College Bowl Preview: 1/1 Early Games

Outback Bowl

January 1, Tampa

Auburn (7-5) vs. Northwestern (8-4)

ESPN, 10 a.m. CST

 

AUBURN
#52 OLB Antonio Coleman, 6-1, 252 pounds – The Mobile, Alabama native has been very productive over his three seasons of action. Coleman was twice named first-team All-SEC. Coleman pulled down 23.5 sacks over his career; that’s third on Auburn’s all-time list. This season, he played the early part of the schedule with a cast on his right hand to protect a partially torn tendon in his wrist. Still he started all 12 games and had 45 total tackles, an interception that he returned for a touchdown, a block kick, a forced fumble and he recovered a fumble. Over 49 games, he had 146 total tackles, 23.5 sacks, 45.5 tackles for loss, one interception that he returned 20 yards for a TD and one fumble return of 34 yards for a score. Coleman has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl.

Evaluation – Smallish college DE who will move to outside LB in the pros. Very instinctive pass rusher, who has the power and quickness to knock back an OT on his first step. Sometimes plays out of control and gets sucked out of position against the run. Coleman has all the skills to be a speed rusher off the edge in the NFL. He’s viewed as a second or third-round choice.

#44 RB Ben Tate, 5-11, 213 pounds – He came out of Maryland as that state’s all-time leading rusher for a career (5,920 yards) and season (2,866 yards). At Auburn, he’s had his ups and downs, but some of that may not have been his fault as much as constant change in the program. Tate will always be remembered for his performance at the end of the Florida game during his sophomore season, when he carried the ball seven of 10 plays to set up the game winning FG in Auburn’s upset of the Gators. Tate ran for 1,254 yards in the ‘09 season so far, on 243 carries with eight TD runs. Over his career he’s played in 46 games with 3,214 yards rushing on 658 carries and 22 touchdowns. He caught 53 passes for 336 yards. He will play in the Senior Bowl.

Evaluation – Through his career with Auburn, he was exposed to various offensive systems as the Tigers kept changing direction. Tate has good size and his speed is above average. He’s been a durable back, despite running in a lower the shoulder, tough style. He’s had some problems with fumbling and that has to be corrected. Tate is a fourth or fifth-round talent.

#6 CB Walter McFadden, 5-10, 172 pounds –He was named to the All-SEC second team in ‘09 for his four interceptions, including one that he returned 29 yards for a score in The Tigers upset of Ole Miss. Over 46 games with the Tigers McFadden had seven interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns, along with 78 total tackles. His brother Bryant McFadden is already in the NFL.

Evaluation – While there are questions about his size on the corner, but no questions about his athletic ability to cover receivers. McFadden has top-end speed and can make up for earlier mistakes. He’s seen by most scouts as a sixth-round choice.

NORTHWESTERN

#99 DE Corey Wootton, 6-6, 272 pounds – A three-year starter for the Wildcats, he was a first-team All-Big 10 player even as a junior. He has had to deal with injuries, including a neck injury in ‘05 that ended his season and he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during last year’s Alamo Bowl. He was voted the team’s MVP award in 2008. Wootton played in 52 games and had 155 total tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Evaluation – Instinctive player who has shown the ability to diagnose plays and then get to the point of attack quickly and in ill humor. He’s got a strong motor, and very rarely gives up on a play. His hand placement and action are advanced for someone coming out of the college ranks. Wootton is second-round material.

Capital One Bowl

January 1, Orlando

LSU (9-3) vs. Penn State (10-2)

ABC, Noon CST

 LSU

#1 WR Brandon LaFell, 6-3, 207 pounds – The Houston product has fallen in a long line of LSU receivers who have drawn the attention of the NFL. He comes into the bowl game with a string of 40 straight games with a catch. This season he caught 52 passes for 705 yards and 10 touchdowns. Over his career, LaFell caught 170 passes for 2,430 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also carried the ball seven times for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Evaluation – Physically, there’s little wrong with this LSU product. He’s essentially a younger version of Dwayne Bowe. Like Bowe, he’s a physical guy on the catch or blocking for the run. And like Bowe, he’s had problems with drops in the past and his route running leaves something to be desired. LaFell needs some good coaching and should it come, he has the chance to make a splash in the league. He’s viewed by most as a late first-round or early second-round selection.

#3 S Chad Jones, 6-2, 225 pounds – A junior free safety, Jones has a lot of options available to him because of his ability in both football and baseball. He was part of the Tigers national championship football team in 2007 and LSU’s baseball champions in 2009. He worked as a reliever for LSU in the College World Series. Playing in 39 football games, Jones had five interceptions, 31 punt returns for an average of 10 yards per return with a TD, 149 total tackles and three forced fumbles.

Evaluation – Think a more physically gifted Jarrad Page when pondering Jones and his future in the NFL – if that’s where he decides to go. Jones can deliver a blow and he can play centerfield in pass coverage. He’s got nice size for safety, and has the build and strength to play deep, or play close to the line of scrimmage. Scouts view him as a fifth or sixth-round prospect.

#97 DT Al Woods, 6-3, 312 pounds – He came out of Elton, Louisiana as a Parade Magazine All-America on the high school level and immediately as a true freshman got time on the Tigers defensive line next to the likes of Glenn Dorsey. Woods ended up playing 40 games for the Tigers, losing some playing time in three of his four seasons due to injuries. He had 70 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. This season, he had 30 tackles and one sack.

Evaluation – Woods has the physical numbers in size, weight and speed to be a contributing defender in the NFL, but he wasn’t very productive during his time at LSU. If he has a big bowl performance against Penn State and then follows it up at the Combine and individual workouts he could elevate himself into the fourth or fifth round.

PENN STATE

#11 OLB Navorro Bowman, 6-1, 231 pounds – A junior with eligibility left, Bowman is making sounds about entering the NFL Draft. This season, Bowman had 84 total tackles 15.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions, including one that he returned 73 yards for a touchdown against Indiana. He also returned a fumble 91 yards for a score against Eastern Illinois. In 33 games in the Happy Valley, Bowman has 206 total tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. He’s missed a few games over the years with ankle and groin injuries. Bowman also pleaded guilty to charges involved with an off-campus fight during the fall of ‘07. He was placed on probation and then violated the terms and was sentenced to more probation and community service

Evaluation – On the smallish side for an outside defender, but he makes up for his lack of bulk with very good speed. Bowman always seems to put himself in a position to make the play. The key for him is his speed and quickness as he can go from sideline-to-sideline. He’s very good in pass coverage and moves well in space. Bowman is not very advanced as a pass rusher. He’s a top-half of the first-round selection.

#91 DT Jared Odrick, 6-4, 306 pounds – Over his 43-game career, Odrick has been very active in the Nittany Lions defense. He has 102 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. He also blocked two kicks. This season, Odrick had 41 total tackles and six sacks. He’s had some injury problems, but played through most of them. He broke his left hand in ‘07 and came back to play the next week. He a dislocated an ankle in ‘07 as well that cost him the final four games of the season.

Evaluation – He has a big frame with good weight and he has above average speed so he can make things happen. Odrick has a quick first step going north and south; not so much going laterally. His overall speed is not game changing. He has a very good chance to be drafted late in the first round or early in the second round.

#45 ILB Sean Lee, 6-2, 238 pounds – At Linebacker U., Lee has been a productive player. In 43 games, he had 308 total tackles, with 29 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He’s forced four fumbles and also had three interceptions. A torn ACL in his right knee during spring practice in ‘08 ended up costing him the entire season. A team leader with good grades and honors off the field, Penn State was 50-13, won two conference championships and went to five bowl games in his five years with the team.

Evaluation – When it comes to intangibles, Lee has so many positives they are tangible. He’s intelligent earning dean’s list recognition in the classroom. He also has outstanding football smarts. He’s disciplined in carrying out his assignments. He sometimes struggles in the open field and is not always fluid in his movements. Lee should be a second-round selection for anybody searching for a good tough inside linebacker type.