12/18 Bowl Game - NFL Draft Prospects to Watch

UAB

#57 Justice Powers – OT - 6’3/295

JUCO transfer. Two year starter at RT, first team All Conference USA. Will be shifted inside at the next level. Packs a punch and will play hard through the whistle. Has a lot of want-to in his game, which I always like. Needs some work on his pass blocking footwork but the athletic ability is there.

#47 Anthony Rush – DT – 6’5/350

JUCO transfer. Second Team All Conference USA. Mountain of a man that carries weight pretty well but could lose some on top. Has more mobility than you would suspect. This guy is going to get drafted because there simply aren’t many, if any, guys this size that can actually make plays. Even though the overall demand for pure run stuffers has gone down, every time wants at least one.

#99 Jamell Garcia-Williams – DE 6’8/255

JUCO transfer. One of the more intriguing names of the entire pre-draft process. The tools are attractive when looking at his height/weight/length/speed. But he showed notable improvement from a skill set perspective in 2018. He finished with 15.5 TFL and 9.5 sacks. I was impressed with the handwork he showed. If he can grow in to his frame just a little more, develop some lower body power and rush moves, this kid has starting edge defender written all over him.



Other Notables:

#7 Xavier Ubosi – WR – 6’3/215
#71 Rishard Cook – OG – 6’3/320
#51 James Davis – OT – 6’3/305
#58 Malique Johnson – OG – 6’3/320
#97 Stacy Keely – DE – 6’7/250
#22 Broderick Thomas – S – 6’1/200



NORTHERN ILLINOIS

#73 Max Scharping – OT – 6’’6/315

Fifth year senior. Has been a major hit for the program since he was put in the lineup. I want to see how he measures out, but Scharping has a chance at being a first rounder. Possibly even a top 15 guy. His body control, balance, and hand placement are as consistent as it gets. There are some strength and power deficiencies that I see week to week, but give me the other stuff first when it comes to drafting a left tackle. The strength can be gained.

*#15 Sutton Smith – OLB – 6’1/237

Fourth year junior. Has not yet declared but I am very interested to see if he does. On one hand, the kid’s production is second to none over the past two seasons. 54 TFL and 29 sacks. On the other hand, he doesn’t have the ideal NFL body for the edge, not even close. And he did a lot of damage against lesser competition in a role that is designed to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. However he did play exceptionally well against Power 5 schools. I’m not sure his outlook would be any higher next year than it is now, so I do think he will come out. If so, he will be one of the most debated prospects in the class.

Other Notables:

#12 Josh Corcoran – DE – 6’3/251