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30. Arizona Bowl
Air Force vs. South Alabama
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Gerald Everett, TE — South Alabama
In just two seasons at South Alabama, 6-foot-4, 240-pound Gerald Everett has become one of the most reliable tight ends in the nation. Though his scoring dipped this season (eight touchdowns in 2015 vs. four in 2016), he’s still a big-enough target with soft hands and above-average blocking skills, which should warrant consideration as an early third-day pick.
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29. New Orleans Bowl
UL-Lafayette vs. Southern Miss
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Elijah McGuire, RB — UL-Lafayette
Elijah McGuire is the most unknown three-time 1,000-yard rusher in college football.
He’s no longer averaging the 8.4 and 7.6 yards per carry he did as a freshman and sophomore, respectively, but he remains a terrific three-down back. In addition to averaging 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns per season on the ground, he has averaged 32 catches for 344 yards and 2.5 scores in the passing game.
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28. Birmingham Bowl
South Carolina vs. South Florida
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Marlon Mack, RB — South Florida
South Florida fans should be worried about Marlon Mack leaving for the NFL, especially after the departure of head coach Willie Taggart.
At 6-foot, 210 pounds, Mack is a powerful but light-footed running back, rushing for over 3,500 yards in three seasons. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2016 and found the endzone 15 times on only 161 carries. He’ll be in consideration for the first Group of 5 running back selected if he leaves.
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27. Las Vegas Bowl
Houston vs. San Diego State
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Tyus Bowser, LB — Houston
One of many future NFLers on Houston’s defense, Tyus Bowser is a bad, bad dude. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, he’ll lay out anyone but is responsible and disciplined in the passing game to avoid yielding big plays.
He missed five games due to injury in the middle of the season, four of which Houston gave up 24 or more points. They only did so once in the other seven games.
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26. St. Petersburg Bowl
Miami (OH) vs. Mississippi State
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Fred Ross, WR — Mississippi State
Fred Ross was one of the few reliable things for Mississippi State in the post-Dak era. The senior wideout topped 100 yards three times, scored 12 times and averaged a modest 12.8 yards per catch.
He’s not a burner, nor will he embarrass defensive backs on jump balls. However, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is a good route-runner and potential special-teamer who may slide into the fourth round.
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25. TaxSlayer Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Jon Toth, C — Kentucky
Toth was an All-SEC Freshman in 2013 and hasn’t slowed down.
He helped Boom Williams average a single-season record 7.1 yards per carry last season and led the Wildcats’ rushing offense to 2,895 yards in 2016, the 12th-highest total in the nation. At 6-foot-5, he could slide to a guard position or remain at center.
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24. Military Bowl
Temple vs. Wake Forest
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Haason Reddick, LB – Temple
Hybrid defensive end/linebacker Haason Reddick is a huge reason why Temple gave up only 33 total points in their final five games.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound man with a relentless motor had 8.5 sacks, including six over a three-game stretch in October. Likely too small to play defensive end in the NFL, the potential fourth-rounder appears primed as strategically used edge rusher and roving linebacker.
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23. Alamo Bowl
Colorado vs. Oklahoma State
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Mason Rudolph, QB — Oklahoma State
There’s a great chance Mason Rudolph remains in Stillwater for one final hurrah. If not, he may be one of the top quarterbacks off the board. A big (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) pocket passer who can scramble if needed, Rudolph protects the football (17 total interceptions in three seasons, including four in 416 attempts in 2016) and rarely takes uncalculated risks.
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22. Camellia Bowl
Appalachian State vs. Toledo
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Kareem Hunt, RB — Toledo
Kareem Hunt’s NFL dream received a giant injection this season.
He proved he can be a three-down back, reliable receiver (39 catches for 377 yards) and bell cow (20 carries per game). Hunt isn’t averaging the eight yards per carry he did as a sophomore in 2014 but he’s a more well-rounded back who will entice NFL teams with his size (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) and versatility.
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21. Quick Lane Bowl
Boston College vs. Maryland
Best NFL Draft Prospect
Harold Landry, DE — Boston College
One of the best pass-rushers in college football, Harold Landry is shooting up draft boards. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end recorded at least one sack in all but two games played, including six over his final three games.
He could return to Chestnut Hill in search of a first-round grade but might be wise to leave and hope a team rolls the dice early on Friday.
