The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be televised on Saturday, January 17th at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN 2. Too many numbers for you in that initial sentence? Too bad, as we're bringing a list of players to keep an eye on during this scouting event.
American Team Offense:
Cole Stoudt, QB, Clemson: After a lackluster statistical season, Stoudt has looked the most crisp on the American squad at quarterback. Stoudt ended the 2014 season on a resounding note with a 319-yard, three touchdown Bowl game performance against Oklahoma.
Paul Lasike, FB, BYU: In Wednesday's practice, Lasike was catching multliple passes out of the backfield and made multiple quality runs. BYU tends to ask much more out of their fullbacks than a standard lead-blocker. Remember the versatility in Fui Vakapuna? Lasike has similar traits.
Kaelin Clay, WR, Utah: Unfortunately, Clay had an egregious mistake against Oregon, which became what he was most known for in 2014, but he also had four receiving touchdowns and three punt return touchdowns.
Mario Alford, WR, West Virginia: Bill Polian had Alford as one of his top players at the NFLPA Bowl, given Alford's 11 touchdowns and 65 receptions in 2014. His slight stature (5'9", 177) dings him, but if he can show some of the explosiveness, he'll make himself some money.
Brian Vogler, TE, Alabama: Here's the thing with this kid: minimal college production, but a physical specimen. He's looked decent in drills, but at 6'7" and 260 pounds, teams could look take a hard look at him.
Antoine Everett, OT/OG, McNeese State: Cody Tewmey had the pleasure of talking to this young man after he impressed him in practice. Tewmey believes that a transition from tackle to guard in the NFL could bring him a future at the next level. At this event, he's listed as a guard, so he will have a chance to prove Tewmey right.
Jarvis Harrison, OG, Texas A&M: The big boy has been pushing people around on the offensive line this week in practices. His sheer size makes scouts drool at 6'4", 330 pounds, as does his versatility. Harrison played both left guard and left tackle in college and translates more to a guard in the NFL.
American Defense:
Brock Hekking, DE/LB, Nevada: This is another guy that Tewmey spoke with after practice, given his performances in practice and his preceding reputation. He doesn't have the athleticism of another former Bengals third round draft pick out of Nevada, Dontay Moch, but he's two inches taller than his Wolfpack predecessor and his motor is incessant. And, if you're wondering, he's got the best hairstyle at the event.
Ethan Farmer, DT, North Carolina: The 6'3", 295-pound lineman had 2.5 sacks and six tackles for loss in 2014 and has been performing well in practice. He's probably the most visible of the interior linemen on the American defense.
John (J.R.) Tavai, LB/DE, USC: Tavai is an interesting player, as he's been productive, but battled injuries. Despite missing two games from an ankle injury and being a "'tweener" type of guy, Tavai had seven sacks last year. Scouts and media members swarmed him after practice, so it's safe to say that a lot of eyes will be on him on Saturday.
Troy Hill, CB, Oregon: As was mentioned in the interview piece that went up earlier Saturday morning, Hill is an impressive player. His speed, fluidity and savviness make him another one of Polian's top prospects at this game and he's shown it in practices. This is another guy who could potentially make himself a lot of money this weekend.
Erick Dargan, CB/S, Oregon: Dargan has worked as a safety and in the slot at the practices and has shown the range that he displayed throughout 2014. His seven interceptions and four games with double-digit tackle numbers last season will ensure that he will gets heavy looks.
National Offense:
Andrew Hendrix, QB, Miami (OH): Hendrix had a low completion percentage in 2014, but you wouldn't have known it by his work in drills. Per Tewmey, Hendrix started his career at Notre Dame until transferring to Miami. Ironically, he has been coached by Jon Kitna this week and there are some resemblances in the brief glimpses we've seen in his stature and play.
Brandon Bridge, QB, South Alabama: This is the kid that a lot of scouts want to see this week. He looks every bit the part at 6'5" and 235 pounds, coupled with nimble athleticism and a rocket arm. Unfortunately, the mental parts of the game and a lack of accuracy at times makes him a frustrating guy to evaluate.
Malcolm Agnew, RB, Southern Illinois: He transferred from Oregon State to Southern Illinois in 2013 to join his Saluki brother, Ray. He had 10 rushing touchdowns in 2014 and has looked solid in drills at the NFLPA Bowl.
Chris Conley, WR, Georgia: The background on this guy is well-documented in the interview piece we posted on Friday. He's had a great week of practice so far.
Devin Mahina, TE, BYU: He's a big guy that has been making good catches in traffic at practice. Mahina didn't have much statistical production at BYU, but at 6'6" and 250 pounds, he could be a solid developmental guy at the next level.
Cameron Clear, TE, Texas A&M: Clear is another tight end with limited production, but has turned heads with his physical make-up. At 6'6" and 265-plus pounds, he is a pro typical NFL tight end. He's looked good in some drills and "meh" in others, so it will be interesting to see what impact he has on the game on Saturday.
Chad Slade, OG, Auburn: Slade has started games for the Tigers since 2011 and was a solid player at right guard. At 6'5" and 315 pounds, he's a specimen, but let's see how the run game does on Saturday.
National Defense:
Marcus Rush, DE, Michigan State: This is one of Tewmey's favorites of the weekend, both because of local ties but also due to his skill set. In his interview with Rush, Tewmey found out that the Spartan sees himself as more of an outside linebacker at the next level. He's looked solid in drills and has utilized an effective spin move.
DeShawn Williams, DT, Clemson: The former Tiger isn't a mammoth at 6'1", 295 pounds, but he has shown effectiveness, as evidenced by his three sacks in 2014. He's looked good in spurts in drills, it's just a consistency issue.
Leon Orr, DT, Florida: This guy is a total enigma. After leaving the team midway through his senior season because of what Orr claimed to be family issues, he wasn't reinstated. Former Gators coach Will Muschamp claimed that Orr "quit" because of the fact that he was demoted. He's shown good quickness and disruption on plays, but scouts will look at his effort, as well as his 6'5", 305-pound frame.
Zaire Anderson, LB, Nebraska: Anderson is one of those solid midwestern school linebackers. He's had a good couple of practices, including an interception of Bridge, but he'll need to show that he can overcome his small size (5'11", 220 pounds). Last year, a similarly-sized player in Jeremiah George participated in the NFLPA Bowl and got time with the Jaguars in 2014.
Chris Dunkley, CB, South Florida: Dunkley has had a solid couple of practices as well, despite not being a cornerback from the get-go. The NFLPA Bowl is made for guys like him--uber-talented, but may have experienced certain issues, like a position switch. Aside from needing more coaching up as a corner, he adds a little bit of kick return ability too.