California Golden Bears vs Texas Longhorns Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl

Today when the California Golden Bears take on the Texas Longhorns in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl there will be a lot of quality N.F.L. talent on dispaly, though it may lack the bona fide start Texas usually puts into the draft. There are alot of third to fifth round prospecrts in this game. Here are some players to watch.

California

DL Trevor Guyton

Guyton might be my favorite player in this game. Guyton is a strong versatile defensive linemen who can play in the 43 or definitely in the 34. Guyton doesn’t wow you with his statistics, but puts on a clinic on the field. Guyton is a player that can definitely handle the rigors of 34 Defensive End. Watch him today if you’re a fan of a team looking for a 34 defensive end. I think Guyton will eventually end up in the third round when all is said and done.

Wide Receiver Marvin Jones

Jones is a tall slender wide receiver who can make some plays down the field. Jones has good height at 6’3 and is a solid all around guy. He’s a late round wide receiver prospect.

Offensive Tackle Mitchell Schwartz

Second Team All Pac 10 selection last year and a third team All-American this pre-season by GoDaddy.com, Schwartz is a massive offensive tackle prospect with solid upside as either a tackle or possibly guard at the next level. In his Cal career as a whole, he has been a very durable lineman playing both right and left tackle, and showing off some skill in the classroom as well being named Honorable mention Pac 10 All-Academic in the last three years. Smart kid who is a mauler at his position, he should have a future in the NFL either as a right tackle or guard. Named Cal’s most valuable lineman the last two seasons.

Linebackers Mychal Kendricks and D.J. Holt

Kendricks has had a really productive season and makes a lot of plays in the backfield. This year Kendricks has 12.5 tackles for loss. Kendricks lacks ideal size at 6′ 240 pounds, but uses his plus instincts to be in the right position often. Kendricks offers some ability as a pass rusher and can really be a special team dynamo to start his career.

D.J. Holt

Not a flashy linebacker prospect but a guy who gets the job done. 85 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season. I am always intrigued by linebacker with his size type. Solid in coverage and capable of making the big hit, probably has a future in the NFL as a special teams player and reserve linebacker. A little bit older than the rest of his draft class, so that is slightly working against him, but I think he has decent upside.

Safety Sean Cattouse

Cattouse brings really intringuing size at 6’3 218 pounds and has a few interceptions in his career. He has 2 interceptions this year and 7 in his career. Cattouse is another late round safety prospect who will likely be drafted. I’ll really be focusing on his coverage ability today and fluidity. If he has impressive hips he could be drafted even higher than I think.

 Texas Longhorns

DL Kheeston Randall (scouting report)

Randall has kind of had a disappointing season this year. But like Guyton is another guy who has the functional strength to play in the 34. He had a 2nd round grade by many outlets prior to the season, but he needs a huge performance today. He hasn’t made a lot of splash plays this year.

S Blake Gideon

One of nepatriotsdraft.com’s favorite players. I haven’t quite seen what they have out of Gideon who is a solid safety prospect. I’ll be watching him closely today though. Gideon is very instinctive and has made plays throughout his career. He might be this year’s Tyler Sash though, an instinctive productive player who just falls in the draft and some team could really find themselves a good starter in a few years.

LB Emmanuel Acho (scouting report)

Emmanuel Acho does everything well but nothing great.  He is effective in coverage, attacking the line of scrimmage on run plays, and has the ability to be an effective pass rusher.   He has been vital to Texas defense for 3 years now.  In the pros he will be effective in either the 3-4 or 4-3 defense.  As long as you are not expecting a 10 sack a season guy he is more suited in the 3-4.  He brings to the table similar traits as Jarrett Johnson so partner him up with a pass rusher and he will complement them well.

Full back Cody Johnson

Cody Johnson is perhaps the top full back prospect in College Football. Johnson reminds us of Jacksonville Jaguars (and former Seminoles RB) Greg Jones. Johnson is a fullback who can carry the rock, but will have to learn a bit in the blocking game. Good upside as a fullback though as a guy who can produce from the position as well as block.

Linebacker Kennan Robinson (scouting report)

Robinson might be the first player drafted out of this group because of his athleticism and because of Randall’s disappointing season. Robinson has all the traits you look for in a linebacker prospect. SIze, speed, tackling ability.  I’d lik eto see him be more aggessive at attacking the line of scrimmage, but he can also cover well. There are a few positions this year that are down, but linebacker is not one of them. And Robinson is one of these late day two picks who could develop into a real productive starter.