Bowl Game Pro Prospect Watch: Beef O' Brady's Bowl
Louisville running back Bilal Powell heads the list of potential NFL players on display in tonight's college bowl game.
One of the best parts of the college football bowl season is watching the guys who are going to play on Sundays in the very near future.
Here at Cheesehead TV, we're attempting to list all the senior pro prospects (even the longshots) and a couple very highly rated junior ones as well, as a de facto viewing guide.
Beef O' Brady's Bowl–Tuesday Dec. 21, 7 p.m. on ESPN
Louisville
- Running back Bilal Powell–I love Bilal Powell. He exploded onto the scene in 2010 by rushing for 1,330 yards, averaged 6.3 yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns (three receiving). He's a powerful runner with some explosiveness. He's powerful enough to bust through the line of scrimmage and just fast and shifty enough to have success at the second and third levels. He seems, to me, to be the perfect fit for the Packers offense. He's ranked 10th among running backs in this year's draft class by NFL Draft Scout, but because he was a late bloomer, he could shoot up draft charts in the coming months.
- Cornerback Johnny Patrick–One of the best match-ups to watch this evening will be Patrick against former blue chip recruit DeAndre Brown of Southern Miss, a 6-6 stud of a receiver. Patrick is the 6th ranked cornerback in this year's draft class by NFL Draft Scout, which probably makes him a second-day draft choice going in either the second or third round.
- Tight end Cameron Graham–Ranked as the no. 13 overall senior tight end by Mocking the Draft, Graham will be a late round draft choice, if he's drafted at all. But he had a solid senior season in which he earned fist-team All-Big East by the coaches, so he'll look to build on that success.
- Guard Mark Wetterer–At 6-5, 306, Wetterer has a good frame. He helped open up holes for Powell and earned first-team All-Conference honors this season as well. He's ranked as the 25th overall guard in this year's draft class by NFL Draft Scout.
- Tackle Byron Stingily–Stingily wasn't on many preseason all-conference teams, so that he made the postseason first-team came as a bit of a surprise. Because he was late to arrive on the scene, he isn't on many people's radar.
- Tackle Jeff Adams–Adams is ranked as the 21st ranked senior tackle by Mocking the Draft but played in only five games this year.
- Wide receiver Doug Beaumont–At 5-9, 183 pounds, Beaumont is undersized. But he was a first-team all-conference punt returner by Phil Steele, increasing his value.
Southern Miss
- Defensive tackle Anthony Gray–Gray is probably the best senior prospect at Southern Miss. At 314 pounds, he has the weight, but at only 6-0, he doesn't have ideal height. He's the 21st ranked defensive tackle in this year's draft class by NFL Draft Scout and will find himself in an NFL training camp somewhere, but will face long odds to make a team.
- Center Cameron Zipp–Zipp earned first-team All-Conference USA honors this season, but he projects far down the list of draft-eligible centers. He's ranked as the 46th center by NFL Draft Scout.
Comments (17)
December 21, 2010 at 02:42 pm
Huge Louisville Cardinal and Green Bay fan here, thought I'd throw in my two cents from Derby City.
Bilal Powell is the real deal. He underperformed his sophomore and junior seasons while the entire program suffered under Steve Kragthorpe. But Charlie Strong breathed life into the program, and no one has benefited more than Powell. He's very Westbrook-like. Not not big, but don't underestimate his power, he's not blazingly fast, but don't underestimate his quickness was he hits the hole (insert Pitino joke here, it's ok, we've heard them all). His intagibales are off the charts. He's a reformed gang-banger who is PAINFULLY shy in front of the media, his coach has to drag him in front of the cameras. But his shyness has only added to his legend around here. He's a flat out stud
Cameron Graham would also be a fine pick, though the Pack seems to be overly-stacked at tight end. But he has the size and the hands. He's the complete package.
Those are the two "sure things". Johnny Patrick is skilled but has off-the-field questions marks. The O-lineman are solid, but I doubt would make many 53 man rosters in the NFL. Byron Stingily is the most physically gifted, but has frustrated fans with numerous mental lapses and false starts.
Sorry for the long post, but it's rare I get to combine my two loves; Packers and Louisville. Also, sorry for Brian Brohm.
Brian Carriveau
December 21, 2010 at 03:05 pm
Awesome. Good stuff. Thanks for the contribution.
December 21, 2010 at 05:39 pm
How does Powell compare to what we already have at RB? I obviously haven't watched him like you have, but in the several quarters that I did watch this season, he seemed a lot like Ryan Grant. And we already have two Ryan Grants (Grant and James Starks). Is he different than those guys?
Brian Carriveau
December 21, 2010 at 06:11 pm
He does remind me a lot of Ryan Grant, except that I think he can have a little more success at the second level, which Ryan Grant has never been really good at.
December 21, 2010 at 05:29 pm
This is really good stuff Brian. Look Forward to seeing more of these over the next month.
Brian Carriveau
December 21, 2010 at 06:13 pm
Thanks. I'll do my best.
December 21, 2010 at 05:41 pm
Four long months to the draft, and I know I'm going to spend the whole time wondering if RT or OLB should be a bigger priority.
What do you guys think?
Would a better rounds 1-2 combo be Gabe Carimi and Mark Herzlich, or Justin Houston and Danny Watkins? (or guys in those neighborhoods)
December 21, 2010 at 07:29 pm
Do you really think the Packers will draft a RB at all this year? They've got 4 decent ones on the roster, and I can think of a few other positions that will need some serious consideration.
December 21, 2010 at 07:59 pm
I have a sneaking suspicion that WR will get drafted high. Think about it: Jones is inconsistent and a free agent, Nelson is also inconsistent (big drop on Sunday) and a free agent after next year, and Driver is starting to show his age. It seems like Jennings is the only long-term keeper in the group...
December 21, 2010 at 09:19 pm
That drop by Nelson on Sunday was VERY uncharacteristic of him. He probably has the surest hands on the team. His only downfall is that his YAC are generally few.
Brian Carriveau
December 21, 2010 at 08:00 pm
Ted Thompson has proved he'll draft the best player available regardless of position.
December 21, 2010 at 09:16 pm
True, but he'll also look to trade up or down based on need, especially after the first two rounds.
December 22, 2010 at 12:09 am
"Do you really think the Packers will draft a RB at all this year? They’ve got 4 decent ones on the roster".
That's exactly the problem. "Decent". The thing holding this Offense back from reaching it's full potential is the fact that N-O-B-O-D-Y fears our running game, or screen game. If our Offense was close to balanced, it would make DC's jobs much more involved when game-planning us. If I'm a DC playing us right now, you would never see 8 in the box unless Kuhn and Johnson are in the backfield with 2 TE's totally tipping our hand.
I'm tired of mediocrity at the RB position. Yeah, yeah, Grant gets his 1200 yards on the ground but offers nothing to the screen game (which was once one of our most effective weapons, remember how good life was with Ahman taking hand-offs or Dorsey even), not to mention he's coming off surgery and is another year older.
Look at what Jamaal Charles, Shady McCoy, Arian Foster, Frank Gore do for their teams. Everything. We need ONE complete back, they do exist, may be a little spendy but it's worth it to round out an Offense with this much talent. Spend a 1st if you have to, spend a 1st and a 3rd to trade up if you have to, or even better, find a gem in the 4th. I don't care how we do it or what it costs... get a thoroughbred back there. I'm over "decent" RB's.
GBP 4 LIFE
December 22, 2010 at 08:23 am
Caught me on that one, Fitz.
But I would counter that we've seen what a competent offensive line can do for even the most average running back. With such a strong passing game, a guy like Adrian Peterson isn't necessary. Would one be great to have? Absolutely. But in this case decent can work. The only caveat is that the supporting players MUST be there to make it happen.
December 22, 2010 at 08:53 pm
There in lies the problem Chad. I in no way think that we have a great run-blocking line, BUT, Ryan Grant was getting 1200 yards behind that line (minus Bulaga who I would argue is 'currently' an upgrade over Tausch in the run game). Alot of great backs have been great in-spite of their line. Of course Barry sanders is the 1st one that comes to mind. I think we currently have an average line. Put an above average back behind them and suddenly people perceive this line to be above average.
"With such a strong passing game, a guy like Adrian Peterson isn’t necessary. Would one be great to have? Absolutely."
Isn't necessary for what? This offense hasn't got us over the hump with 'decent' RB's. Maybe that kind of guy IS necessary (except with better hands), to round out this Offense.
This is the GREEN BAY PACKERS we're talking about. Why not try to have the most explosive/balanced offense in the league? Could you imagine this team with Ahman in his prime (pardon me, just got wood). 1883 yards and a beast in the screen game? The D could occasionally have an off day and we wouldn't lose all those games by a FG... Probably a pipe-dream, but I would just love to see a blue-chipper behind #12. And let the scoring records tremble.
December 21, 2010 at 11:51 pm
I saw either McShay or Kiper (whoever's rankings are running on the ticker of the louisville game) has Powell ranked as the 48th best back in the nation... did I see that right?
Anyhew, Brian I said it on here a couple months ago and even linked some youtube highlights of him... Don't care where he is on the 'experts' boards, I've seen enough of the kid. I would be ecstatic if we drafted Bilal Powell. Good hands, good vision, good feet... good prospect.
GBP 4 LIFE
Brian Carriveau
December 22, 2010 at 07:29 am
Saw that. Found it hard to believe too. I think Powell will shoot up draft boards once the scouting season gets underway just because he was a late bloomer and really wasn't on people's radars prior to his senior season. Kind of like a Clay Matthews in that regard.