TCU's Hughes and Washington Headed to Senior Bowl

TCU defensive standouts Jerry Hughes and Daryl Washington have accepted invitations to the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

The game will be played Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. (CST) in Ladd-Peebles Stadium and be televised live on the NFL Network.

Jerry and Daryl are two very big reasons why the Horned Frogs lead the country in total defense, Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said. They are both excellent professional prospects and we look forward to watching them compete in front of the entire NFL here later this month.

Hughes is a two-time consensus All-American and the 2009 recipient of the Lott Trophy and Ted Hendricks Award. He has 15 tackles for loss, including 11 1/2 sacks, among a career-high 54 stops this season. Hughes topped the nation last year with 15 sacks and six forced fumbles.

Washington leads TCU with 99 tackles, the most stops by a Horned Frog since 2004 (Martin Patterson, 131). Washington was a Dick Butkus Award semifinalist. He has 7 1/2 tackles for loss and is tied for the TCU lead with three interceptions.

A signature play for Washington was catching Clemson's C.J. Spiller from behind to make a touchdown-saving tackle in TCU's 14-10 win in Death Valley.

Photo Courtesy of TCU Athletics Media Relations

Draft Watch: Sugar Bowl

Here are the following players to keep your eye for the 2010 NFL Draft in the SUGAR BOWL.

Cincinnati Bearcats:

QB Tony Pike - Pike is a pocket passer, who needs to get stronger, but could end up being a starting quarterback in the NFL. Right now he has a 2nd round grade.

WR Mardy Gilyard – Gilyard is a physical big play receiver who lacks great straight line speed, but seems to make plays whenever he gets his hands on the ball. Right now has a 2nd round grade.

DE Alex Daniels – Daniels should play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive, he has good size at 6'3" and 259 pounds and is a good overall athlete who can rush the passer. Right now has a 6th round grade.

Florida Gators:

QB Tim Tebow - Tebow is one of the best college football players of all time, but NFL teams have mixed reviews on his skills for the next level. His grade right now is a 2nd round grade.

WR Riley Cooper - Cooper is a solid all-around football player and will make a good third or fourth receiver at the next level. His grade right now is a 5th round grade.

TE Aaron Hernandez (JR) - Hernandez is a very good receiving tight end, but needs to improve his blocking. Most likely will declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. His grade right now is a 2nd round grade.

C Maurkice Pouncey (JR) - Pouncey is an impressive athlete with good strength and the ability to the next level with his blocks. His grade right now is a 2nd round grade.

OG Michael Pouncey (JR) - Pouncey isn’t the athlete that his bother Maurkice is, but is still a very good offensive linemen. His grade right now is a 4th round grade.

CB Joe Haden (JR) - Haden most likely will declare and be the first cornerback drafted in the 2010 NFL Draft. He has very good ball skills and is a willing tackler. His grade right now is a 1st round grade.

DE Carlos Dunlap (JR) - Because of a DUI ticket he received he not play in the SEC Championship game. Dunlap has all the physical tools to be a great defensive end in the NFL, but just needs to be more consistent. His grade right now is a 1st round grade.

DE Jermaine Cunningham - Cunningham is a good pass rusher and is a good overall athlete which some think that he could be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. His grade right now is a 3rd round grade.

LB Brandon Spikes - Spikes is a very good tackler and has the ability to make plays all over the field. His grade right now is a 1st round grade.

S Ahmad Black (JR) - Black does a very good job of supporting the run and there is some thought that he will declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. He doesn’t have great size but is a productive player. His grade right now is a 4th round grade.

S Major Wright (JR) - Wright is a very good free safety and has the ability to play the run as well as cover a receiver man to man. His grade right now is a 4th round grade.

For more NFL, NFL Draft news, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jvanfulpen

Photo Courtesy of Dennis Hubbard, College Press Box

Rose Bowl: Draft Watch

Here are the following players to keep your eye for the 2010 NFL Draft in the ROSE BOWL.

Oregon Ducks:

TE Ed Dickson - Dickson is a big receiving tight end at 6'5" and 243 pounds. The Duck has good hands and is a talented overall athlete. He needs to working on his blocking ability to become more of a complete tight end, but he possesses the potential to do that as he matures. He has a 2nd round grade.

RB LeGarrette Blount – Blount was (temporarily) kicked off the team because of his actions in Oregon's first game this season and it is unclear how much he will play. In his junior season he averaged 7.3 yards a carry and had 17 rushing touchdowns. He is a big back at 6'2" and 240 pounds, with good enough speed. Blount has better straight ahead speed, but needs to work on his quickness, so he can get in and out of holes at the next level. He isn’t a complete running back yet, and he needs to work on catching the ball. Because of his actions, he has a 6th round grade.

S T.J. Ward - Ward has only played in 7 games this season so far because of injuries. He has decent size at 5'11" and 208 pounds and is a good overall athlete. He has the ability to cover and played some cornerback earlier in his career. His ability to cover the slot in the nickel like a cornerback increases his value. He has a 4th round grade.

DT Blake Ferras, Oregon - Ferras has great size at 6'6" and 290 pounds. The interior linemen is a hard worker and a physical presence on the defensive line. He has a free-agent grade right now.

Ohio State Buckeyes:

TE Jake Ballard – Ballard is a 6'6" and 256 pound blocking tight end that has a free-agent grade.

C Jim Cordle – Cordle is a good all around football player who is smart and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He isn’t a great athlete, which is why he a likely candidate to be a priority free-agent.

DE Doug Worthington - Worthington is over shadowed by both Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson but he is a good football player that can make plays. He is 6'5" and 276 pounds with the ability to play defensive end or tackle in either the 3-4 or 4-3 defense. Right now has a 6th round grade.

DE Cameron Heyward (JR) – Heyward is a dominating defensive linemen that can play end and also tackle and there are thought that he will declare early. Right now if he does declare he could be a 1st round pick.

DE Thaddeus Gibson (JR) – Gibson plays defensive end, but many think he will play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense because he is a very good pass rusher. He could come out early, but might want to return for his senior season to improve his stock. He has a 3rd round grade if he does declare for the 2010 NFL Draft.

CB Chimdi Chekwa (JR) – Chekwa is thinking about declaring early, but should come back to work on his game. He is a good athlete, but needs to become a better overall football player. If he does declare would be a 3rd round pick.

S Kurt Coleman – Coleman is a solid football player who is a sound tackler who can cover as well. He is on the short side for a safety but is a playmaker in the secondary. Right now he has a 4th round grade.

S Jermale Hines (JR) – Hines has come on this season and there are thoughts that he will declare early. He should stay for his senior season and get more experience.

For more NFL, NFL Draft news, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jvanfulpen

Photos Courtesy of John Giustina/Oregon, The Ohio State Department of Athletics

Capital Bowl: NFL Draft Watch

Here are the following players to keep your eye for the 2010 NFL Draft in the CAPITAL ONE BOWL.

LSU Tigers:

WR Brandon LaFell – LaFell is a tall wide receiver who is a good overall athlete and runs crisp routes. The question is, can he be a number one wide receiver in the NFL? Right now he has a late 1st round grade.

WR Terrance Toliver (JR) – Toliver is a junior, but there has been talk about him declaring early for the 2010 NFL Draft. He's a 6'4" and 206-pound big play receiver who many think is a better pro prospect the his more highly-touted teammate LaFell, because he has more potential in terms of being a true number one receiver.

OT Ciron Black – Black came into the season rated as one of the top offensive tackle prospects, but has fell down the ranks because of his lack of consistency. There is some thinking that he might have to play offensive guard at the next level and he has a 3rd round grade as of now.

DE Rahim Alem – Alem is a good overall defensive end and shows ability to playing the run as well as rushing the passer. Right now has a 4th round grade.

LB Perry Riley – Riley is a solid overall linebacker and in the NFL should be a top notch special team’s player. He can play the run, but needs to show more consistency in pass coverage. Right now has a 5th round grade.

S Harry Coleman – Coleman has played linebacker this season, but will play safety in the NFL. He is a good tackler and at his best against the run. The Bayou Bengal also does a good job in zone coverage when matched up with tight ends and running backs. Right now has a 4th round grade.

S Chad Jones (JR) - Jones is an outstanding athlete who also plays baseball for LSU and does a good job as a return man. There is some talk that he will declare early for the 2010 draft and if does, Jones should be a 2nd round pick.

Penn State Nittany Lions:

QB Daryll Clark – Clark is a good athlete for a quarterback and has a strong arm, but needs to be able to show more consistency in his decision making ability. He has the potential to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but will be a project type player. Right now has a 6th round grade.

RB Evan Royster (JR) – Royster has shown the ability to be a very good runner inside, as well as outside. He is also capable of catching the football out of the back field. Most people think he will leave early and could be a 2nd round pick if he does declare.

TE Andrew Quarless – Quarless is an impressive athlete and a well rounded tight end that has good size at 6'5" and 248 pounds. He is a solid receiver and sound blocker, with the potential to move up NFL team’s draft board. Right now has a 5th round grade.

TE Mickey Shuler – Schuler has similar size as teammate tight end Andrew Quarless but isn’t as good as an athlete or receiver and that is why he has a free-agent grade right now.

DT Jared Odrick – Odrick has come on this season to be a dominating defensive linemen and done a good job rushing the passer and playing the run. Right now he has a 1st round grade in the 2010 NFL Draft.

OLB Navorro Bowman (JR) – Bowman is a junior and many people expect him to declare early for the 2010 NFL Draft. He is a physical outside linebacker who can also cover running backs and tight ends in the passing games. If he does declare could be a 2nd round pick.

LB Josh Hull - Hull is the underrated linebacker in the group, but just a good overall football player and linebacker. Right now he has 5th round grade.

LB Sean Lee – Lee missed the whole season last year because of a knee injury and has missed a few games this season because of an injury. He has shown the ability to be a dominating linebacker in the past and we have seen some flashes this season. If all the tests come out positive on his knee could end up being as high as a 2nd round pick.

For more NFL, NFL Draft news, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jvanfulpen

Photo Courtesy of SEC Sports Media, Mark Selders/Penn State Athletic Communications

Gator Bowl: NFL Draft Watch

Here are the following players to keep your eye for the 2010 NFL Draft in the GATOR BOWL.

Florida State Seminoles:

LB Dekoda Watson – Watson is a athletic outside linebacker who has shown the ability to make plays in both the running game, as well as covering tight ends and running backs alike. He is a weakside linebacker in a 4-3 defense and right now has a 3rd round grade.

CB Patrick Robinson – Robinson has all the physical skills to be a top notch cornerback, but this season hasn’t made the plays you would expect him to. He has a 2nd round grade right now and he has the ability to be a boom or bust type pick.

West Virginia Mountaineers:

QB Jarrett Brown – Brown has just started one season but has shown the ability to be a top notch quarterback prospect. He is a very good athlete with a strong arm and has the ability to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Right now has a 3rd round pick.

WR Alric Arnett – Arnett has good size at 6'2" and 190 pounds. The Mountaineer is a good overall receiver who has shown that he has the ability to run good routes, to complement his good hands. Right now he has a 5th round grade.

OT Selvish Capers – Capers is a very good offensive tackle with quick feet. He's a very impressive athlete for an offensive tackle, and should be able to play on the left and protect the quarterback's backside in the NFL. Right now he has 2nd round grade.

ILB Reed Williams – Williams came back from double-shoulder surgery to be a big time player this season for the Mountaineers. He is a good run defender but lacks great skills in the passing game. Right now has 7th round grade.

For more NFL, NFL Draft news, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jvanfulpen

Photo Courtesy of FSU Sports Information