Florida International vs. Marshall Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl 2012 NFL Draft Preview

The Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you haven’t set your DVR yet, be sure to do so, especially if you are a fan of sleepers in the NFL Draft.

This game pits Marshall and Florida International, not exactly two national powerhouses but two guys that could turn out to have a huge impact as professional players.

The best prospect in this game–at least according to a majority of analysts–is Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry, whom we compared here at NFL Mocks to Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker/pass rush specialist LaMarr Woodley.

Curry is a pass rush specialist who has had an excellent senior season, finishing off a great career as a member of the Thundering Herd with 26 career sacks heading into the Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl.

Marshall (6-6) is going to need some serious production out of Curry on Tuesday night if they are going to get the ball to their biggest playmaker, probably in school history, T.Y. Hilton.

I got a chance to watch Hilton earlier this year on ESPN (@Louisville, 9/8/11), and he did not disappoint. This kid is electrifying with his speed, and he can make people miss in the open field. He needs 50 yards to break 1,000 on the season, something he has not done since 2008 as a freshman when he caught 41 passes for 1,013 yards, an outstanding 24.7 yards per reception.

I think Hilton has the upside at the NFL level of a guy like Antonio Brown who can contribute to your team in so many ways, as well as break open the passing game with big plays down the field.