Iowa vs. Stanford: This year’s Rose Bowl features some intriguing NFL Draft prospects for both the Hawkeyes and the Cardinal…
It’s the Granddaddy of them all at the Rose Bowl featuring the Iowa Hawkeyes and Stanford Cardinal, both featuring interesting NFL Draft prospects both eligible in 2016 and beyond.
Unquestionably, the star power in this game comes from Heisman Trophy finalist Christian McCaffrey, the best all-purpose player in America who lost the Heisman race to Alabama’s Derrick Henry.
Both of these teams have had phenomenal seasons, and both have done so because of the leadership and poise of their quarterbacks. Strong running games, timely and efficient passing attacks, as well as tough defense and solid special teams make this one of the most evenly matched Rose Bowls I can remember in years, and because of the star power offensively, there could be some fireworks in this game.
Let’s take a look at the NFL Draft aspect of this game for each team.
Stanford Cardinal
- QB Kevin Hogan (SR) is probably the most interesting player to me in this game from an NFL Draft standpoint. Where is some team going to deem him worthy of a pick, and what kind of development is he capable of at the next level? We know that what we’ve seen from Hogan since taking over the starting job at Stanford has been nothing short of a mixed bag. There have been times when I thought this was a guy that was a gifted athlete who can run and play QB in college but it doesn’t necessarily translate to the NFL. This season — his final one in college — has changed that for me. Hogan’s obviously an efficient runner but he’s completing over 68 percent of his passes this year, still running the ball effectively, and his four-touchdown performance against Notre Dame on 17-of-21 passing is going to force me to go back to the tape.
- WR Michael Rector (JR) is considering entering the draft, and with Kevin Hogan on his way out, it makes some sense. His production hasn’t been great, but he’s certainly made some plays and is doing enough due diligence that he decided he would consult the NFL advisory board. At this point, he should be considered 50-50 to return next season, but his progress bears monitoring.
- RB Christian McCaffrey (SO) is NOT draft eligible. Sorry, guys. As good as he’s been, and as much as you’d like to see him in your team’s uniform, it simply can’t happen until 2017. McCaffrey is the best all-around player in college football, and he’ll remain that for at least another year as a Heisman front-runner in 2016.
- OT Kyle Murphy (SR) is considered a top 75 prospect and a possible second round draft pick with great size. Stanford has made a habit in recent years of cranking out NFL caliber offensive linemen, so Murphy is a player that we should all be keeping an eye on. Likewise, OG Joshua Garnett is considered one of the top guard prospects in the class and has starting potential for the next level right away with his body type and coming from a pro-style offense.
Iowa Hawkeyes
- CB Desmond King (JR) is probably Iowa’s best draft-eligible prospect on either side of the football, and likely the best NFL prospect playing in this game as a general whole. In my opinion, King should be a first round pick the way he has played the last three years, but he has hinted at possibly returning to Iowa City for his senior season and a chance at a National Championship rather than entering the draft. His ball-skills, tackling, and special teams prowess are all NFL-ready traits and scouts will be on hand to watch him play in this huge game.
- RB Jordan Canzeri (SR) has been critical to the Hawkeyes’ success offensively this year, but with his size and injury history, he might be a priority free agent type for NFL teams. The biggest reason for his success — and the success of other Iowa backs — has literally been the massive offensive line that paves the way, and they are led by senior C Austin Blythe (SR) who is one of the best centers in the country. Blythe is NFL-ready and another in a long line of excellent linemen groomed by Kirk Ferentz and his staff.
- OG Jordan Walsh (SR) will likely get a look from NFL teams in the mid rounds as well, but one of Iowa’s really interesting players in this game as it pertains to the NFL is S Jordan Lomax (SR) who was a cornerback coming out of high school that has turned into a head hunter at safety. Lomax is a hard-hitter who could make an immediate impact in the NFL on special teams as he continues to develop into the position as a safety.
- LB Cole Fisher (SR) has been all over the football this season, racking up 112 tackles, 4.5 tackles or loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception, and six pass breakups. He’s an underrated prospect who might be getting just late round looks from NFL teams right now but Iowa always does a great job of developing players that are disciplined and give great effort, and if Fisher tests out athletically, he will be a fine NFL linebacker on the weakside.