The Outback Bowl doesn’t have the most prospects, but there are a lot of players that will go in the first rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. Both teams specialize in defense and have the prospects to back that up. These are the best prospects in the Outback Bowl:
Florida Gators
Jalen Tabor, CB
Projected Draft Range: First round
Some believe that Tabor is better than former teammate Vernon Hargreaves III, who was drafted by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. Tabor is a shut down corner, but has good ball skills when the ball is thrown his way. He is well built at six feet and 201 pounds.
Jarrad Davis, LB
Projected Draft Range: First round-second round
Davis has battled injuries this season, but is still one of the best linebacker prospects in the class. In nine games he had 60 total tackles with six for loss. He is good at stopping the run, but needs to work on his coverage skills to stay on the field for three downs in the NFL.
Caleb Brantley, DT
Projected Draft Range: First round-second round
If teams want a run stopping defensive tackle Brantley should be their choice. He sheds blockers with relative ease and gets to the ball carrier. Brantley is even able to take on double teams and still get the stop. The area of his game he needs to work on is his pass rushing. He has recorded just 1.5 sacks this season.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Desmond King, CB
Projected Draft Range: First round-second round
King has some of the best ball skills in the class and had eight interceptions in 2015. That season he even won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back. He has added value in the return game. King’s speed has come into question by some NFL teams. There is even rumblings of him moving to safety in the NFL.
Jaleel Johnson, DT
Projected Draft Range: Second round-fourth round
Johnson is a good run stopper as a defensive tackle, but is surprisingly a great pass rusher from the interior too. He has 7.5 sacks this season. Johnson has great size at six feet three inches and 310 pounds. His pass rushing ability may help him move up draft boards.
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