NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 10: Jake Bentley, Greg Bell, Ty Fryfogle, Zane Zandier, DeAngelo Malone

Indiana wide receiver Ty Fryfogle (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on. 

Jake Bentley, QB, Utah
Utah is slated to kick off its season this upcoming Saturday versus Southern Cal after COVID-created cancellations of their first two opponents. One player we’ll be keeping a curious eye on is transfer quarterback Jake Bentley, who was recently elected a Utes team captain. Despite the accolade, head coach Kyle Whittingham has refused to name a starter, stating that the team will announce its starting quarterback when the Utes march onto the field against the Trojans. A three-time team captain during his tenure at South Carolina, Bentley was a heralded recruit with a slingshot arm coming out of high school. He appeared in 34 games for the Gamecocks, demonstrating great smarts, instincts and leadership before succumbing to a season-ending Lisfranc injury during the first game of last season. Being anointed the starter this weekend would be a good jump-start for the one-time NFL prospect in order to help reboot his draft stock.

Greg Bell, RB, San Diego State
As the bell tolls for the undefeated Aztecs, running back Greg Bell enjoyed the best performance of his tumultuous collegiate career with 160 rushing yards against Hawaii. The senior has been a staple of consistency for San Diego State, becoming the first player in school history to surpass the 100-yard rushing barrier in each of his first four games—a remarkable feat considering that Bell went 25 months between carries coming into the season.
It’s been a winding road for the Cali native. After originally committing to San Diego State out of high school, he failed to qualify academically, re-routing him to Arizona Western for two seasons, where he rushed for more than 2,000 yards. From there, Bell would opt to transfer to Nebraska before leaving the team after two games to help deal with some family issues. Upon his return, while doing an exercise that involved a band strapped to the top of a bar, Bell was injured when the band accidentally snapped and struck him in the eye. That surgery and injury nearly cost him the vision in his right eye and prevented him from playing the 2019 season. The twisted irony is that on the field, it is his vision and patience that has led to his great success, while gaining the attention of NFL scouts. Remember the name, as he owns NFL-caliber game and will be one of the more feel-good stories of the 2021 NFL Draft class.


Ty Fryfogle, WR, Indiana
Hard work pays off — that has been the mantra for Indiana senior wide receiver Ty Fryfogle, who has reaped the rewards of his dedication and hard work with a ravishing start to the 2020 campaign. He has emerged as the Hoosiers top playmaker, a fact demonstrated this past Saturday when he hauled in 11 catches for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns that helped the Hoosiers complete a clean sweep of Michigan State and Michigan (142 receiving yards) in back-to-back weeks. Fryfogle has now scored in each of his past three contests, while already surpassing his touchdown total of a year ago (three). His prototype size, along with physicality and toughness, are rare attributes at the wide out position, which is sure to garner plenty of buzz during the draft season. A native of Mississippi, Fryfogle has positioned himself to possibly hear his name called on Day Three of the draft.


Zane Zandier, LB, Virginia
Drum up a clutch performance for Virginia’s Zane Zandier. The thumping linebacker registered eight tackles, one sack and a late-game forced fumble that sealed the deal in a victory against Louisville. The hard-hitting senior drew our attention last year while tallying a team-high 108 tackles despite playing with a broken hand. This season, he is back to laying the lumber and making plays behind the line of scrimmage by the bushel. Zandier brings plenty of experience, manning one of the 3-4 inside backer spots for his entire college career. While he does own some physical limitations, his toughness, leadership and ball skills could land “ZZ Stop” a home as a two-down backer at the next level.


DeAngelo Malone, DL, Western Kentucky
It was an encore performance for C-USA Defensive Player of The Week DeAngelo Malone, who is starting to heat up, recording a pair of sacks for the second consecutive week (he also has 16 tackles during the two-game span). The Hilltoppers senior edge rusher is now the program’s FBS-era leader in sacks, moving one ahead of Quanterus Smith’s mark of 24. Malone possesses a lightning quick first step, with the body frame to bulk up and remain at his current defensive end position at the next level or he could possibly convert to outside linebacker due to his athleticism. There is some legitimate top-100 buzz surrounding this prospect, and with a top-level performance in Indianapolis, there is even the possibility that we could see Malone ultimately land inside the top-50 range.

*Be sure to catch NFLPA Collegiate Bowl director of college recruiting Dane Vandernat every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. ET on ‘The State of Football’ show live on @NFLDraftBible!

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Statement On 2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game

For Immediate Release
Nov. 13, 2020

After careful consideration, the NFLPA has decided to cancel the 2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.  In making this decision, we consulted with our personnel, medical, game operations and internal staff while doing our due diligence to review all potential options within the parameters of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, we determined that we would be unable to provide our participants with the world-class, week-long experience that is the hallmark of our game.

This marks our 10th year providing college seniors with the opportunity to display their talents in front of NFL personnel while learning about the NFLPA’s many available resources within the business of football.  Although we will not hold our typical showcase, we are confident that our alternative approach – an innovative, virtual experience intended to educate, equip and empower participants — will still allow us to strategically engage with this year’s class of prospects as well as our stakeholders, broadcast partners and NFL club personnel while building toward a bigger, better experience for 2022 and beyond.

Formal invitations will be sent out in the coming weeks for select, eligible players to participate in the 2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl experience. We look forward to having them become a part of our game’s 10-year history.

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 9: Ian Book, Jarret Doege, Gerrid Doaks, Trevon Grimes, Evan Fields

Arizona State’s Evan Fields (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on. Also, be sure to monitor the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board for new player additions throughout the season!    

Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame
Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book orchestrated one of the best performances in school history, guiding the Fighting Irish to a monumental double-overtime win over No. 1 ranked Clemson. The senior team captain extended plays, converted in the clutch and led his team from behind, completing 22-of-39 passes for 310 yards and one touchdown. A noted team leader, Notre Dame coaches rave about Book’s football IQ, leadership and intangibles. This was clearly the signature moment of his five-year career in South Bend and should help sway NFL scouts that he can be a viable backup option in the pros.

Jarret Doege, QB, West Virginia
A steady, consistent signal-caller beginning to gain some momentum is West Virginia senior Jarret Doege, who tallied his fourth consecutive 300-yard game, in a narrow loss to Texas. The transfer from Bowling Green has proven to be a smart decision-maker who shows excellent pocket poise and moxie. In 30 career games, Doege now has nearly 7,000 passing yards, completing 64% of his passes with a 57:21 touchdown-to-interception ratio. For NFL teams in search of a traditional pocket-passer type, the Lubbock, Texas native could be viewed as a developmental quarterback at the next level.


Gerrid Doaks, RB, Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats senior running back Gerrid Doaks totaled more than 200 all-purpose yards, including a career-high 184 rushing yards. The bruising runner who prides himself on playing a hard-nosed, physical brand of football, Doaks can pound it between the tackles and has also shown to be a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield. The Indianapolis native had endured various ailments in each of the past three seasons, but with a strong senior campaign, Doaks continues to garner the attention of NFL scouts.


Trevon Grimes, WR, Florida
The athletic traits of Trevon Grimes were on full display during the Gators romp over Georgia, as the senior hauled in a pair of key catches, including a highlight-reel touchdown grab. A former five-star recruit who hails from high school powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, Grimes transferred from Ohio State after the 2017 season and found himself stuck behind one of the most talented wide receivers corps in college football over the past few seasons. His size and athleticism offers an appealing upside at the next level, while he has also has shown vast improvement in his route running this season. After missing some time earlier this year while contemplating an opt-out, Grimes now has a chance to solidify his draft stock and possibly hear his name called on Day Three of the 2021 NFL Draft.


Evan Fields, DB, Arizona State
Arizona State had its hands full against USC on Saturday, but Sun Devils senior safety Evan Fields demonstrated why he is such a valuable cog, accumulating 17 tackles, forcing two fumbles and collecting a big pass breakup during the season-opener loss. With the Sun Devils switching from a 3-3-5 to a base 4-3 scheme, Fields adapted well in his new role, showing the ability to play in space and cover lots of ground. He has drawn praise from head coach Herm Edwards for his ability to play in the box and his effectiveness as a blitzer. The Oklahoma City native was second on the team with 84 tackles a year ago and is an ascending draft prospect, who should be viewed as a versatile sub package player at the next level.

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 8: Nick Starkel, Otis Anderson, Ronnie Rivers, DeVonta Smith, Charles Snowden

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on. Also, be sure to monitor the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board for new player additions throughout the season!   

Nick Starkel, QB, San Jose State
Last week, we discussed the big-play prowess of San Jose State wide receiver Bailey Gaither, who had another stellar week with 10 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown. But what about the quarterback delivering the ball? That would be none other than one-time heralded recruit Nick Starkel. After earning the starting job as a redshirt freshman for Texas A&M, Starkel has since bounced around, transferring to Arkansas before landing at San Jose State on a journey that has taken him through five different head coaches. Being on the move is nothing new for the California native; growing up as an Army brat, he lived in eight different cities across seven different states. Only time will tell if his early season resurrection is enough to land him on the NFL radar, but his 467 passing yard, five touchdown (zero interceptions) performance against New Mexico was a nice reminder to scouts.

Otis Anderson, RB, Central Florida
Few players have done more with less than UCF senior running back Otis Anderson (no relation to the NFL legend). Somewhat hidden in a heavy passing attack and buried in a committee-type backfield during the past several seasons, Anderson has certainly learned to make his opportunities count. He reminded us of that again this past weekend during the Knights’ convincing victory over Houston, exploding for 170 rushing yards and one touchdown on just 16 carries. A look at his career as a whole, Anderson is the definition of effective with his career averages, accumulating 1,975 rushing yards (6.2 average), along with 1,002 receiving yards (11.5) and 469 (12.7) punt return yards. His ability to make defenders miss in open space and versatility to line up at running back, slot receiver or return man, makes him a nice luxury piece for any contending NFL team looking to add an X-factor to the mix.

Ronnie Rivers, RB, Fresno State
Fresno State senior running back Ronnie Rivers was raring last week, demonstrating an impressive run/catch, dual-threat skill-set, totaling 164 yards (95 rushing; 69 receiving) and three touchdowns to help rally the Bulldogs with a come-from-behind victory over Colorado State. A compact back who runs tough, Rivers is difficult to bring down and accumulates plenty of yards after contact, something he did plenty of in this contest. A big element to his elusiveness is his ability to hide behind his offensive linemen due to his short stature and then quickly burst through the hole, as he rips off chunks of yardage. His father, Ron, who played seven years in the NFL with the Lions and Falcons, is also the school’s second all-time leading rusher (3,473). Ronnie, meanwhile, has now scored in 10 straight games dating back to last season. He carries value as a change of pace runner in a committee situation at the next level.

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
It was just another day in the schoolyard for Alabama senior wide out DeVonta Smith, who single-handedly took Mississippi State to the woodshed with his four-touchdown performance. Smith rung up 203 receiving yards overall on 11 receptions and is quickly climbing up the school’s record books. He now ranks in the top five for all-time catches (174), receiving yards (2,868) and touchdowns (31). A two-time team captain, Smith possesses explosive burst off the line of scrimmage, to go along with impressive deep speed and ability to rack up chunks of yardage after the catch. At this stage, some NFL evaluators have Smith rated above both Jerry Jeudy (Broncos) and Henry Ruggs (Raiders), as he appears destined to be a top-10 overall selection.

Charles Snowden, LB, Virginia
Virginia senior outside linebacker Charles Snowden chose a good game to have a career day, registering 10 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble during the Cavaliers’ upset victory over North Carolina. Blessed with great size and athleticism, the Maryland native covers a tremendous amount of ground in pursuit and has also proved capable in pass coverage, in addition to maintaining his special teams roles (FG/XP/PB). The coaching staff decided to move Snowden to the boundary side a few weeks ago in hopes of triggering some of his pass-rush potential. He has since responded by recording sacks in consecutive weeks and has now matched his career high (five) from a year ago. If he continues to produce at this level, Snowden stands a very good chance to hear his name called inside the top 100 of the NFL Draft.

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 7: Zach Smith, Marlon Williams, Bailey Gaither, Kwity Paye, Tyshon Fogg

Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on. Also, be sure to monitor the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board for new player additions throughout the season!   

Zach Smith, QB, Tulsa
Tulsa senior quarterback Zach Smith appears primed to heat up. After missing two weeks due to quarantine, Smith was a bit rusty in his first game back. However, he got back on track this past week against USF, completing 16-of-24 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown, while steering the Golden Hurricanes to their second consecutive victory. The transfer from Baylor has a live arm and was once a heralded recruit coming out of high school, before enduring some downtrodden times during his time with the Bears. Now, he has placed himself on the NFL radar, as he continues to make the most of his new opportunity.

Marlon Williams, WR, UCF
UCF senior wide receiver Marlon Williams continues to post video game-type numbers in the Knights’ high-octane offense. His latest performance came during the trouncing of Tulane this past weekend, as he registered 174 receiving yards and three touchdowns on nine receptions. He has now set career-highs across the board through his first five games with 54 catches, 753 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Williams who primarily lined up in the slot last season, has since moved outside for UCF, demonstrating the type of versatility that should appeal to NFL teams. He was viewed more as a free-agent type prospect coming into the season, but the Mobile, Alabama native is starting to make a strong case for having his name called at some point on Day Three based on his impressive strength, hands and yards after catch ability.

Bailey Gaither, WR, San Jose State
One player to store in the memory bank is redshirt senior wide out Bailey Gaither, who is still relatively unknown in the draft community despite a breakout season for San Jose State last year. The crisp route runner is off to a hot start again, making eight grabs for 110 yards, including a big-play, 52-yard reception. Bailey is held in high regards among the coaching staff for his work ethic and character. He is known to have strong, dependable hands and owns deceptive speed, as he has been timed in the mid 4.4-range. He also plays all four special teams units, in addition to returning both kicks and punts. While Bailey may not hear his name called during the NFL Draft, this is one player who will be tough to cut once you get him to training camp.

Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan
Michigan kicked off its season with an impressive victory over Minnesota behind the defensive effort of pass-rusher Kwity Paye, who displayed a much more diverse pass-rush repertoire on his way to collecting a pair of clutch sacks. His newfound dedication to the film room has had a renowned impact on the maturation of his overall game, according to his coaches. The Providence native, who has packed on nearly 40 pounds since arriving to Ann Arbor, also played running back and was a state champion long jumper in high school with a personal best mark of 21 feet, 5 inches—a testament to his incredible athleticism. With his combination of speed, quickness, balance and flexibility, Paye is a potential first-round pick.

Tyshon Fogg, DB, Rutgers
One of New Jersey’s best-kept secrets resides in Piscataway, as Rutgers senior team leader Tyshon Fogg starred playing in middle of the Scarlet Knights’ suffocating defense during their win over Michigan State. Fogg demonstrated his sideline-to-sideline prowess, swarming to the ball, while collecting 12 tackles, including a pair of backfield stops. The two-time team captain can often be seen calling out pre-snap reads and making sure teammates are in correct alignment. This is a fundamentally sound player who shows excellent tackling technique and possesses all the intangibles to become a solid contributor at the next level.

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board Vol. 2: Pac-12 Defense

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Nate Landman (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

With the return of several conferences to the 2020 college football scene, we are rolling out an updated NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board featuring players from those schools. Next up, Pac-12 defense:

Hamilcar Rashed, Oregon State, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
The offensive backfield has felt like home the past couple years for Hamilcar Rashed, having recorded an astounding 34 tackles for loss over the span, including 22.5 last season to lead the country. Standing at 6-3 and 236 pounds, Rashed physically and athletically looks like an outside linebacker, but he makes his money as a pass rusher in sub packages and versus obvious pass downs. With an arsenal of pass-rushing moves and the first-step quickness to threaten tackles off the edge, it’s no wonder the Phoenix native has translated his elite athletic traits into sack production (14 sacks in 2019). What’s more impressive, however, is that Rashed can also play with power and displays excellent physicality defending the run, chasing ball carriers and as a tackler. 

Nate Landman, Colorado, Linebacker
Playing middle linebacker in the NFL these days requires a versatile skill set and an active mind that can play the chess game with the opposing quarterback while also ensuring his troops are aligned correctly each snap. Nate Landman displays this ability while being a three-down linebacker capable of defending both the run and the pass. With solid speed and range that’s aided by his instincts, the Danville, California product shows very good sideline-to-sideline ability and possesses the highly coveted short-area quickness needed to escape would-be blockers. The son of a former rugby player who was born in Zimbabwe, Landman comes from an athletic family and also displays the intangibles to be a complete player, evidenced by being named team captain in 2019 and being a rare consecutive winner of CU’s Dave Jones Award, given annually to its most outstanding defensive player.

Elijah Molden, Washington, Cornerback
Playing the nickel back is a very unique skill set. A good nickel is smart – capable of understanding both run and pass concepts while anticipating multiple route trees – and also must be quick enough to cover shiftier slot receivers while being physical since he has a gap responsibility in the run game — he replaces a linebacker, after all. Elijah Molden is all of these things, and he does them at a very high level. During the 2019 season – his first as a full-time starter – the West Linn, Oregon product burst onto the scene against BYU by breaking up a remarkable four passes in the game and followed it up the next week versus USC by recording his first career interception. For the remainder of the season, Molden continued to display his athleticism, willingness to get physical, and cover instincts, finishing with 17 pass breakups and four interceptions – marks that few players accumulate in a full college career.

2021 NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL BIG BOARD: PAC-12 DEFENSE

First Name Last Name Position School Height Weight
Tevin Paul DE California 6-4 270
Mustafa Johnson DE Colorado 6-3 290
Osa Odighizuwa DE UCLA 6-2 279
Ryan Bowman DE Washington 6-1 277
Trevon Mason DT Arizona 6-5 310
Austin Faoliu DT Oregon 6-3 293
Jordon Scott DT Oregon 6-1 322
Brandon Pili DT Southern California 6-4 325
Josiah Bronson DT Washington 6-3 291
Kuony Deng OLB California 6-6 225
Cameron Goode OLB California 6-3 235
Nate Landman LB Colorado 6-3 230
Hamilcar Rashed Jr. DE/OLB Oregon State 6-3 236
Curtis Robinson LB Stanford 6-2 232
Jahad Woods OLB Washington State 6-1 225
Lorenzo Burns CB Arizona 5-10 175
Jack Jones CB Arizona State 6-1 170
Chase Lucas CB Arizona State 6-1 175
Camryn Bynum CB California 6-1 190
Elijah Hicks CB California 6-1 195
Thomas Graham Jr. CB Oregon 5-11 197
Deommodore Lenoir CB Oregon 5-11 202
Isaiah Dunn CB Oregon State 6-1 183
Elijah Molden CB Washington 5-10 190
Keith Taylor CB Washington 6-3 198
Brady Breeze DS Oregon 6-1 196
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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board Vol. 2: Pac-12 Offense

UCLA running back Demetric Felton (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

With the return of several conferences to the 2020 college football scene, we are rolling out an updated NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board featuring players from those schools. Next up, Pac-12 offense:

Demetric Felton, UCLA, Running Back
One of the most versatile weapons in the 2021 Draft, Demetric Felton set several UCLA records a season ago, including a record for running backs with 55 receptions on the season and a school record with four scoring plays of 75+ yards. With rare home-run speed, impressive contact balance and deceptive play strength to break tackles, the Temecula, California product is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Standing at 5-10 and 186 pounds, Felton is just as deadly running routes as he is taking handoffs, regularly demonstrating natural instincts, vision and suddenness to find creases or holes in the defense to exploit for gains. Just as impressive, the dynamic playmaker plays bigger than his size and shows excellent ability in pass protection while routinely identifying blitzers, squaring them up and striking with advantageous leverage in order to hold his ground.

Frank Darby, Arizona State, Wide Receiver
Arizona State has had back-to-back wide receivers selected in the first round and in 2021, its hope is that Frank Darby makes it a three-peat. With a strong build on his 6-1, 200 pound frame, Darby is a fairly consistent hands catcher who can run the full route tree and threaten defenses vertically. Despite having the tendency to cradle some balls with his body, the Jersey City, New Jersey native does an excellent job of adjusting to the flight of the ball, tracking it over his shoulder, elevating up to high point throws, and using his body to shield the ball from defenders. Play strength is a real advantage of his, enabling him to break arm tackles to create big RAC gains as well as getting after defenders as a blocker, which is another impressive aspect of his game.

Orlando Umana, Utah, Center
Versatility is key when playing interior offensive line and Utes center Orlando Umana knows a thing or two about playing multiple positions. After opening the 2018 season as the starting left guard, the big-bodied Umana has started the last year and a half at center, providing a strong presence in the middle of the offensive line. With strong hands to latch onto defenders, anchor strength to shut down a charge, and enough speed to get out to the perimeter on screens, the Sacramento, California native is capable in all aspects of the game. What’s particularly impressive is his awareness when combo-ing up to the linebacker level and keeping an eye on potential blitzers when executing zone schemes. The NFLPA Bowl will be keeping an eye on Umana this year to see if he can improve his pad level in 2020 in order to be even more effective sustaining his blocks.

2021 NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL BIG BOARD: PAC-12 OFFENSE

First Name Last Name Pos. College Height Weight
Anthony Brown QB Oregon 6-1 220
Jake Bentley QB Utah 6-4 220
Gary Brightwell RB Arizona 6-1 210
Stephen Carr RB Southern Cal 6-1 205
Demetric Felton RB UCLA 5-10 186
Vavae Malepeai RB Southern Cal 5-11 215
Frank Darby WR Arizona State 6-1 200
Kadarrian “K.D.” Nixon WR Colorado 5-9 190
Johnny Johnson III WR Oregon 6-1 199
Trevon Bradford WR Oregon State 6-1 182
Tyler Vaughns WR Southern Cal 6-1 185
Jake Curhan OT California 6-5 330
Jake Burton OT UCLA 6-6 312
Liam Ryan OT Washington State 6-5 300
Luke Wattenberg OG Washington 6-4 300
Josh McCauley OC Arizona 6-3 292
Orlando Umana OC Utah 6-4 311
Oscar Draguicevich III P Washington State 6-1 185
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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch Week 6: Kylen Granson, Jaelon Darden, Dahu Green, Tarron Jackson, Grant Morgan

Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Each week, the scouting department at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will examine some of the top performances in college football by potential pro prospects that we are keeping an eye on. Also, be sure to monitor the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board for new player additions throughout the season!  

Kylen Granson, TE, SMU
One player who has emerged as a pass-catching threat for SMU, is tight end/h-back prospect Kylen Granson. He made several key grabs during the Mustangs thrilling OT win over Tulane this past weekend, showing off his athleticism and run-after-catch abilities. With big play wide out Reggie Roberson Jr. expected to miss the rest of the season, Granson will have plenty of opportunity to grab the attention of the NFL scouting community. While he’s considered to be somewhat of a “tweener,” he can also be viewed as a luxury piece type of weapon at the next level — Granson can line up inline, in the slot, outside, or in the backfield to allow an offense to get very creative in their alignments.

Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas
You often hear wide receivers complain that they’re always open; for North Texas senior wide out Jaelon Darden, it really seems to be the case. The Houston native recorded his second consecutive 200-yard receiving game, pushing his season total to 689 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns through five games, while becoming the second leading receiver in Mean Green history. A projected slot prospect at the next level, the one-time track standout is expected to run in the 4.4-range and possesses high football intelligence, with a strong understanding of how to read opposing defenses, per his coaches.
The Houston native has endured plenty of perseverance, having played quarterback at two different high schools, sitting out most of his senior season due to transferring and committing to three different universities before finding a home at North Texas. His work ethic and drive has rubbed off on the team; according to coaches, you can often find him after practice running routes by himself in a constant effort to improve. That dedication has paid off, as he is squarely on the NFL radar.

Dahu Green, WR, Arkansas State
The Arkansas State program has been sprouting wide receiver prospects of late. We previously discussed the emergence of Jonathan Adams earlier this season, along with the pro tandem of Omar Bayless (Panthers) and Kirk Merritt (Dolphins) of a year ago. Now, meet the latest wide out to pop onto the NFL radar in Dahu Green. It has been an arduous journey for the Oklahoma transfer who has endured a slew of injuries during the past couple of seasons. In high school, he once ran a 22-second 200 and recorded a 6-7 high jump with Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley in attendance, a remarkable feat for his size!
Now a sixth-year senior, Green has begun to live up to his potential as one of the bigger, more explosive receivers in this year’s draft class. During the Red Wolves 59-52 victory over Georgia State on prime time, he tallied 172 receiving yards on nine receptions with two scores. Not to be outdone, the aforementioned Adams also set a single-game school record with 15 receptions during this Sun Belt shootout. Keep an eye on this dynamic duo, as they seem primed to move up draft boards.

Tarron Jackson, DE, Coastal Carolina
It has been somewhat of a magical year for undefeated Coastal Carolina (4-0), as it continued to shock the college football world with an upset victory over No. 21 Louisiana. An unsung hero for the Chanticleers defense has been senior defensive end Tarron Jackson, who tallied four tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and creating havoc for the opposing quarterback throughout the game, despite often times facing double-team coverage. Jackson plays extremely physical with an extremely high motor, which helps compensate for some of his physical limitations. After a double-digit sack campaign a year ago, the two-time team captain has a pair of sacks on the season and has positioned himself as a potential Day 3 NFL Draft prospect.

Grant Morgan, LB, Arkansas
Arkansas senior linebacker Grant Morgan had himself a day for the ages, recording 19 tackles, including three tackles for loss and one sack, along with two pass deflections and a game-clinching pick-six interception…while basically playing with one arm, as his left arm was in a cast due to injury. The former walk-on, now team captain, is the ultimate competitor and has racked up 52 tackles through the first four games, while emerging as a four-down back. In fact, his experience playing on all four special teams units during the past four seasons (nearly 700 snaps), makes him a candidate to become a special teams ace at the next level. Grant, who recently got married this past summer, also possesses NFL bloodlines, as his older brother, Drew, also played for the Razorbacks and spent two seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board Vol. 2: Mid-American Conference (MAC)

Miami (OH) RedHawks left tackle Tommy Doyle (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)

With the return of several conferences to the 2020 college football scene, we are rolling out an updated NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board featuring players from those schools. Next up, the Mid-American Conference (MAC):

Dustin Crum, Kent State, Quarterback
Throwing 20 touchdown passes in a season is an accomplishment; throwing a 10-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, though, is downright outstanding! Last season for the Flashes, Dustin Crum earned the starting quarterback position and made the most of the opportunity while leading Kent State to a 7-6 record and its first-ever bowl victory. Despite being slighter framed physically, the Grafton, Ohio native is a dual-threat athlete with good toughness and speed who’s capable of racking up yards on the ground as well as through the air. Making good decisions with the football while not forcing throws into coverage were a staple of Crum’s game in 2019 — and are what one might expect from an aerospace engineering major. Season No. 2 as the starter will be an important one for Crum to show that last season wasn’t a fluke and that he deserves consideration in the later rounds of the draft.

Tommy Doyle, Miami (OH), Offensive Tackle
Standing at 6-8 and 315 pounds, it’s difficult to get around RedHawks left tackle Tommy Doyle. With a wide wingspan and impressive feet for a player of his height, the first-team all-MAC performer from a season ago easily guides rushers around the pocket and away from the quarterback. With unusual ability to bend at the knees and sink his hips rather than bend at the waist, Doyle is able to stay in front of defenders and maintain positioning between his target and the ball carrier. With slightly improved play strength and a third upcoming season as a starter under his belt, the Edina, Minnesota native has the opportunity to present his case to NFL talent evaluators as to why he’s one of the top senior tackle prospects in the whole country.

Ali Fayad, Western Michigan, Outside Linebacker
Ali Fayad has been a menace to opposing MAC quarterbacks. With a toolbox full of finesse pass rushing moves, the third-year starter and first-team All-MAC defensive end has amassed an impressive career stat sheet that reads 32.5 TFLs and 16.5 sacks in 38 career games – and he still has his senior season to go! What makes the Dearborn, Michigan product an intriguing prospect for the NFL is that he will be a player changing positions, going from hand-in-the-dirt defensive end to stand-up linebacker. With a knack for being too slippery for blockers to latch onto, there’s no doubt that Fayad possesses the athleticism and short-area quickness to make the transition, but in 2020, he will need to demonstrate a little more consistent urgency getting to the football, particularly when plays go away from him.

2021 NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL BIG BOARD: MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE (MAC)

Pos. First Name Last Name School Height Weight
WR Justin Hall Ball State 5-9 176
CB Antonio Phillips Ball State 5-11 185
TE Quintin Morris Bowling Green 6-4 233
TE Zac Lefebvre Buffalo 6-6 250
OT Kayode Awosika Buffalo 6-4 300
DE Malcolm Koonce Buffalo 6-3 245
QB Dustin Crum Kent State 6-2 201
OT Tommy Doyle Miami-OH 6-8 315
OC Danny Godlevske Miami-OH 6-2 300
CB Manny Rugamba Miami-OH 6-0 193
LB Kyle Pugh Northern Illinois 5-11 235
WR D’Wayne Eskridge Western Michigan 5-9 184
OLB Ali Fayad Western Michigan 6-1 240
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NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board Vol. 2: Mountain West

Boise State tight end John Bates (AP Photo/Steve Conner)

With the return of several conferences to the 2020 college football scene, we are rolling out an updated NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board featuring players from those schools. Next up, the Mountain West:

John Bates, Boise State, Tight End
John Bates caught our scouts’ eye last year while evaluating 2020 Collegiate Bowl participant John Molchon due to Bates’ athleticism and excellent ability to adjust to the flight of the football. A traditional “Y” tight end for the Broncos, the two-time John Mackey Award Watch List member possesses good size at 6-5 and 255 pounds to function as a blocker at the line of scrimmage (LOS) as well as threaten defenses down the middle in the passing game. With smooth athleticism, very good body control and soft hands, Bates – despite only catching 22 passes in 2019 – consistently demonstrated the receiving skill necessary to play in the NFL. With increased play strength and a little more block sustain in 2020, the Lebanon, Oregon product has an opportunity to assert himself as one of the nation’s top true senior tight end prospects.

Jordan Jackson, Air Force Academy, Defensive End
Jordan Jackson is fun to watch. The Jacksonville, Florida native is a versatile defensive lineman who goes 100 mph every snap and is consistently living in the offensive backfield. Prior to this year, Jackson recorded a whopping 17 career tackles for loss and eight sacks – a testament to his initial quickness, instincts, physicality and non-stop motor. In the Falcons’ rivalry games last year versus Navy and Army, Jackson was a monster, recording a season-high eight tackles versus Navy before besting that feat with a nine-tackle performance against Army, while adding a sack in both games. A question remains whether Jackson will participate in 2020 when Air Force opens conference play, but opposing offenses surely are hoping he doesn’t.

Dwayne Johnson, San Diego State, Safety
In his first year as a starter in 2019, Dwayne Johnson established himself as a force to be reckoned with on a very good Aztec defense, accounting for 92 tackles, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and five pass breakups. The hard-hitting strong safety type from Murrieta, California is arguably at his best hovering near the LOS where his instincts, physicality and play strength enable him to match up with tight ends on pass routes and especially be a factor in the run game. With near linebacker size at 6-2 and 215 pounds, Johnson is one of the more aggressive safety prospects in the country who consistently demonstrates his willingness to strike climbing blockers and get involved as a tackler. Special teams are where he’ll likely contribute initially on an NFL roster – something he has a plethora of experience doing, dating back to his freshman and sophomore seasons.

2021 NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL BIG BOARD: MOUNTAIN WEST

Pos. First Name Last Name School Height Weight
DE Jordan Jackson Air Force 6-5 270
TE John Bates Boise State 6-5 255
DC Avery Williams Boise State 5-9 198
WR Warren Jackson Colorado State 6-5 219
DE Emmanuel “Manny” Jones Colorado State 6-4 266
OT Syrus Tuitele Fresno State 6-6 305
WR Rico Bussey Jr. Hawaii 6-1 192
WR Elijah Cooks Nevada 6-4 215
RB Charles Williams Nevada-Las Vegas 5-9 185
SAF Patrick Peek New Mexico 5-10 199
OT Zachary Thomas San Diego State 6-5 300
SAF Dwayne Johnson Jr. San Diego State 6-2 215
SAF Tariq Thompson San Diego State 6-0 200
SAF Jonathan “Jay” Lenard Jr. San Jose State 6-1 207
DE Garrett Crall Wyoming 6-5 242
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