12/19 Bowl Game – NFL Draft Prospects to Watch

by Dave Syvertsen, Ourlads’ Draft Analyst

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

#10 QB Cooper Rush – 6’3/230

4 year starter that had his best season on 2015, many thought this could be a year where he put himself in to day 2 consideration. He didn’t play overly well and I didn’t see an NFL starter in him.  I like his size and ability to move within the pocket but he doesn’t have a big arm and he’s coming from a QB friendly system.  Rush is smart, protects the ball well, and likes to spread it around.  There are some quality traits here and I think he gets drafted for potential backup duty.

Other Notables:

#40 FB Joe Bacci – 6’1/245

#18 S Tony Annese – 6’1/215

TULSA

#2 WR Keevan Lucas – 5’11/195

Top prospect in the game and one of my under the radar WRs that I think can be an impact guy. Missed most of 2015 with a torn patella, an injury that has a tendency to be really detrimental to guys that depend on explosion.  But Lucas came back in 2016 and shined.  In the pass happy offense, he led the team with a 74/1,108/12 receiving line.  More impressive than that was his consistent ability to make tough, highlight-reel catches week in, week out.  His ball skills are a huge plus, among the best I’ve seen out of senior receivers in this class.  Quick acceleration, aggressive style of play.  Right now I have him pegged as a 3^rd-4^th rounder.

Other Notables:

#88 WR Josh Atkinson – 6’2/208

#20 RB James Flanders – 5’10/203

#9 QB Dane Evans – 6’1/210

#78 OG Blake Belcher – 6’5/300