The DXL Frisco Bowl on Dec. 20 will give viewers the chance to see an elite draft talent take the field when SMU and Louisiana Tech square off.
SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton is one of the best receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft, and will look to put on a show in Frisco before he heads off to the NFL — potentially as a top-10 pick — after three seasons at SMU.
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COMPARE: Courtland Sutton vs. Calvin Ridley | Courtland Sutton vs. James Washington
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Here's a look at the top 10 NFL Draft prospects to keep an eye on during the game. (*junior, **sophomore)
| RANK | PLAYER | POS | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Courtland Sutton* | WR | SMU |
| 2 | Justin Lawler | DE | SMU |
| 3 | Trey Quinn* | WR | SMU |
| 4 | Secdrick Cooper | FS | Louisiana Tech |
| 5 | Jaylon Ferguson* | DE | Louisiana Tech |
| 6 | Jordan Wyatt* | SS | SMU |
| 7 | Ben Hicks** | QB | SMU |
| 8 | Brandon Durman* | ILB | Louisiana Tech |
| 9 | OShea Dugas* | G | Louisiana Tech |
| 10 | Jonathan Barnes | K | Louisiana Tech |
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SMU prospects
Sutton — with one game left — will finish his SMU career with at least 183 receptions, 31 touchdowns and 3,045 yards. He's arguably the best SMU receiver of all time, and he's one of only three former Mustangs to accumulate more than 3,000 reception yards (former SMU receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Aldrick Robinson needed four years to accomplish the feat). He caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and 12 scores this season.
He's far and away the top draft prospect on the field, but he's not the only Mustang likely to get drafted. Justin Lawler, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive end, is drawing late-round grades. He was second on the team in tackles and led the team with 9.5 sacks this year.
SMU also has a number of potential 2019 and 2020 draft prospects, including junior wide receiver Trey Quinn (who actually had more receiving yards than Sutton and as many touchdowns), junior safety Jordan Wyatt (who led the Mustangs with 4 interceptions and 12 pass deflections this year) and sophomore quarterback Ben Hicks (who threw for 3,442 yards, 32 touchdowns and 9 interceptions this year).
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Louisiana Tech prospects
Louisiana Tech's best shot at a draft pick this year is likely safety Secdrick Cooper, who was second on the team with 63 total tackles and finished the year with two interceptions and four passes defended. The hard-hitting safety is a projected 7th-rounder or a free agent.
Junior defensive end Jaylon Ferguson will likely draw some eyes next season, as will junior linebacker Brandon Durman. Both were key members of the defense this season.
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