'09 NFL Draft: Which prospects to watch during college bowl season

By Tony Pauline, Special to SI.com, TFYDraft.com

With the college bowl season set to get underway, SI.com's draft guru Tony Pauline has identified potential NFL prospects playing in all the games. Check here for the first 11 bowl games. Check back soon for the final 11 games.

Independence Bowl, Dec. 28: Northern Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech

Northern Illinois

Larry English/DE-OLB/#51/5Sr: English, a four-year starter who's accumulated 31 combined sacks since his sophomore season, has been zipping up draft boards. He lined up at defensive end for NIU, yet shows the necessary athleticism and skill to stand up over tackle as an outside linebacker in the NFL. Scouts expect English to be selected in the third round next April.

Jon Brost/OL/#60/5Sr: Brost is another four-year starter for the Huskies and a big, tough college tackle who plays a smart brand of football. Athletically limited, he is a free agent prospect likely to be pushed into guard at the next level.

Matthew Simon/WR/#85/5Sr: Simon is a king-sized wideout who's shown himself to be a big play threat in the past. He's coming off a disappointing senior campaign but could be a diamond in the rough at the next level if he gets his game back to form.

Louisiana Tech

Antonio Baker/S/#34/3Jr: Louisiana Tech's leading tackler the past two seasons, Baker is a well-rounded safety who flies around the action trying to make positive plays. He's been a well-kept secret in the scouting community and could end up as a middle-round choice in the 2010 draft.

D'Anthony Smith/DT/#5/3Jr: Smith is an undersized yet active lineman. He effectively defends the run while disrupting the opponent's game plan as a pass rusher. Smith has growth limitations yet would be a nice fit for a defense which lines up a three-technique tackle.

PapaJohns.com Bowl, Dec. 29: N.C. State vs. Rutgers

North Carolina State

Rutgers' Kenny Britt could be a top-75 pick in the draft this season. AP

Andre Brown/RB/24/4Sr: The Wolfpack's leading rusher three of the past four seasons, Brown was back to form in 2008 after missing most of his junior campaign with a broken foot. Brown is a well-sized ball carrier who picks up the difficult yardage on the inside yet is also an accomplished pass catcher out of the backfield. He'll have an opportunity to find a roster spot in the NFL as a team's second back and next April's poor class of senior runners could force Brown into the third frame.

Willie Young/DE/#97/4Jr: Young comes off a breakout campaign and was a constant presence in the opponent's backfield last season, totaling 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He's an athletic prospect and developing into a game changing defensive end. Young will be an early pick in 2010 if he continues to develop.

Curtis Crouch/G/#76/4Sr: Crouch is a wide-bodied blocker who controls defenders once he gets his hands on them. He's shown flashes of ability in the past three years yet never elevated his game as many expected. Crouch will fall into the late rounds as a result.

Alan-Michael Cash/DT/#49/4Jr: Cash is a high intensity defender with a non-stop motor. He measures over 6-feet, 286 pounds -- numbers which limit his potential at the next level. Cash will be a late-round pick, yet is the type of player who would be an asset to any roster.

Rutgers

Kenny Britt/WR/#88/3Jr: Rutgers big play receiver has an NFL body to compliment his breakaway speed. Britt led the team in receiving the past two years, setting school records for pass catching yards in both campaigns, most recently totaling 1252 yards this season. He is expected to enter April's draft and is a potential top 75 choice.

Courtney Greene/S/#36/4Sr: Greene, highly rated by NFL scouts coming into the year, finished his Rutgers career in disappointing fashion. He's an aggressive safety with outstanding size yet seemed timid and disinterested at times this year. Greene's draft stock will fall but he possesses enough ability to be a successful starter at the next level if he gets back on track.

Tiquan Underwood/WR/#7/4Sr: The Scarlet Knights' other receiver also displays himself to be a big play pass catcher while adding the element of game-breaking return specialist. Underwood fell short of expectations this season yet should be selected in the late rounds and fight a roster spot in the NFL.

Jason McCourty/CB/#25/4Sr: McCourty has teased scouts with his ability during the past two years. He's a prospect with outstanding size and terrific speed yet a cornerback with an inconsistent game.

Kevin Brock/TE/#89/5Sr: The team's starting tight end gets minimal notoriety yet does the little things well. Brock is an efficient pass catcher who holds his own as a blocker. He offers potential as a third tight end in the NFL and could slide into the late rounds next year.

Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29: Northwestern vs. Missouri

Northwestern

Corey Wooten thrives on chasing down the opposing QB. Getty Images

Corey Wootton/DE/#99/4Jr: Wootton is an imposing figure on the field as his 6-foot-7, 275 pound frame is impossible to miss. He makes himself much more recognizable by constantly chasing down opposing quarterback and disrupting the action. Woo ten had a breakout season this year totaling nine sacks with 15 tackles for loss. He is first round material and a prospect with an exciting future.

Sherrick McManis/CB/#24/3Jr: Northwestern's starting cornerback the past two seasons, McManis possesses mouthwatering size/speed numbers and is developing the defensive back skills to match. His numbers this season included 64 tackles with 14 pass defenses. McManis offers first day potential and is a prospect to keep an eye on.

Tyrell Sutton/RB/#19/4Sr: Sutton has been the Wildcats multi-purpose ball handler the past four years. He led the team on the ground this year and caught 30 passes even though he played in just eight games. Sutton's also an accomplished return specialist and his versatility should secure him a spot in the late rounds.

John Gill/DT/#70/4Sr: Gill has been a solid four-year starter for Northwestern and a lineman who plays hard until the whistle blows. He projects as a late round selection and offers possibilities as a one-gap tackle in the NFL.

Eric Peterman/WR/10/4Sr: Peterman is a sure-handed receiver with a good head for the game. He lacks the timed speed to be anything other than a late round pick yet could find a roster spot in the NFL as a fifth receiver.

Missouri

Jeremy Maclin/WR/#9/3So: The Tigers home-run hitting receiver is also a game-breaking return specialist and a threat to score anytime he handles the ball. Maclin was the only player in the nation in 2007 to record touchdowns as a receiver, ball carrier, kick returner and punt returner. He's expected to enter the draft and will be chosen in the top half of round one.

William Moore/S/#1/5Sr: Moore is a complete defensive back and a forceful run defender who also displays skill in pass coverage. He's also a terrific athlete yet scouts are concerned his 230 pound frame may be slightly to big for the quickness needed to play centerfield in the NFL. Expect Moore to be the second Tiger selected in round one next April.

Sean Weatherspoon/OLB/#12/3Jr: Missouri's leading tackler the past two years, Weatherspoon is a fast, fluid athlete that also stands out in coverage. Weatherspoon intercepted three passes and broke up six more this season. He's developing into a complete three down defender and with measurables of 7-foot-1 and 235 pounds, with 4.55 forty speed, he will be sought after by a number of one gap defenses when he enters the draft.

Chase Coffman/TE/#45/4Sr: Coffman was the recipient of the 2008 John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end. One of the most prolific pass catching tight ends in the nation the past four years, Coffman finished his senior season with 83 receptions, bringing his college total to 239. He does not possess the speed many of his tight end counterparts in April's draft offer, yet Coffman is solid value in round two.

Evander Hood/DT/#94/4Sr: The Tigers starting tackle since his sophomore campaign, Hood has been a disruptive force on the inside as his quickness and explosion gives opponents fits. He tips the scales at 295 pounds and offers ability at tackle in a conventional 4-3 alignment.

Stryker Sulak/DE-OLB/#38/5Sr: Missouri's sack-master, Sulak recorded 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for losses this year. Sulak is a 242-pound college defensive end who has the speed to transition to linebacker in the NFL.

Chase Daniel/QB/#10/4Sr: Daniel started off hot this season and was making believers of NFL scouts before the wheels began to come off. He's dropping down draft boards and has been labeled as the dreaded "system quarterback".

Humanitarian Bowl, Dec. 30: Nevada vs. Maryland

Nevada

Marko Mitchell/WR/#4/4Sr: Mitchell is a fluid, graceful pass catcher with natural receiving skills. He's been moderately successful in college yet has never dominated the competition as scouts thought possible. Mitchell possesses third round talent yet the inability to produce on a big time level will push him into the late frames.

Josh Mauga/ILB/#30/4Sr: Mauga has been a force on the Nevada defense since his freshman season, missing just a handful of games in '07 with a knee injury. He's a terrific run defender who makes plays in the box and chases hard to get involved in the action. Mauga offers potential as a back-up at a number of linebacker positions.

Dominic Green/C/#51/5Sr: Green's been Nevada's starting center the past four years, except when he was seeing action at guard as a freshman. He is a quick, explosive lineman who displays ability blocking in motion. The versatility to handle several spots on the offensive line will have teams looking at him in the late rounds.

Uche Anyanwyu/S/#17/5Sr: The Wolfpack's leading tackler this season, Anyanwyu is a big, strong run defending safety. He is presently flying under the radar screen but would be a good fit in a zone defense or as a conventional strong safety.

Maryland

Darrius Heyward-Bey/WR/#8/4Jr: Heyward-Bey made an immediate impact at Maryland the moment he stepped on the field. Awarded All-America honors after his freshman and sophomore campaigns, he is considered one of the most explosive deep threats in the nation. His '08 campaign got off to a slow start and his final total of 38 receptions for 561 receiving yards was a disappointment. NFL scouts still give Heyward-Bey high grades and the junior is expected to enter the draft then come away as a first round pick.

Jaimie Thomas/G/76/5Sr: Thomas is a wide-bodied blocker who moves well on his feet. He measures 6-foot-4 and 330-pounds yet is nimble enough to take defenders from the action blocking in motion. Thomas has the skills to start in the NFL and should be selected in the fourth round area.

Dan Gronkowski/TE/#18/5Sr: Gronkowski is a well-rounded tight end who presented himself as a receiving threat this season after primarily being used as a blocker the prior two years. He's middle round material with enough skill to develop into a number two tight end on the NFL level.

Moise Fokou/OLB/#48/5Sr: One of the hidden gems at the linebacker position, Fokou is a terrific athlete with the speed and skill to play in the NFL. He's best in pursuit and is a three down defender who makes plays in every direction. Fokou will be good value in the late rounds.

Kevin Barnes/CB/#2/5Sr: Barnes was one of the higher-rated senior cornerbacks at the start of the season and was playing well until a shoulder injury put him on the shelf seven games into the schedule. He possesses top 100 talent yet his final draft grade will be determined by the prognosis of his injury at February's combine.

Jeremy Navarre/DE/#40/5Sr: Navarre is an intense defender with limited physical skills. His non-stop motor could help him secure a spot in the late rounds and Navarre will have a real opportunity as a rotational lineman in the NFL.

Holiday Bowl, Dec. 30: Oregon vs. Oklahoma State

Oregon

Max Unger/C-OT/#60/4Sr: Unger is a four-year starter for the Ducks and has played a number of positions on the offensive line. His size, versatility and production has caused him to soar up draft boards. Unger projects as a top 45 choice in April's draft and as either a center or right tackle.

Jeremiah Johnson/RB/#24/4Sr: Johnson is another Oregon senior flying up draft boards as he did a great job this season taking over the starting role from the departed Jonathan Stewart, a first round pick in last April's draft. He's an elusive ball carrier who creates his own yardage and is also experienced as a return specialist. Johnson has done enough to get consideration in the third round of the draft.

Fenuki Tupou/OT/#57/5Sr: Tupou arrived at Oregon from Sierra College and has been a major force on the offensive line the past two seasons. He's an athletic blocker with the skills to protect the blind side as well as the size (6-5 and 330 pounds) to line up on the right side. Tupou impressed scouts this season and could also hear his name called in round three.

Patrick Chung/S/#15/5Sr: Oregon's starting safety the past four years, Chung has been a team leader in tackles since his freshman campaign. He's a steady run defender whose skills in coverage are a little suspect. Another third round prospect, Chung is likely to be selected for a defense which will use him as a traditional strong safety.

LaGarrette Blount/RB/#9/3Jr: Blunt burst onto the scene at Oregon this season after transferring from East Mississippi CC. He's a big bodied ball carrier (6-2 and 235 pounds) with the power to hammer opponents on the inside as well as the speed to pick up big chinks of yardage from the line of scrimmage in the open field. Blount offers great upside and could make a big leap up draft boards if he proves capable of carrying the load in 2009.

Ed Dickson/TE/#83/4Jr: The athletic tight end offers natural receiving skills and the speed necessary to create mismatches in the secondary. He'll be one of the higher rated tight ends heading into the college season next year.

Oklahoma State

Brandon Pettigrew/TE/#87/5Sr: One of the most complete tight ends in the nation, Pettigrew has been Oklahoma State's starting tight end for the past four years. He's an athletic 6-foot-6, 255 pounds and possesses the speed to make receptions deep into the secondary as well as the strength to block defenders from the action. Pettigrew was stamped with a first-round grade during his junior year and should quickly break into a starting line-up in the NFL.

Russell Okung/OT/#76/3Jr: Okung could well be the best tackle you've never heard of. He's a sensational pass protector who also moves defenders off the line in run blocking situations. Okung reportedly is considering entering April's draft and could slide into the last few selections of round one should he opt for the NFL.

Zac Robinson/QB/#11/4Jr: Oklahoma State's athletic signal caller has passed for big numbers the past two years while minimizing mistakes. He's an efficient signal caller and an effective lead. Robinson projects as a mid-round selection in 2010.