The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. The bowl season schedule allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2018 Holiday Bowl.
Clayton Thorson, QB
Thorson started off his career as a player who would come in at quarterback to run, but is now a decent passer. He has 10,490 passing yards, 59 touchdowns and 44 interceptions on 58.2% completion. In 2018, Thorson has thrown for 2,942 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions on 60.4% completion.
At 6-foot-4 and 226 pounds, he is well-built for a quarterback. In a bad quarterback class, Thorson has a chance to be selected on day two of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Projected draft range: Third round-fifth round
Joe Gaziano (Photo by rivals.com)
Joe Gaziano, DE
Gaziano has been making plays for the Northwestern defense since the 2016 season. At Northwestern he has 100 total tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 9 passes defended, two fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. This season he has 41 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes defended, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
He stands 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, showing the necessary size for a draft prospect at his position. He is specifically tough against the run and could show better pass rushing skills.
Projected draft range: Third round-fifth round
Montre Hartage, CB
Hartage has been a good ball-hawking corner for Northwestern for three seasons. He has 172 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, 26 passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. For his senior season, he has 51 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 11 passes defended and one fumble recovered.
He has ok size for a corner at 6-foot and 196 pounds. Hartage will be a candidate to be selected in the middle rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Projected draft range: Third round-fifth round
Other Northwestern Wildcats draft prospects: OLB Nate Hall (Fourth round-sixth round)
Chase Hansen (photo by slttrib.com)
Chase Hansen, S/LB
Hansen has been a good player in his career, but has really elevated his play this season. At Utah, he has 270 total tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, six interceptions, two touchdowns, 16 passes defended, five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. In his senior season, he has 114 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, one touchdown, four passes defended and one fumble recovery.
He has decent size for a linebacker and great size for a safety at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. Hansen is versatile, as he has been a quarterback, safety and linebacker.
Projected draft range: Third round-fifth round
Marquise Blair, S
Blair has only played at Utah for two seasons, but has been one of their best players. He has 97 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception, four passes defended, one touchdown, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. In 2018, Blair has 50 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two passes defended and one forced fumble.
At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Blair has good size for a safety. Blair is a candidate to be a mid-round selection in the upcoming draft.
Projected draft range: Fourth round-sixth round
Jackson Barton, OT
Ever since Garrett Bolles left for the NFL, Jackson Barton has been playing left tackle for the Utes. He has been a stalwart on the line and made the All-Pac 12 first team. He has good experience run blocking and also has pass blocked a bit in Utah’s offense.
He looks like a tackle at 6-foot-7 and 313 pounds. Barton will be selected in the later rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
Other Utah Utes draft prospects: K Matt Gay (Fifth round-seventh round), P Mitch Wishnowsky (Fifth round-seventh round)
Make sure to check out our college football page for more updates and rankings.
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
