Nebraska Cornhuskers at South Carolina Gamecocks Capital One Bowl
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will take on the South Carolina Gamecocks tomorrow. Both teams have had decent seasons the Cornuskers 9-3 the Gamecocks were 10-2. The Big 10 is looking to show the SEC that they belong.
Of course with any Big SEC school, you know the game is going to be filled with quality prospects. Here are some prospects to be watching for in tomorrow’s big game.
The scouting reports for many of these players (and many, many more) can be found on our scouting report page
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornuskers best prospect is cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. Dennard is a guy who was excellent last year, so good that some draftniks have said he was better than Prince Amukamara. He started the season injured, and has been a little up and down since then, but has pure ability. He will likely draw Alshon Jeffery. Dennard has a great chance to go in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Jared Crick, DL
He is out for the season ,but just thought I should mention him. He may still go in the back end of round one, but is probably a round two prospect because of his injury.
Lavonte David, LB
David is a speedy instinctive linebacker prospect who has an outside shot of ending up in the first round, but more likely is a round two or early round three prospect. David is a productive tackling machine who has continued to produce regardless of who is taking up space up front.
Rex Burkhead, RB
Burkhead doesn’t seem like a player who will declare for the 2012 N.F.L. draft and is a guy people have question about his athletic ability. But he has been supremely productive this year. He can do everything on the football field, block, catch, run. He has a nice build and could be a real surprise player at the next level.
Baker Steinkhuler, DL
Steinkhuler is a late round defensive linemen prospect.
Other players to watch:
Jamarcus Hardick OT, Austin Cassidy Safety, Brandon Kinnie WR
South Carolina
The Gamecocks have a few big name prospects the best of which is their talented WR.
Alshon Jeffery, WR
This year Jeffery hasn’t had great numbers and because of that people are beginning to question his down field speed and seperation abilities. Is his down year a productive of the quarterback play? I lean towards yes. Jeffery entered the season a possible top 10 pick but now is looking at top 25 range. Jeffery is the player who needs a big game the most.
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Gilmore is a verastile secondary player who might be able to move to safety at the next level because he can really tackle. Gilmore has good size, speed and production. He has quitely been slipping down boards for one reason or another, but should still be considered in the mix as a first round prospect. Gilmore could use a big game today too to get some positive buzz back on him.
Melvin Ingram, DL/OLB
Ingram’s problem right now is that he doesn’t have a solidfied position in the N.F.L. Is Ingram a Defensive end at the N.F.L. level? Right now he excels at DT can he play there in the N.F.L. He is undersized for the DT Position. Does he have the ability to be an everydown outside linebacker and not get exposed in coverage? Everyone knows how good of a College Football player Ingram has become. And he has a lot of ability, but where is he playing in the N.F.L.?
Devin Taylor, DL
Speaking of South Carolina players who have had their stock drop: I present you Devin Taylor. Tayloris sreally long for a 43 DE 6’7 260 pounds which is intriguing. He also has plus athletic ability. But he’s had a bad year this year. With about half the tackles for loss he had last year. He could return for his senior season and might want to. Of course a huge bowl game could always change his mind.
Antonio Allen, S
Allen is a guy I’ve been meaning to get a scouting report done for and will soon, but he could be one of the first safety prospects drafted in the 2012 N.F.L. draft especially if any other safeties return (McDonald is going back to school). Allen is an athlete, playmaker and great tackler. He has played the “spur” position a S/LB hybrid.
Rokevious Watkins, G
A top fifteen guard prospect who is likely to get drafted. Watkins is a powerful run blocker.
For other South Carolina prospects
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The scouting reports for many of these players (and many, many more) can be found on our scouting report page