Music City Bowl: Prospect Watch

By Justin Van Fulpen

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

Clemson Tigers:

RB C.J. Spiller – Spiller is all around offensive threat; running, receiving and returning. That versatility should make him a high 1st round pick.

WR Jacoby Ford – A small, quick receiver who should do very good working the slot in the NFL. Ford could go as high as the 2nd round but most observers believe he will go in the 3rd-4th round range. Could be the fastest wide out in the 2010 Class.

OG Thomas Austin – Austin has shown very good ability as a run blocker and is a decent athlete; he should end up being a 7th round pick.

DE/OLB Ricky Sapp – Sapp is the type of player that 3-4 defensive teams crave as an outside linebacker. The strength of his game is his ability to be a pass rusher, which bodes well for him because there is a high demand in the NFL for players that can get to the quarterback. He could go as high as the 1st round.

OLB Kavell Conner – Conner is an all around outside linebacker that can not only play the run but can also adapt to pass coverage, as he is an above average cover man. He currently holds a 6th round grade.

CB Chris Chancellor – Chancellor is a player who is moving up on many draft boards and could use this game, as well as an all-star game to help push his stock up higher. Right now he has a 6th round projection.

CB Crezdon Butler – Butler has shown flashes of ability but needs to be more consistent, right now he is considered to be a free-agent type.

Kentucky Wildcats:

DT Corey Peters – Peters has gotten better every year at Kentucky and is a true 4-3 defensive tackle who is a good athlete who can make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. Right now is likely a 3rd round pick.

ILB Micah Johnson – Johnson is a two-down linebacker who likes to play down hill and can make plays against the run but will have to come off the field in passing downs. Currently, he is a 4th round pick. With his size, he should fit in nicely in a 3-4 scheme.

CB Trevard Lindley – Lindley is an athletic cover cornerback, who will come up and tackle but needs to get bigger and stronger to be a complete corner in the NFL. However, he does posses a lot of skills and should be a 2nd round pick.

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

Photos Courtesy of Dennis Hubbard & SEC Sports Media

Music City Bowl: Boston College vs. Vanderbilt

By JOHN GARRETT

December 31 * 3:30 PM * ESPN

The possibility of a low-scoring game looks high as these two solid defenses go head-to-head in Nashville, Tennessee with defensive stars D.J. Moore of Vanderbilt and Mark Herzlich of BC leading the way. Vanderbilt is making its first trip to a bowl in 26 years, although the trip will not be very far. The Commodores lost six of their last seven games and hope to prove that starting 5-0 wasn’t a fluke. Their offense has been the problem down the stretch, with Chris Nickson and Mackenzi Adams splitting time at the quarterback position. Vanderbilt’s defensive line, which tied for third in the SEC with 30 sacks, should also play a huge role in trying to nullify the Eagle running game, putting the pressure on freshman quarterback Dominique Davis. Boston College also has a very good defense, which ranked 6th overall, allowing just 273.4 yards per game. The Eagles will be looking to get back on track after losing the ACC championship game and the defense will hope to capitalize on the Commodores’ passing inefficiency – they ranked last in the SEC. Giving Davis time to make reads and establishing a ground game should be a priority, and should be possible with an offensive line that allowed just 16 sacks – tops in the ACC.

Inside the Numbers
Pass, Run & Catch

Boston College Eagles (9-4, 5-3)
Pass: Dominique Davis – 551 yards, 4 TDs
Run: Montel Harris – 832 yards, 5 TDs
Catch: Brandon Robinson – 39-606-3 TDs

Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6, 4-4)
Pass: Mackenzi Adams – 882 yards, 5 TDs
Run: Jared Hawkins – 580 yards, 4 TDs
Catch: Sean Walker – 34-452-3 TDs\

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Boston College)