | FOX
RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Charbonnet has gone from a relatively unknown Michigan transfer to a likely top-five running back in the 2022 NFL Draft class. He earned an elite 91.9 rushing grade this season after tallying 1,153 yards on 204 carries.
OT Ikem Ekwonu, N.C. State
Ekwonu is firmly in the mix to be one of the top tackles selected in April’s draft. He is the single most physical run-blocker in the class, boasting the most big-time blocks of any tackle the past two seasons.
Ickey Ekwonu is a PROBLEM
PFF’s highest-graded Tackle in college football 💪pic.twitter.com/qt1glGgTU3
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 18, 2021
GUARANTEED RATE BOWL
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Tuesday, Dec. 28 | 10:15 PM EST | ESPN
CB Charles Woods, West Virginia
Woods featured in only a handful of games this season after transferring from Illinois State, but he was extremely impressive nonetheless. He allowed only five catches on 11 targets for 86 yards with a pick and three pass breakups on 159 coverage snaps.
OT Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
Standing 6-foot-9 and somewhere in the neighborhood of 380 pounds, Faalele is a mammoth. He still doesn’t quite play up to the physicality that his size would suggest, but he started playing football less than five years ago after coming to the U.S. from Australia. He improved considerably this year to a 79.7 overall grade and has elite developmental tools.
WASABI FENWAY BOWL
SMU Mustangs vs. Virginia Cavaliers
Wednesday, Dec. 29 | 11:00 AM EST | ESPN
QB Tanner Mordecai, SMU
Most of Mordecai's weapons have already opted out, but he should have one last chance to showcase. After transferring from Oklahoma, Mordecai earned an 87.8 grade in his first year as a starter. He may still come back to school in 2022 to try and improve upon his 14 turnover-worthy plays this year.
LB Noah Taylor, Virginia
Taylor is an edge/off-ball hybrid who will be coveted in certain schemes. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, he has a unique frame for the position. He’s also one of the best tacklers at linebacker, with only 17 misses on 171 attempts in his career.
NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL
Maryland Terrapins vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
Wednesday, Dec. 29 | 2:15 PM EST | ESPN
S Nick Cross, Maryland
Cross is a former track star who shows that range often on the backend. Unlike a lot of track stars, though, Cross has legit size at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds. He’s been starting since his true freshman year but still may return after an inconsistent 2021.
C Brock Hoffman, Virginia Tech
Almost all of the Hokies' NFL prospects have already opted out of the bowl game, meaning Hoffman takes this spot. He’s started for four years between Coastal Carolina and Virginia Tech and improved in pass protection every year. There's a chance he slips to Day 3.
CHEEZ-IT BOWL
Clemson Tigers vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Wednesday, Dec. 29 | 5:45 PM EST | ESPN
CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
Booth has first-round physical tools and finished the season on a first-round kind of tear. Over his last two games, he notched three picks and two pass-breakups while allowing only two catches on nine targets for 69 yards.
One-handed, falling back … WOW.
Interception of the year candidate from Clemson's Andrew Booth Jr. 😱 pic.twitter.com/VsftCLvYnd
— ESPN (@espn) October 4, 2020
EDGE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
McDonald had been a productive backup in the past but didn’t shine in a full-time role until this season. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder earned an 84.4 pass-rushing grade and racked up 41 pressures this season.
VALERO ALAMO BOWL
Oregon Ducks vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Wednesday, Dec. 29 | 9:15 PM EST | ESPN
CB Mykael Wright, Oregon
Wright is an immensely talented outside cornerback, but his junior season didn’t quite go the way he wanted it to. He ended up allowing 426 yards on 38 catches and 61 targets into his coverage. He is a likely candidate to return to Oregon.
IOL Marquis Hayes, Oklahoma
Hayes is a three-year starter who saw his grade improve every single season. He’s an immensely physical 6-foot-5, 324-pounder and should end up as one of the top true guard prospects in the class.
DUKE’S MAYO BOWL
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Thursday, Dec. 30 | 11:30 AM EST | ESPN
QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
Howell had a disappointing junior campaign after losing his top two receiving targets from a year ago. His passing grade dropped from 91.5 to 76.4. Once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, Howell may very well return in 2022 to fulfill those hopes.
EDGE Jordan Strachan, South Carolina
After transferring from Georgia State, where he earned a 90.2 pass-rushing grade in 2020, Strachan couldn’t quite do enough to crack the Gamecocks' starting lineup this season. With Kingsley Enagbare opting out of the bowl, though, Strachan will get a chance to make his mark.
TRANSPERFECT MUSIC CITY BOWL
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Thursday, Dec. 30 | 3:00 PM EST | ESPN
CB Alontae Taylor, Tennessee
Taylor may not have many high-end traits the NFL will get excited about, but he’s a four-year starter who played damn good football this fall. His 81.1 coverage grade ranked fifth in the SEC this season. Expect him to come off the board on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
QB Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
Purdue’s top two prospects in edge defender George Karlaftis and receiver David Bell have already opted out, meaning it’s slim pickings. The fifth-year Boilermaker quarterback quietly finished the season on a tear and did enough to get a look from the NFL.
CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL
Michigan State Spartans vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
Thursday, Dec. 30 | 7:00 PM EST | ESPN
EDGE Jacub Panasiuk, Michigan State
Panasiuk doesn't possess the tools for a team to draft him early, but his production makes him a likely Day 3 pick. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end finished the season with 66 pressures and 20 run stops.
DI Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Kancey is very undersized for a defensive tackle at 6-foot and 275 pounds. That being said, he wins a lot. He earned an 80.1 run-defense grade and an 84.3 pass-rushing grade this past season. It’s unlikely he declares as only a redshirt sophomore, but he is a player to watch going forward.
SRS DISTRIBUTION LAS VEGAS BOWL
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Thursday, Dec. 30 | 10:30 PM EST | ESPN
LB Leo Chenal, Wisconsin
At 6-foot-2 and 261 pounds, Chenal is a unique backer. He is an absolute force playing downhill, and it shows in his grades. Chenal earned a 93.6 run-defense grade and a 92.2 pass-rushing grade in 2021.
OT Kellen Diesch, Arizona State
Diesch was a fairly big riser on the PFF draft board after his performance this season. He couldn’t secure a starting job in three years at Texas A&M, so he transferred to Arizona State in 2020. After a coronavirus-shortened season, Diesch came out and allowed only seven pressures on 377 pass-blocking snaps in 2021. It was impressive enough to earn him a Shrine Bowl invite.
TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Friday, Dec. 31 | 11:00 AM EST | ESPN
WR Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest
Roberson broke out as a junior in 2020 with 926 yards and followed that up with 1,078 this season. He’s a shifty slot receiver but still needs to put on muscle mass at only 6-foot-1 and 182 pounds.
Jaquarii Roberson (Wake Forest WR) put up a monster statline today as Wake Forest put up a whopping 70 points.
Definitely going to be on NFL radars! pic.twitter.com/RE7ZHTdcaE
— Good, Bettor, Bets (@GoodBettorPod) October 23, 2021
EDGE Micheal Clemons, Texas A&M
A ton of Aggies have already opted out of the bowl game, leaving Clemons as the player to watch. After getting injured last season, Clemons had a breakout 2021 campaign as a senior. He racked up 46 pressures after tallying only 39 his first three seasons combined.
TONY THE TIGER SUN BOWL
Washington State Cougars vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Friday, Dec. 31 | 2:00 PM EST | CBS
OT Abraham Lucas, Washington State
Lucas is one of the most tested tackles in the country in pass protection, with 2,195 such snaps for his career. He peaked with a 91.0 pass-blocking grade this past season and possesses the physical tools to stay at tackle in the NFL. He could easily be a Day 2 pick.
WR Charleston Rambo, Miami (FL)
Not many players had seasons to remember for the Hurricanes in 2021, but Rambo was one of them. He went for 1,165 yards on 79 catches his senior season. After toiling in relative anonymity at Oklahoma, Rambo gave himself a draftable grade with his play this year.
BARSTOOL SPORTS ARIZONA BOWL
Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Boise State Broncos
Friday, Dec. 31 | 2:00 PM EST | BarstoolSports.com
OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
Raimann was a tight end two years ago, and now he’s a possible first-rounder as a tackle. He went from a 75.1 overall grade in his first year at tackle to a 94.6 overall grade this season. At 6-foot-7 and 305 pounds with his movement skills, he’ll be coveted early.
Bernhard Raimann punishing a jumper… Those are the rules! @BrandonThornNFL pic.twitter.com/GdwTUpeARX
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) October 28, 2021
WR Khalil Shakir, Boise State
Shakir has some of the best body control in the draft class. His highlight reel is right up there with anyone else's in America this season. He hauled in 77 balls for 1,117 yards and put himself in the late Day 2 conversation.
So this is basically a Khalil Shakir stan account now 🌀#CFBpic.twitter.com/ne5AgRta0E
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 11, 2021
CFP Semifinal: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 4 Cincinnati vs. No. 1 Alabama
Friday, Dec. 31 | 3:30 PM EST | ESPN
CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
This will be a great test for the 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior. He’s yet to allow a touchdown in his career and surrendered all of 117 yards into his coverage this entire season. If he locks down these Alabama receivers, expect his name called in the first round.
Cincinnati has found a gem in freshman CB Ahmad Gardner
The #Bearcats CB was one of the most frequently-targeted DBs this year, ranking 15th (of 200) in snaps/target.
How did he respond?
87.6 @PFF grade (6th)
90.0 coverage grade (7th)
0 TDs & 39.4 passer rating allowed (4th)🔒 pic.twitter.com/JKXGhf878d— Evan McPhillips (@emcphil) January 7, 2020
WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
Last year at this time, Williams could barely see the field for Ohio State. Now, he might be the first receiver off the board next April. He’s already hauled in 67 catches for 1,434 yards at 21.4 yards per reception. He is the best deep threat in the 2022 NFL Draft.
BRYCE YOUNG
JAMESON WILLIAMS
W O Wpic.twitter.com/HdnkAG2ikm
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 4, 2021
CFP Semifinal: Capital One Orange Bowl
No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 2 Michigan
Friday, Dec. 31 | 7:30 PM EST | ESPN
LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Dean is a microcosm of the Georgia defense with the sheer speed at which he plays the game. He may be only 6-foot and 225 pounds, but he packs a wallop. He finished his junior season with a 91.8 overall grade and has a good chance to be a first-rounder in April.
The pick-six and what he does on defense will get a lot of the love, but it’s not just that about Nakobe Dean. Look at who the first player is down the field on the punt team making the tackle.
Number 17. pic.twitter.com/D8obwAZD56
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 30, 2021
EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
There’s not much more that needs to be said here. Hutchinson is the No. 1 player on PFF’s draft board and owns the highest grade of any defender in the country (94.7).
Aidan Hutchinson. Certified BAMF 😤 pic.twitter.com/6qd7QXQrAt
— WeAreBigGuys (@WeAreBigGuys) December 10, 2021
OUTBACK BOWL
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Saturday, Jan. 1 | 12:00 PM EST | ESPN2
S Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
Brisker is one of the most complete safeties in the country, with there being very few weaknesses to his game. He allowed only 12 catches on 21 targets for 105 yards with two picks and four pass breakups this season.
https://twitter.com/MichaelKistNFL/status/1434240396020879362?s=20
EDGE Tre Williams, Arkansas
Receiver Treylon Burks opted out, meaning Williams will be the top prospect on the field for the Razorbacks in this contest. It’s been a slow build for the 6-foot-5, 255-pound fifth-year senior. He’s seen his pass-rushing grade increase every year to 81.3 in 2021 after transferring from Missouri to Arkansas.
This stab from @RazorbackFB DE Tre Williams😳 pic.twitter.com/dTOiaTZcMa
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) September 13, 2021
VRBO CITRUS BOWL
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Saturday, Jan. 1 | 1:00 PM EST | ABC
IOL Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Linderbaum is the top center prospect in the class and the top such prospect in the PFF College era. He was the highest-graded center in the country last year and took his grade even higher to 95.2 overall this season.
#Iowa stud center Tyler Linderbaum (#65) not being very nice to the ISU linebacker.
He’s got that nasty, competitive edge you want. pic.twitter.com/McJcq9NDXI
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 13, 2021
OT Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Kinnard is another top offensive lineman on the PFF draft board. He is a pure people-mover who’s earned run-blocking grades over 89.0 in each of his three seasons as a starter. Though starting at tackle for the Wildcats, he’s likely to play inside in the NFL.
Kentucky RT Darian Kinnard just cleaning house… pic.twitter.com/K6OmFNfTwN
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) November 16, 2020
PLAYSTATION FIESTA BOWL
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Saturday, Jan. 1 | 1:00 PM EST | ESPN
EDGE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
No Kyle Hamilton or Kyren Williams for the Irish in this contest leaves Foskey as the top player on the PFF draft board. He’s a powerful 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge defender who can be a pocket-collapser at the next level. After a breakout junior campaign that saw him rack up 10 sacks and earn a 79.8 overall grade, Foskey will have a decision to make as a likely Day 2 pick.
Isaiah Foskey. One arm to beat the left tackle, the other to sack Kedon Slovis. This is impressive stuff. pic.twitter.com/BGlUh3VRHB
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) October 26, 2021
LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State
Rodriguez is likely to catch on as at least a special teamer in the NFL. The fifth-year senior racked up 61 stops for the Cowboys defense this season to lead the Power Five. But at only 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds with limited athleticism, he’s a longshot to go anywhere other than late in the draft.
ROSE BOWL GAME (Pres. by Capital One Venture X)
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Utah Utes
Saturday, Jan. 1 | 5:00 PM EST | ESPN
WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Wilson is PFF’s WR1 in the 2022 class, and that isn't changing. He’s a pure separator who can sky to make catches well outside his frame. The junior may not have prototypical size at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, but he just gets open.
Most TDs versus man coverage this season among Big Ten WRs
🥇 Garrett Wilson/Chris Olave: 5 pic.twitter.com/BbzCe1tGAM
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 16, 2021
LB Devin Lloyd, Utah
Lloyd is firmly in the running to be the first linebacker off the board and looks like a first-round lock. He was a man possessed for the Utes this season en route to a 91.1 overall grade. In coverage, he racked up four picks and three pass breakups.
When you face a LB like Utah’s Devin Lloyd, you bette execute your blocks or your RB will pay the price.
You can feel Lloyd’s tackles on tape. Explosive dude. pic.twitter.com/UoqjCvo2Lz
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 22, 2021
ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Baylor Bears
Saturday, Jan. 1 | 8:45 PM EST | ESPN
QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Corral is the current QB1 on PFF’s draft board. He expanded his effectiveness as a runner this season after losing all his weapons from 2020. He finished with 713 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground and looks like a first-rounder.
Ole Miss QB Matt Corral wins the Nissan Fan Vote for the Heisman! #HottyToddy 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/7Q9vLvpD35
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) December 12, 2021
S Jalen Pitre, Baylor
While he’s a “safety,” Pitre was solely a slot corner for Baylor’s defense this fall. He was also far and away the team's best defender. He led all defensive backs in defensive stops (47). Look for him to come off the board on Day 2.
Starting my 2nd final eval of the year with Jalen Pitre (Baylor SAF #8)
Love this play from him here. Comes across the formation, reads the play-action and gets outside to take down the receiver quickly. Excellent processing speed from him on this play. pic.twitter.com/Vrett2hCkQ
— Ben Glassmire (@BenGlassmireNFL) December 9, 2021
TAXACT TEXAS BOWL
LSU Tigers vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Tuesday, Jan. 4 | 9:00 PM EST | ESPN
LB Damone Clark, LSU
LSU has seen a prospect exodus, leaving Clark as likely the team's top prospect still playing in the bowl. He’s a physical presence at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds and saw a distinct jump in performance this season. He went from a 51.4 grade in 2020 to a 68.6 mark this season.
Huge Stop @clark_damone 😤 pic.twitter.com/uuXG9TDOLY
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) November 14, 2021
OT Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
The redshirt sophomore is in the midst of a breakout campaign that put him firmly on NFL radars. He’s unlikely to declare just yet, but he could follow in the footsteps of Cody Whitehair and Dalton Risner to develop into a top guard prospect in the coming years — thanks in large part to his nimble feet and pass-blocking prowess.
Cooper Beebe showing athleticism from the LT position pic.twitter.com/P5d9CaGtVg
— 🏈KSU_90 (@90_ksu) September 27, 2021