Non-playoff NFL Draft prospects to watch throughout bowl season
The college football bowl season helps to spotlight a number of players across the country, so people can get an early preview of talent they’ll be seeing on Sundays. The 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl is less than two months away, but before that, players will get one more chance to shine on the college level over the next few weeks.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter recently listed his Top 10 Senior Bowl prospects in the non-playoff bowl games. Keep in mind some of these players might choose to opt out heading into the NFL Draft process, but none have announced to opt out as of 11 AM EST on Dec. 17.
10. Bernard Raimann, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan (6-foot-7, 305 pounds)
Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl vs. Boise State
Dec. 31, 2:00 PM EST
Raimann impressed Reuter over the summer because of his “size, athleticism, and willingness to finish his blocks.” Boise State has some pretty talented pass rushers that will test his skills, so Reuter is excited about the matchup. If he can push his draft stock into the first round, he’ll be the third Central Michigan offensive tackle drafted in the first round since 2007. (Joe Staley–2007, Eric Fisher–2013) He has already accepted an invite to the 2022 Senior Bowl.
9. Logan Hall, Defensive Line, Houston (6-foot-6, 275 pounds)
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl vs. Auburn
Dec. 28, 12 PM EST
Reuter’s summary on Hall’s skill set: “Hall has played inside for most of the 2021 season, using his length to push back interior linemen and winning with a quick arm-over move to knife into the backfield.” He’s really excited to watch the matchup of Hall vs. the very stout Auburn offensive line and to see whether or not he can win double teams. Hall has accepted an invite to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
8. Daniel Faalele, Offensive Tackle, Minnesota (6-foot-9, 380 pounds)
Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. West Virginia
Dec. 28, 10:15 PM EST
West Virginia has only averaged two sacks per season and it’s going to be tough to do anything against Faalele. Scouts will be excited to watch him in this game, since he hasn’t faced elite pass rushers this year. Reuter said if the Mountaineers can’t challenge him, then perhaps “teammate and potential top-100 pick Boye Mafe will do so during Senior Bowl practices.”
7. Damone Clark, Linebacker, LSU, (6-foot-3, 240 pounds)
TaxAct Texas Bowl vs. Kansas State
Jan. 4, 9 PM EST
Reuter’s best line in his report on Clark is: “Clark ranks among the nation’s leaders in tackles, but he’ll need to use all his speed and experience to track down Kansas State’s talented sophomore running back Deuce Vaughn.” Coaches in the NFL look for speed, intelligence, and aggressiveness at linebacker and Clark has all three of the above. Clark has accepted an invite to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
6. Darrian Kinnard, Offensive Tackle, Kentucky (6-foot-5, 345 pounds)
Vrbo Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa
Jan. 1, 1 PM EST
Kentucky has three potential top 100 overall picks in Kinnard, center Luke Fortner, and defensive end Josh Pascal. Reuter is excited about the matchup between Kinnard and Iowa defensive end Zach VanValkenburg–a potential top 100 prospect as well. Kinnard has officially accepted an invite to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
5. Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State (6-foot-1, 188 pounds)
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One Venture X vs. Utah
Jan. 1, 5 PM EST
Olave’s been one of the smoothest route runners and one of the best receivers in college football over the past few seasons. In Reuter’s words: “Olave’s smooth routes and fine footwork on the sideline have caught scouts’ eyes for four years.” It’ll be interesting to see how strong of a showing he can have against a solid Utah secondary. Olave has not accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl.
4. Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver, Penn State (5-foot-11, 184 pounds)
Outback Bowl vs. Arkansas
Jan. 1, 12 PM EST
Dotson and fellow teammates Jaquan Brisker (safety), Arnold Ebiketie (edge), and Tariq Castro-Fields, have all accepted Senior Bowl invites as “likely top-100 draft” selections, according to Reuter. In his last game against Michigan State, Dotson hauled in eight catches for 137 receiving yards.
3. Zion Johnson, Offensive Guard, Boston College (6-foot-3, 316 pounds)
Military Bowl Presented by Peraton vs. East Carolina
Dec. 27, 2:30 PM EST
Johnson will be lining up against a ECU team that ranks in the lower half of the FBS in rush defense. Reuter calls him “among the top five O-linemen in the draft class.” He’s accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl.
2. Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty (6-foot-1, 225 pounds)
LendingTree Bowl vs. Eastern Michigan
Dec. 18, 5:45 PM EST
Willis has been one of the most exciting and electrifying prospects in college football the past few seasons for the Liberty Flames. He’s got some things he’ll have to prove to scouts, according to Reuter, as he’s thrown 12 interceptions in his last seven games. The talented dual-threat quarterback has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl.
- Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah (6-foot-3, 235 pounds)
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One Venture X vs. Ohio State
Jan. 1, 5 PM EST
In Reuter’s words, “Lloyd really has nothing to prove in the Utes game against Ohio State, as far as NFL scouts are concerned.” Lloyd firmly established himself as one of the premiere linebackers in all of college football with his mind-blowing stats the past two seasons. In 2021, he racked up 106 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four interceptions, and six pass breakups. He was also named a Butkus Award finalist, given to the nation’s top linebacker, in back-to-back seasons.
It should be another epic bowl season for all the college football die-hards out there.