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 Cheez-It Bowl.
Jordan Kunaszyk (Photo by gangreennation.com)
Jordan Kunaszyk, LB
Kunaszyk has been one of the best tacklers in all of college football this season and has helped to lead a very good defense. In his career, Kunaszyk has 250 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three interceptions, three passes defended, two fumbles recovered and six forced fumbles. This season, he has 129 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, three passes defended, one fumble recovery and five forced fumbles.
He is 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, which is good size for an NFL linebacker. His tackling ability and his ability to create turnovers make him an intriguing prospect.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
Patrick Laird, RB
Laird has received a lot of carries over the last two seasons. He has 2,127 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in his career. This season, Laird has rushed for 935 yards and five touchdowns. Laird has also shown proficiency as a receiver with 98 catches for 611 yards and five touchdowns in his time at Cal.
At 6-foot and 205 pounds, Laird has good size for an NFL running back. His production this season wasn’t as good in 2017, which will hurt his draft status a bit.
Projected draft range: Sixth round-undrafted free agent
Steven Coutts, P
Couts started his career at Louisiana before transferring to Cal. He has 191 punts for an average of 42.7 yards. This season he 63 punts for an average of 41.8 yards.
Ben Banogu, DE/OLB
Banogu played at UL Monroe for his first season, then transferred to TCU. In his career, Banogu has 151 total tackles, 44 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and seven forced fumbles. In 2018 he has 52 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
He has good size at 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds. His ability to stop the run will be noted by NFL evaluators, even if it isn’t the flashiest trait.
Projected draft range: Fourth-sixth round
Ty Summers (gofrogs.com)
Ty Summers, LB
Summers is probable for this game with an undisclosed injury, but has been a leader on this defense for his whole career. At TCU, he has recorded 314 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and two interceptions. This year, Summers has 43 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in nine games played.
He has ok size at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds and is one of the most experienced linebackers in the class.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
L.J. Collier, DE
Collier has experience at both defensive end and defensive tackle. He has 78 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and five passes defended. For his senior season, he has tallied 38 total tackles, 9.5 total tackles and five sacks.
At 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, Collier will look like a lot of NFL defensive ends.
Projected draft range: Fifth round-seventh round
Make sure to check out our college football page for more updates and rankings.
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