College Bowl Preview: Sun Bowl

Sun Bowl

December 31, El Paso, Texas

Stanford (8-4) vs. Oklahoma (7-5)

CBS, 1 p.m. CST

STANFORD

#7 RB Toby Gerhart, 6-1, 235 pounds – A first-team All-America selection, Gerhart became a sensation in the ‘09 season and has put himself into the first round of the NFL Draft. He has said he’ll make his decision after the bowl game, but there really isn’t much of a decision for him to make because his status in the draft will be high. He ran for 1,736 yards and 26 touchdowns this season, with 10 games over 100 yards and three games over 200 yards. Over his 37-game career, he’s rushed 630 times for 3,387 yards and 42 rushing TDs. He’s caught 38 passes for 387 yards. Gerhart had 19 games where he rushed for 100 yards or more. He suffered a season ending knee injury in 2007. Gerhart is also a top notch baseball player, working the outfield for the Stanford squad.

Evaluation – The only thing missing from his resume is top-end speed, but that’s going to cost him some draft slots, probably dropping him into the early second round. But the team that grabs him will get quite a player. He’s tough and is the type of runner who always falls forward and it always takes more than one tackler to bring him down. Gerhart is excellent in short-yardage situations, because he runs low and has a powerful lower body. Not elusive in any way and he’s only so-so in catching the ball.

#63 OT Chris Marinelli, 6-7, 305 pounds – He’s played in 45 games for Stanford, missing only two during his career there. He’s played both inside at guard and outside at both left and right tackle. Marinelli had a shoulder injury in 2008 that cost him a game. Most of his time has been spent at right tackle, but he has several starting assignments at left tackle and at least one at right guard.

Evaluation – Good on his feet, Marinelli is more finesse than he is a mauler-type. Scouts like the fact that he’s a knee-bender. He needs some schooling as to blocking schemes and technique, but he’s got the physical tools to have a career in the league, more than likely at right tackle. He’s viewed as a fifth or sixth-round prospect.

Others to watch – #9 CB Richard Sherman, 6-2, 190 pounds. Played both ways, catching 81 passes for 1,340 yards and seven touchdowns through his junior season when an injury ended his season. Came back and moved to the corner, where he had two interceptions, including one returned for a TD. He also handled 14 punts, averaging more than 10 yards a return with a TD as well. #83 TE Jim Dray, 6-5, 255 pounds. In 38 games, Dray caught 40 passes for 438 yards and seven TDs. In the ‘09 season he caught 10 passes for 132 yards and three TDs.

OKLAHOMA

#93 DT Gerald McCoy, 6-4, 300 pounds – He has already announced that he’s going to bypass his last year in Norman to enter the NFL Draft. McCoy was good enough to consider the same option, but decided to remain for one more year with the Sooners. In 39 games, he has 80 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. He’s forced a pair of fumbles and also has an interception. The Oklahoma native had 31 tackles and five sacks during the ‘09 season.

Evaluation – Big, strong, powerful, mean, McCoy is everything that anybody would want in a defensive tackle. What sets him apart is his quickness, which is exceptional. He’s show great anticipation of the snap, which can get him in trouble sometimes with jumping offsides. He Is advanced in the use of his hands and he stays low and used leverage. McCoy Will play with nagging injuries and is considered a team leader. Baring anything unusual between now and the 2010 NFL Draft, his name should be called within the first five choices.

#71 OT Trent Williams, 6-5, 318 pounds – A first-team All-America selection at left tackle, Williams may play center in the Sun Bowl due to injuries along the Sooners offensive line. He has that type of athletic ability. He’s been a starter for three seasons, but missed OU’s last game against OK-State because of the after effects of a concussion. Handles the left tackle duties quite well and has gotten better each season.

Evaluation – Williams is considered one of the top prospects in this year’s draft, but there are some scouts who do not think he’s a top five pick. Over this season he’s shown problems handling quick, inside rushers and he’s got a mean streak that some coaches love, but translates into too many penalties. Williams will be selected in the first round, but how high will depend on what he shows the teams in the Combine, personal interviews and the workouts.

#18 TE Jermaine Gresham, 6-6, 258 pounds – His season ended with cartilage damage to his right knee back in late August and even though he had the opportunity to take a medical red-shirt season, Gresham decided to enter the NFL Draft. As a junior, he showed his talents catching 66 passes for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Evaluation – Gresham considered coming out for the 2009 Draft, but like other members of the Sooners – Sam Bradford, Gerald McCoy – he decided to return for another year in Norman. He’s a big, athletic, talented tight end, who can get down the field in the passing game and provide some good blocking in the running game. If Gresham shows teams that his knee is sound at the Combine and in workouts, he will be a first-round pick.

#2 CB Brian Jackson, 6-1, 200 pounds – The Texas native has had a good senior season on top of an excellent junior year. In ‘08 he had 72 tackles, four interceptions and three recovered fumbles. This year, he’s led the team with four interceptions, but his numbers at tackle fell to 47 on the season. He also forced a fumble and returned a fumble 52 yards. In 45 games in Norman, he’s had seven interceptions, along with 137 total tackles, three forced fumbles and he’s not missed a game in three seasons.

Evaluation – Physical player on the edge who can play man-to-man coverage, while being big enough to battle for balls with taller receivers. Jackson’s skills also make him a threat to blitz off the corner. He has spent a lot of time on special teams as well, and that will only help him when NFL teams start breaking down his game. Some scouts are really impressed with Jackson and view him as an ascending player and a possible second-round choice. Others see holes in his game and peg him on the fifth-round level. Strong pre-draft sessions will decide if he’s a two or a five.

Others to watch – #29 RB Chris Brown, 5-11, 200 pounds – In 44 games he rushed for 2,877 yards on 615 carries with an amazing 42 TD runs. He also caught three TD passes. Brown knows how to find the end zone.#33DE Auston English, 6-3, 252 pounds – In his 34 games in Norman, he contributed 91 total tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks. He had nine tackles and a sack against Kansas. #4 ILB Ryan Reynolds, 6-1, 225 pounds - He finished with 174 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in his 38 games with the Sooners. Reynolds also had two interceptions. QB Sam Bradford will not play in the Sun Bowl but has said he plans to enter the 2010 NFL Draft