In each of the eight previous Military Bowls, at least one team has scored 29 points. Don't bet on that that streak continuing in 2016.
Temple and Wake Forest yielded a combined 39 points on average per game this season. They held opponents to 21 points or fewer 16 times, including seven teams to 10 points or fewer.
Though the defenses will earn most of the pregame and in-game attention, the Military Bowl's 2017 NFL Draft prospects aren't only on the defensive side. Here are the top NFL Draft prospects from both teams, ranked:
| Rank | Player | Pos. | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haason Reddick | LB | Temple |
| 2 | Dion Dawkins | OT | Temple |
| 3 | Marquel Lee | LB | Wake Forest |
| 4 | Jahad Thomas | RB | Temple |
Temple broke out of their three-year draft drought in a big way last April, with three Owls getting selected. And there's a chance they do it again in 2017.
Hybrid defensive end/linebacker Haason Reddick leads Temple's draftable contingent. One of many reasons why Temple gave up only 33 total points in their final five games, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound potential third- or fourth-round pick had 8.5 sacks, including six over a three-game stretch in October. He'd likely be used as an outside linebacker and situational pass rusher at the next level.
Also in the draft fold for Temple is offensive tackle Dion Dawkins and and running back Jahad Thomas.
Dawkins, who was one of only four true freshman to start at tackle in the FBS in 2013, was a fixture on the line for the last four seasons, earning All-AAC First-Team honors in 2016. At 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, he's big, strong and quick enough to remain a blindside protector. Like Reddick, he's currently carrying a late second- or early third-day grade.
Thomas, meanwhile, is just fighting for a spot. A potential sixth or seventh-rounder, the 5-foot-10, 188-pound ball-carrier is an all-purpose back who racked up 3,570 total yards in his career. He is not a down-restricted player, routinely showing his worth as a blocker and pass-catcher on third down.
For Wake Forest, Marquel Lee is vying to be their first linebacker selected since 2009 (Aaron Curry). He viciously attacks the line of scrimmage, evident by his 14.5 sacks and 41 tackles for loss over the last three years, and is among the best in the nation at getting his hands on football — three forced fumbles in 2016.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder sits alongside Reddick and Dawkins and potential early third-day selection.
