The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2021 Cure Bowl.
Northern Illinois Huskies Draft Prospects
Clint Ratkovich, RB
Ratkovich has spent just one season at Northern Illinois, but has made a name for himself. He has 98 carries for 448 yards and 12 touchdowns. His ability as a pass-catcher was on display as well with him having 13 catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Before his time at Northern Illinois, he was a two-time all-conference player for Western Illinois of the FCS level.
At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Ratkovich is a power back. He may be able to play some fullback or H-back at the next level. Ratkovich has shown good versatility and production. If a team can use him as creatively as Northern Illinois has, he can be successful. He is currently projected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Marques Cox, OT
Northern Illinois has started Cox at left tackle for the last three seasons and he has performed decently well. He redshirted in 2018, which was his first season on campus. In 2019, he stepped into the starting lineup at left tackle for 10 games. He has not left the lineup since.
Cox has good size for an NFL lineman at 6-foot-6 and 306 pounds. He was not recognized by the MAC for his play on any of the all-conference teams. His experience, measurables and solid play are there still. He could go back to school for a few more years, as he is just a redshirt sophomore at the moment.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects:Â OG/C Braydon Patton (UFA)
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Draft Prospects
Isaiah Likely, TE
Likely has improved every single season he has been on Coastal Carolina’s campus. He has 126 receptions, 1,954 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in his career. This season he has posted career-highs in all categories with 52 receptions for 816 yards and 10 touchdowns. His play has helped Coastal Carolina have two straight double-digit win seasons.
He won’t be the biggest tight end in the league at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, but he is big enough. Likely moves well and can present a matchup problem for defenses. He’ll need to continue working on his blocking to really be useful at the next level.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Grayson McCall, QB
McCall has been one of the more efficient players in college football over his career. In three seasons as the Chanticleers’ quarterback, McCall has passed for 5,071 yards, 50 touchdowns and six interceptions on 71 percent completion. For the 2021 season, he had to miss a few games due to an upper-buddy injury, but still produced 2,558 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and three interceptions on 73.3 percent completion. McCall has also demonstrated the ability to run the ball decently well with 827 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, McCall is big enough to be an NFL quarterback. He has great mobility and can extend plays with his legs. To go with that, he has been a very accurate passer. McCall will still have a few years of eligibility left, so he may return to school. If he does enter the draft, he could be a mid to late round pick.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects:Â EDGE Jeffrey Gunter (4th-6th), DT Josaiah Stewart (6th-UFA)
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