The TicketCity Bowl (noon, ESPNU) features two schools seemingly going in different directions in Houston and Penn State. Houston is headed for the Big East in 2013 and a new football stadium sometime after. Penn State faces uncertainty with the ongoing the Jerry Sandusky scandal and the firing of legendary head coach Joe Paterno.
While the Cougars look like the better program, the Nittany Lions have far better NFL Draft talent. Amidst everything that has happened at Penn State this season, the singular constant was the incredible play of defensive tackle Devon Still. He was productive throughout the year and developed as a team leader. When Still fires out of his stance low, he can dominate against the run. Still has overcome injury and academic issues to become a likely first-round pick in April.
Penn State vs. Houston; TicketCity Bowl NFL Draft watch notes
Penn State’s
has a lot of the traits you look for in a defensive end. He’s tall, possesses solid enough athleticism to get off the line and is strong enough to line up in 4-3 sets. Crawford, who is invited to the Senior Bowl, just hasn’t consistently put it together on the field. Another Penn State player going to the Senior Bowl is cornerback
. He’ll be challenged today by Houston’s high-impact passing offense that is predicated on timing and execution.
Other Penn State players to monitor are wide receiver
and guard
, another Senior Bowl invitee.
Houston’s standout prospect is record-setting senior quarterback
. He’ll get drafted in the late rounds, but will have to put in a lot of work to make it in the NFL. Keenum is a good rhythm passer but doesn’t have the best tools.
Download the bowl watch list, put together by 3k, here.
2013 NFL Draft watch: No one seems sure whether or not Penn State weakside linebacker Gerald Hodges will enter the draft this year. If not, he'll go into next season as one of the nation's more highly rated linebackers. He comes into today's game leading the Nittany Lions in tackles with 97 to go along with 10 tackles for loss.
