Scouting 2010 NFL Draft prospects playing in the non-BCS bowl games

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

USC's Stanley Havili is considered to be one of the top fullback prospects in the draft. Getty Images

The college bowl season has kicked off in earnest and offers another phase of scouting for NFL franchises. Much of the focus will be on the high-profile players over the next three weeks but NFL scouts are just as interested in the talent not as well-known to football fans. Here's a list of legitimate NFL prospects who scouts will be closely monitoring in non-BCS contests: (*denotes underclassmen)

Robert Johnson/S/Utah: Johnson was not graded by NFL scouts coming into the season, yet could end up as a top 100 pick next April. His range in centerfield is impressive as Johnson is a complete safety with terrific ball skills in coverage as well as an aggressive nature defending the run. He'll have his work cut out for him in the Poinsettia Bowl against Cal's potent passing game.

Kevin Basped*/DE/Nevada: Basped is one-half of Nevada's pass rushing duo that terrorizes opposing QBs with regularity. His totals this season include a team leading 7.5 sacks as well as 10.5 tackles for loss. Basped is expected to enter April's draft and would like to leave on a high note in the Hawaii Bowl where Nevada is pitted against SMU and the high-flying offense of June Jones.

Taylor Price/WR/Ohio: Price has been Ohio's top receiver the past two years and possesses the size/speed numbers scouts want in a No. 1 wideout. He's rough around the edges and needs to polish his game, but Price is a prospect who could end up in the first half of the draft if he continues to prove his worth. He'll have another opportunity to showcase his skills against a porous Marshall defense in the Little Caesars Bowl.

Mick Williams/DT/Pittsburgh: The Panthers have an abundance of quality on the defensive side of the ball and it's easy for a player like Williams to get lost in the shuffle. The hard-charging senior is well thought of in scouting circles and Williams is a high motor defender who plays with great quickness. He was graded as a free agent entering the season but has since moved into the late rounds. North Carolina's stout offensive line will offer Williams another challenge in the Meineke Bowl.

Stanley Havili*/FB/USC: Fullbacks rarely cause excitement in scouting circles, but Havili is one of two from the Pac-10 who has scouts buzzing. He's a triple threat, excelling as a lead blocker, pass catcher or ball carrier. Havili has the skills to play in a variety of offensive schemes at the next level. He'll be a big part of the Trojans offense against Boston College in the Emerald Bowl.

Jarvis Jenkins*/DL/Clemson: The Clemson program has a history of putting talented defensive lineman into the NFL and Jenkins looks like the next big prospect. He's a tremendous athlete with outstanding size and the ability to line up at defensive tackle or as a two-gap end. The Kentucky Wildcats offensive line will have their work cut out for them trying to slow down Jenkins in the Music City Bowl.

Von Miller*/OLB-DE/Texas A&M: Miller has been a pass-terror for the Aggies and is considered by scouts to be one of the Big 12's better defensive players after Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy. His 21 tackles for loss and 17 sacks ranks amongst the best in the nation. Scouts expect Miller to enter the draft where he'll be a top 60 pick. During the Independence Bowl he has an opportunity to feast on a Georgia offensive line that's been inconsistent all season.

Allen Bailey*/DL/Miami-Fla: Bailey is the third defensive prospect from the ranks of the underclassmen with potential at several positions. The athletic lineman has the size to play at tackle as well as the strength to hold down the defensive end position in the NFL. He'll have to earn his wage against Wisconsin's traditionally strong offensive line during the Champs Sports Bowl.

Steve Maneri/TE/Temple: Maneri moves towards the 2010 NFL Draft as the highest rated blocking tight end on draft boards. Scouts also think the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Maneri is a prospect at offensive tackle. Maneri's next task is slowing down the opportunistic UCLA defense as Temple makes its long awaited return to the postseason in the EagleBank Bowl.