NFL scouts and decision-makers look first to the biggest games under the brightest lights when prioritizing the scouting of prospects. For many years, I used quality of the opponent to gauge where I would look for answers. Bowl games provide prospects the opportunity to put the finishing touches on their resume, often against top competition.
You can say the hay is in the barn for about 70% of the prospects. But many must make up their minds about whether to enter the transfer portal, the draft pool or return to school, with the name, image and likeness factor adding a new set of questions to consider.
In recent weeks, many NFL leaders have summoned college scouts to collect information they’ve gathered on prospects while on the road throughout the fall. For the first time, the scouts — many of whom have made up to three visits to a particular school, talking to sources, coaches and players themselves — will share in person what they have found.
A lot of NFL decision-makers have not done the film work yet. A bowl game — or, at times, even an all-star game — might be some coaches’ first impression. They will put extra importance on these impressions and less on early games in the regular season.
So as college bowl season kicks into full swing, here are six games and nine prospects to keep an eye on, ordered by the date of each game.
Dec. 29 — Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Oregon State vs. Notre Dame
Player to watch: Taliese Fuaga, OT (75), Oregon State (6-6, 334)
A junior, Fuaga is said to be entering the 2024 draft. He plays right tackle at Oregon State, but his top-notch lateral range and athletic ability allow him to single-block good rushers on an island and might allow him to move to the left side at the NFL level. He is big with ample arm length but also has explosive punch and good quickness. He needs his technique to improve, and his consistency can be questioned at times, but he has all the tools to be a starter at the next level. A bowl game versus top competition might determine whether he sneaks into the first round. His teammate at left tackle, Joshua Gray (No. 67), has draftable length but might be better suited to move inside. It’s easy to see how Oregon State had such a good year with these two as bookends in what equates to a pro-style offense. Fuaga has skills that are hard to find. He should be off the board before the third round.
Dec. 29 — Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Missouri vs. Ohio State
Player to watch: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB (2), Missouri (6-0, 188)
Rakestraw is a redshirt junior who has hinted at jumping to the NFL. He has had a bit of a disjointed season due to injury (groin), missing time in several key games. He also tore his ACL in October 2021, so NFL teams will have to be comfortable with his knee. Scouts would love to see him healthy for another game to add to his body of work. Facing Ohio State receivers, especially Marvin Harrison Jr. if he plays, would be such valuable exposure. Rakestraw plays all spots — the field, the boundary and even some inside in sub packages — and that versatility will add value for NFL teams. He was a 200-meter sprinter in high school, and it’s clear he has the speed to close from off technique when coming downhill, and the speed to catch up in the open field and while running deep.
Dec. 30 — Capital One Orange Bowl: Georgia vs. Florida State
Player to watch: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL (14), Florida State (6-5, 334)
A double transfer, Jackson started at Maryland and played in all 13 games as a freshman, and then started all 12 games at Miami in 2022. His body of work is very limited because the NCAA denied his transfer waiver before the season, but he has been granted permission to play in the postseason. Jackson has the size and strength to play five-technique at the NFL level, and there are so few that have his skill set. He will probably get drafted high, even though he has not played much college football. NIL might be a reason for him to stay and build his body of work, but if he plays lights out against Georgia, he will have a decision to make because the pros will be calling. He’s a fun guy to watch — an exceptional run player but very raw as a pass rusher, with skills that can surely be developed by NFL coaching.
Jan. 1 — ReliaQuest Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU
Player to watch: Maason Smith, DT (0), LSU (6-6, 315)
There will be plenty of NFL eyes on both rosters, but one guy with giant upside who needs to increase his body of work is Smith. Undecided about whether he will return or enter the draft, he has all the physical tools one would look for as a five-technique or defensive tackle at the next level. He is just raw and unrefined. As a redshirt sophomore, his development has shown more potential than production. Unfortunately, he played in only nine games as a true freshman, tore his ACL in the first quarter of the 2022 opener, was suspended for the opener this season and has struggled with nagging injuries. Because of this, his stamina and intensity are inconsistent. A big bowl game would put extra money in his pocket, if he indeed comes out, like many scouts predict he will.
Jan. 1 — Rose Bowl (CFP semifinal): Alabama vs. Michigan
Player to watch: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB (1), Alabama (6-1, 195)
The former No. 1 cornerback recruit nationally has three years under his belt and is expected to enter the draft. At Bama, he replaced another first-round pick in Pat Surtain II, who was a top-10 pick by Denver. McKinstry is returning from concussion protocol but is expected to play against Michigan. He has the length and straight-line speed to play press technique and also gets reps in bail technique. What NFL teams are still trying to figure out is whether he can he play “off and pedal” and how he will play the run at the next level. Against Michigan, he should get plenty of chances to set the edge and tackle versus a powerful running game. The good news for McKinstry is that no position group is better prepared for the pros each year than Nick Saban-coached defensive backs. Saban is the best I’ve ever been around at coaching DB technique.
Player to watch: J.J. McCarthy, QB (9), Michigan (6-3, 202)
The third-year college QB has yet to commit to returning or entering the draft. He can’t even commit to legally ordering a beer, as he doesn’t turn 21 until Jan. 20. But the film does not lie, and his skill set might challenge for the best in this year’s QB class, even perhaps with Caleb Williams. If he has a highlight playoff performance against the greatest college coach and the Crimson Tide defense, it might just change the landscape at the top of the NFL Draft. And, yes, I’m talking about the very top. McCarthy has the size, athletic ability and arm to go with accuracy, backing up his 74.2% completion rate this year with career marks of 46 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. If his intangibles check out, and I have no reason to think they won’t, his ability to get the ball out from the pocket and on the run will give NFL decision-makers something to really consider as to whether he’s a legit franchise QB. Because he is only three years removed from high school, many in NFL circles have not studied his film yet. The offense is basic, but a positive national TV exposure in college playoff games would send GMs and offensive coaches to the film room. The drop-dead date for underclassmen to declare is Jan 15.
Jan. 1 — Allstate Sugar Bowl (CFP semifinal): Washington vs. Texas
Players to watch: Rome Odunze (1) (6-3, 215), Ja’Lynn Polk (2) (6-2, 204), Jalen McMillan (11) (6-1, 192), WRs, Washington
I am focusing on all three of the Huskies receivers. They might just be the most talented and NFL-like receiving corps in the country (I know, LSU might like a word). The thing I like most is they are football players, not divas. Odunze gets most of the media attention, and rightly so. He has size but combines it with excellent speed and body control, allowing him to run a complete route tree and separate from tight coverage. He can catch outside his frame and when he is covered. This just in … they cover you at the NFL level. He is also willing to block in the run game and plays with a physical nature that is rare at the position. It might surprise some that he is in a competition with Marvin Harrison Jr. in many NFL teams’ draft rooms as the top wideout in the class. Playoff games against top competition will be a really good way to separate them.
Polk, a junior who has yet to declare, is another route runner with an NFL frame. He has the size to work the inside zones and plays with a high football IQ.
McMillan is a fourth-year senior who still has another year of eligibility, and I would lean toward him returning for 2024. He’s been fighting through injuries during the second half of the season, and a year of being “the guy” in ‘24 might be just what the doctor ordered for his career.
This Washington team is full of NFL prospects and will be fun to watch against top-level competition in the College Football Playoff.
