Scouting The Bowl Games

[*bfine32*]

Each year I create a thread that allows us to discuss prospects in the CFB Bowls. Feel fre to post your thoughts on Preview or reaction.

We kick the season off with the much heralded Art of Sport  LA Bowl

CAL v. UNLV


UNLV: Rick White III/WR. Started at our favorite school (Mich St). The dude is the ant-Burton. Savvy veteran of high character

UNLV: Jackson Woodard/LB. Stat filling LB 124 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 4 Ints. Academic All-American and Team Captain

CAL: Nohl Williams: Big-bodied/ Ball-Hawking DB

[puddycat]

I really want to like White III. He's sold as savvy but only seems to get separation on the deep ball. 4 blocked punts this year as he works to round out his game for the NFL.

[*bfine32*]

(12-18-2024, 11:04 PM)puddycat Wrote: I really want to like White III.  He's sold as savvy but only seems to get separation on the deep ball. 4 blocked punts this year as he works to round out his game for the NFL.

Apparently White 3 is not playing. I didn't see that in pregame write ups. I like what I see out of this UNLV LB. Seems good at read and react. 

[*ochocincos*]

Saturday is a big game here living in middle Tennessee and wife and a couple neighbors being Buckeye fans.

The chaos gremlin in me wants the Vols to win, but don't tell my wife

[*Synric*]

Xavier Watts vs Kurtis Rouke and the Indiana passing offense is going to be fun to watch tonight.

[*ochocincos*]

(Yesterday, 03:22 PM)Synric Wrote: Xavier Watts vs Kurtis Rouke and the Indiana passing offense is going to be fun to watch tonight.

Ooh damn, I may actually skip watching Smackdown in favor of that. YEAH!

[*bfine32*]

Best thing about the expanded bowl series is we get to see more elite prospects not skipping their Bowl game. Tonight (12/20/24) we are treated to IU v. ND. Some prospects to keep an eye on:

IU:
MIKAIL KAMARA-EDGE: The dude lives in the opponent’s backfield. Probably better suited for a 3-4 OLB, but maybe we’ll bring one of those in

CJ WEST- IDL: Pick run stuffing IDL who will be available late in the draft due to only 1-season at a “big” Program

ELIJAH SURRATT/WR: Solid built WR (6’2/215) with good hands and RAC skills. Also has KR skills

ND:
XAVIER WATTS/DB: One of my favorite players in the draft. Came out of HS as the #89 nationally ranked WR. Led the nation in INTs

HOWARD CROSS II-IDL/UND: I like interior linemen w/ a wrestling background and Cross has it. Cross in and undersized(6’1”/288) penetrating IDL.

MITCHELL EVANS-TE/UND: I like TEs who were former QBs and Mitch is that. Big  in-line TE (6’5”/260). Would be higher if not for the ACL tear last year. Has All scared us off?

[*Synric*]

(Yesterday, 04:04 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Best thing about the expanded bowl series is we get to see more elite prospects not skipping their Bowl game. Tonight (12/20/24) we are treated to IU v. ND. Some prospects to keep an eye on:

IU:
MIKAIL KAMARA-EDGE: The dude lives in the opponent’s backfield. Probably better suited for a 3-4 OLB, but maybe we’ll bring one of those in

CJ WEST- IDL: Pick run stuffing IDL who will be available late in the draft due to only 1-season at a “big” Program

ELIJAH SURRATT/WR: Solid built WR (6’2/215) with good hands and RAC skills. Also has KR skills

ND:
XAVIER WATTS/DB: One of my favorite players in the draft. Came out of HS as the #89 nationally ranked WR. Led the nation in INTs

HOWARD CROSS II-IDL/UND: I like interior linemen w/ a wrestling background and Cross has it. Cross in and undersized(6’1”/288) penetrating IDL.

MITCHELL EVANS-TE/UND: I like TEs who were former QBs and Mitch is that. Big  in-line TE (6’5”/260). Would be higher if not for the ACL tear last year. Has All scared us off?

Top 12 CFB teams will all get at least one more ranked matchup.


Notre Dame also has IDL Rylie Mills and LB Jack Kiser.

[pulses]

(Yesterday, 04:04 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Best thing about the expanded bowl series is we get to see more elite prospects not skipping their Bowl game. Tonight (12/20/24) we are treated to IU v. ND. Some prospects to keep an eye on:

IU:
MIKAIL KAMARA-EDGE: The dude lives in the opponent’s backfield. Probably better suited for a 3-4 OLB, but maybe we’ll bring one of those in

CJ WEST- IDL: Pick run stuffing IDL who will be available late in the draft due to only 1-season at a “big” Program

ELIJAH SURRATT/WR: Solid built WR (6’2/215) with good hands and RAC skills. Also has KR skills

ND:
XAVIER WATTS/DB: One of my favorite players in the draft. Came out of HS as the #89 nationally ranked WR. Led the nation in INTs

HOWARD CROSS II-IDL/UND: I like interior linemen w/ a wrestling background and Cross has it. Cross in and undersized(6’1”/288) penetrating IDL.

MITCHELL EVANS-TE/UND: I like TEs who were former QBs and Mitch is that. Big  in-line TE (6’5”/260). Would be higher if not for the ACL tear last year. Has All scared us off?

CJ West would be a nice pickup for us in the 5th round.

[SunsetBengal]

(Yesterday, 06:00 PM)pulses Wrote: CJ West would be a nice pickup for us in the 5th round.

It's a bit tough to label some players as "X" round right now, as their values will be fluid throughout the draft season. Senior Bowl gives many a short boost, testing at the combine gives several a short boost, etc.

[*ochocincos*]

(Yesterday, 04:04 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Best thing about the expanded bowl series is we get to see more elite prospects not skipping their Bowl game. Tonight (12/20/24) we are treated to IU v. ND. Some prospects to keep an eye on:

IU:
MIKAIL KAMARA-EDGE: The dude lives in the opponent’s backfield. Probably better suited for a 3-4 OLB, but maybe we’ll bring one of those in

CJ WEST- IDL: Pick run stuffing IDL who will be available late in the draft due to only 1-season at a “big” Program

ELIJAH SURRATT/WR: Solid built WR (6’2/215) with good hands and RAC skills. Also has KR skills

ND:
XAVIER WATTS/DB: One of my favorite players in the draft. Came out of HS as the #89 nationally ranked WR. Led the nation in INTs

HOWARD CROSS II-IDL/UND: I like interior linemen w/ a wrestling background and Cross has it. Cross in and undersized(6’1”/288) penetrating IDL.

MITCHELL EVANS-TE/UND: I like TEs who were former QBs and Mitch is that. Big  in-line TE (6’5”/260). Would be higher if not for the ACL tear last year. Has All scared us off?

Not only did Watts lead the NCAA in INTs in 2023 (7), he's tied for 3rd this year (5).
Dude has >10 INTs across two most recent seasons, showing he really a ball hawk.
Would love him as a Bengal.

[*bfine32*]

(Yesterday, 06:15 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Not only did Watts lead the NCAA in INTs in 2023 (7), he's tied for 3rd this year (5).
Dude has >10 INTs across two most recent seasons, showing he really a ball hawk.
Would love him as a Bengal.

Obviously his skill as a WR helps with the INTs. 

[*bfine32*]

(Yesterday, 05:34 PM)Synric Wrote: Top 12 CFB teams will all get at least one more ranked matchup.


Notre Dame also has IDL Rylie Mills and LB Jack Kiser.

..and he's someone I could see us lining up as DE from time to time. 

[*Synric*]

Indiana is just outclassed. The Irish's defensive front is ruining the Hoosier's offense.

[pulses]

(Yesterday, 06:08 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: It's a bit tough to label some players as "X" round right now, as their values will be fluid throughout the draft season. Senior Bowl gives many a short boost, testing at the combine gives several a short boost, etc.

Well currently I've saw him anywhere from 5-7 but you're right he can definitely move up.

[*bfine32*]

BIG DAY of Scouting today (10/21/24). We start out the day with PSU v. SMU,

SMU:

BRASHARD SMITH: In last year's draft I loved Tyrone Tracy and he's having a great rookie year. Smith brings the same skill-set. Dude had 69 reception for 770 as a WR before transferring to SMU and changing position

ELIJAH ROBERTS/DE: Another Miami transfer, Eli his a big-bodied (6'4/278) who did little at The U, but busted out w/ 15 sacks (10 in 23) upon arrival at SMU.

PSU:

TYLER WARREN/TE: If you asked me today who I'd want in the mid-teens TW would be my answer. A big TE (6'6"/257) with over 1,000 receiving yards.

ZANE DURAVT/DL: Of course Carter would be a dream, he'll be gone. If we were drafting on athletic ability alone ZD would go before AC, but we're not, That's why this versitle D-Lineman will be available in the later rounds, unless someone falls in love with him at the combine.

[*bfine32*]

(Today, 12:33 AM)Synric Wrote: Indiana is just outclassed. The Irish's defensive front is ruining the Hoosier's offense.

When these games were announced I loved that teams like IU and SMU made the cut, but as i was watching last night I couldn't help but think how much better would it have been to watch ND v. Ole Miss or PSU v. Bama today.