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 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.
Zach Allen, DE
Allen has been making headlines for the Eagles over the last two seasons for his tremendous play. He has 199 total tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, two interceptions, 14 passes defended, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in his career. This season, Allen has 61 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
He has great size at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, which will allow him to fit into multiple schemes. Although this isn’t the most important thing for NFL evaluators, Allen is one of the best defensive ends at stopping the run in this class.
Projected draft range: First round pick
Chris Lindstrom (photo by telegram.com)
Chris Lindstrom, OG
Lindstrom has played both guard and tackle at the college level, but will likely be moved to guard in the NFL. He has started since his sophomore season, although he has gotten playing time dating back to his freshman season. He was named All-ACC second team in 2017 and received first-team honors in 2018.
His size is one reason he will likely play guard in the NFL, as he is 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds. He has ample experience run blocking at Boston College.
Projected draft range: Second round-fourth round
Will Harris, S
He wasn’t really on the radar for NFL teams before the season, but his play this season has improved his stock a lot. For his career, he has 225 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, seven passes defended, six fumble recoveries, one fumble forced and one touchdown. This season he has totaled 75 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and two fumble recoveries.
At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Harris has great size for a safety.
Projected draft range: Third round-fifth round
Tommy Sweeney, TE
Sweeney was listed among the top NFL Draft prospects before the season began and has held his status. He has 99 receptions for 1,281 yards and 10 touchdowns at Boston College. In 2018, Sweeney has hauled in 32 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns.
He has solid size for an NFL tight end at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. His lack of touchdowns may look bad as a tight end, but Boston College runs the ball a lot in the red zone.
Projected draft range: Third round-fifth round
Lukas Denis, S
Denis was the more highly-touted safety at the start of the season and is a solid prospect. In his career, he has 139 total tackles, nine interceptions and 16 passes defended. This season he has 49 total tackles, one interception and two passes defended.
He will have to play free safety at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, but he has good range. NFL scouts will need to go back to his 2017 tape to really see his ball-hawking skills, as he had seven interceptions that season.
Projected draft range: Fourth round-sixth round
Brett Rypien (photo by rivals.com)
Brett Rypien, QB
Most four-year starters at the FBS level will get NFL looks and Rypien is no different. He has 13,578 passing yards, 90 touchdowns and 29 interceptions on 64% completion in his illustrious career. This season he has thrown for 3,705 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven touchdowns on 67.3% completion.
Rypien has below average size for an NFL quarterback at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds. He also has NFL bloodlines, as his uncle Mark Rypien was a Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Washington Redskins.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
Jabril Frazier, DE/OLB
Frazier has improved every season at Boise State. For his career, Frazier has 138 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, four passes defended, one fumble recovery and three fumbles forced. In 2018, Frazier has 50 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
He has decent height at 6-foot-4, but will need to add weight to his 238-pound frame to be effective against NFL offensive linemen.
Projected draft range: Sixth round-undrafted free agent
Make sure to check out our college football page for more updates and rankings.
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