Dec 172016
 
Elijah McGuire, UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (November 19, 2016)

Elijah McGuire – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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2017 NFL Draft Prospects: December 17, 2016 Bowl Games

by BigBlueInteractive.com Contributor Sy’56

HOUSTON

#1 QB Greg Ward Jr – 5’11/190

Three year starter with 27 winds under his belt. Had a very solid dual-threat career, completing 67+% of his passes three straight seasons. He will make a move to WR or RB at the next level. Very shift and savvy ball carrier that can add some bulk to his frame and be a threat in the open field. He will likely get drafted in the final round.

#94 DE Cameron Malveuax – 6’6/270

Fifth year senior and two year starter. Dirty work-type guy with tools. Will be attractive to teams looking to develop a 3-4 DE, as he is a guy that will be able to add 20 pounds to his frame. Plays a physical, tough brand but won’t be the play-making type. Late rounder at best.

#26 CB Brandon Wilson– 5’11/200

Fifth year senior, three year starter. Actually has seen starts at CB and RB over the past two years in addition to be a dangerous kick returner. There is a chance some teams see him as a RB at the next level. He isn’t the most fluid ball skill guy and will struggle in downfield coverage. He has a physical style to him though, risky type that will take chances. I like him as a late rounder, you can do a few things with him. In the era of short rosters, he has game-day versatility.

Other Notables:

#51 LB Steven Taylor– 6’1/225
#81 LB Tyler Bowser– 6’2/340

SAN DIEGO STATE

#56 OG Nico Siragusa – 6’5/330

Fifth year senior and three year starter. 1st Team All Muntain West 2 straight years. Some call him the best OL in school history. Has played both guard spots but primarily on the left side. Road grader type that gets off the snap well and will win a lot of one on one battles. He can handle big guys in the NFL right away. Doesn’t have the foot quickness to be a factor in space against linebackers. Needs better balance and body control on the move. 3rd-5th rounder is where I would peg him now.

#19 RB Donnel Pumphrey – 5’8/180

Record setting all purpose back. His name was thrown in to the Heisman discussion about mid-way through the year. Doak Walker Award finalist. Currently the #2 career rusher in NCAA history, behind only Ron Dayne. Anyone that rushes for over 6,000 yards in 4 years needs to be looked at. He doesn’t carry a ton of weight, he won’t break tackles, and his presence as a tackler is minimal. However I think there is some Dexter McCluster in him and he could find a spot somewhere in the league as a rotational back and return man. 5th or 6th round,

#23 CB Damontae Kazee – 5’11/190

2015 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and many consider him the favorite to win it in 2016. 40+ career starts and 15 IN Ts over the past two seasons despite teams often trying to throw away from him. Kazee is very physical, very aggressive. He shows no hesitation in going after ball carrier and fullbacks alike. I didn’t get to see him challenged in coverage that much yet. He really does have shut-down potential because of his speed and playing strength. He is smart, experienced, quick reactions. He is a darkhorse for a guy that could creep up in to that 1st/2nd row area.

Other Notables:

#75 OT Miller, Kwayde – OT – 6’7/315
#71 OT Brunskill, Daniel – OT – 6’5/265
#54 OLB Munson, Calvin – 6’1/245
#58 DE Barrett, Alex – 6’3/258
#12 S Smith, Malik – 6’0/190

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APPALACHIAN STATE

#75 C Parker Collins– 6’2/295

One of my favorite centers to watch this year. I don’t think he is the top guy in the class but he plays really hard and will make an impact in the league. I see an eventual starter here if he can add some bulk and strength. Three year starter with experience at OG and C, his future will likely be at C. He is one of the better ones in this class when it comes to blocking on the move at he second level. Real competitor here. Late rounder that will be very attractive to teams that move their centers laterally often.

#14 RB Marcus Cox– 5’10/205

Downhill slasher that will shoot upfield when the lanes are there. He has some explosion and violence to him that will get him to break tackles and gains yard after contact, something I always look for. Pretty good receiver out of the backfield. He didn’t do well in limited pass blocking opportunities from what I saw but I would need to see more before I put a negative label there. Late rounder.

Other Notables:

#6 LB Gilchrist, Kennan – 6’2/225
#3 S Gray, Alex – 6’3/225

TOLEDO

#3 RB Kareem Hunt – 6’0/225

Four year starter that has had a very long, productive career. He has gained nearly 5,000 career total yards, averaging over 6 yards per carry. Hunt isn’t very shifty or fast, but he has a good downhill approach with a low pad level and consistent ability to break tackle and fall forward. He has shown more versatility this year with soft hands out of the backfield and quality pass blocking. Reminds me of NYG RB Rashad Jennings coming out of Liberty. 5th-6th rounder.

#91 DT Treyvon Hester – 6’3/300

Fifth year senior, three year starter. Really quick and active interior guy that will get in on a lot of action. Moves well in traffic, shows a natural flow to the ball. He isn’t a very stout guy but he does play strong and powerful.. Violent player that could do well on an attacking, aggressive defense. 5th-6th rounder.

Other Notables:

#23 S Rogers, DeJuan – 6’0/190

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UCF

#10 CB Shaquill Griffin – 6’1/200

I’ve only seen him once this year but he fits the mold of tall, long, fast corners that a lot of teams are searching for right now. He showed me that he can turn and run with legit speed as well as make plays on the ball. He is a physical, aggressive guy. I want to see more but he is someone that can shoot up the board in the coming months. 25 pass break ups over the past two years.

Other Notables:

#21 S Drico Johnson – 6’2/205
#24 CB DJ Killings – 6’0/185

ARKANSAS STATE

#93 DE Chris Odom – 6’3/255

Son of former NFL linebacker Cliff Odom, a 13 year veteran. Tools are there, teams will like the height/weight/speed combination and he put together a 12.5 sack season this year. Odom bends well off the snap and turns the edge, does a lot of little things right. Scouts and coaches alike are always intrigued by prospects with NFL in their blood. I think he will test well and some will see a high ceiling edge rusher here. Potentially a 4th or 5th rounder.

Other Notables:

#55 LB Xavier Woodson-Luster – 6’1/207
#94 DT Waylon Roberson – 6’1/342

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SOUTHERN MISS

#9 QB Nick Mullens – 6’1/200

Accurate thrower that has started for four years. Didn’t have the 2016 some of us thought he would, could even say he took a step back. 90+% of his snaps came from the shotgun and he wasn’t forced to make multiple reads pre and post snap. Will need a lot of development. He protects the ball well and will fit the ball in to tight windows. Does a nice job of timing his throws and anticipating lanes. Just doesn’t have the measurables or arm power that some want to see.

Other Notables:

#70 C Cameron Tom, 6’2/287
#12 LB D’Nerius Antoine – 6’1/215

UL LAFAYETTE

#15 RB Elijah McGuire – 5’11/215

Top prospect in the game. Will leave school as their all time career yards leader by a long shot. Dual-threat type that averaged 35 catches per season since 2014. He’s put on about 25 pounds over the past three years and I think the best is yet to come with him. He truly is an every down threat and I would say his hands out of the backfield are among the best in the class. I haven’t seen him tested much as a blocker just yet, so that will factor in to his grade but when we are talking about what he can do with the ball, he excites me. Versatility and high ceiling type.

Other Notables:

#7 LB Otha Peters 6’2/228

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