Note: I’m not touching on the Armed Forces Bowl (noon, ESPN) between Army and SMU. There are few players worth watching and I’m running short on time today. More here.
Thursday NFL Draft watch notes
Pinstripe Bowl - Kansas State vs. Syracuse - 3:20 p.m. (ESPN)
The star NFL Draft attraction in this game is a pair of late-round running backs in Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas and Syracuse’s Delone Carter. Thomas is a solid downhill runner who has some shiftiness and marginal deep speed. He’s not a receiving threat, but has the strength to break tackles. Carter, who has battled injuries his whole career, is a good all-around back with a little better speed and a lot better receiving skills. Because of that, Carter may find up being the better pro in the long run. Thomas, though, could make a more immediate impact on a roster as a No. 2 back.
Another Syracuse player to watch is undersized linebacker Doug Hogue. The senior has good athleticism and moves around the field well. He led Syracuse this season in tackles for loss (9.5) and interceptions (2).
More from: SB Nation | Bring On The Cats | Troy Nunes…
Music City Bowl - Tennessee vs. North Carolina - 6:40 p.m. (ESPN)
I've talked plenty this season about the North Carolina players in this game. You should know them by now – Deunta Williams (FS), Quan Sturdivant (MLB) and Quinton Coples (DE/DT). So the onus is being put on you. If you watch this game, report back on what you think of each.
Tennessee has two excellent pass catchers in this game, in tight end Luke Stocker and wide receiver Denarius Moore. Stocker is an all-around tight end that can block and catch. What he lacks in athleticism and mobility, he makes up for in reliability and toughness. With so many receiving-only tight ends out there, Stocker could go earlier than you think in the draft simply to fill a need. Moore is having an excellent senior season with 43 receptions for 912 yards and nine touchdowns. He's sneaky fast and an excellent late-round vertical threat.
More from: SB Nation | Carolina March | Rocky Top Talk
Holiday Bowl - Washington vs. Nebraska - 10 p.m. (ESPN)
Here we ago again for Washington's Jake Locker. Will tonight's game be draft stock redemption or a repeat of his Sept. 18 performance against Nebraska? In that game, Locker went a woeful 4-20 for 71 yards a touchdown and two interceptions. That's when people starting questioning Locker as a top pick prospect and it hasn't stopped. While he can't wipe away all doubters tonight, it will help having a positive performance.
If Locker has a bad game again, that could mean junior defensive tackle Jared Crick is having a good for Nebraska. If he does, don't be surprised if Crick announces early next week that he's entering the NFL Draft.
Huskers outside linebacker Lavonte David could do the same but probably shouldn't. In his first season at Nebraska following junior college, David has shown he's one of the most athletic linebackers in the country. His frame is still developing, though, and he might not be physically ready for the NFL.
If you haven't watched Washington's defense much this season, you're missing out on linebacker Mason Foster. He had a ridiculous 151 tackles this season because he can work sideline-to-sideline and takes excellent pursuit angles. He's a solid second-round pick.
More from: SB Nation | UW Dawg Pound | Corn Nation
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