By Shawn Spencer @Spencer_NFL on December 17, 2014
Top 10 NFL Draft Prospects Not In Bowl Games
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
College football bowl season is about to begin. Over the next three weeks, 76 teams will participate in bowls. With so many games and teams to watch, it can be easy to forget about the stars on teams that were not invited to bowl games. So here are the top 10 NFL Draft prospects among the teams that did not make a bowl game.
10. Jaquiski Tartt (S-Samford)
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
10. Jaquiski Tartt (S-Samford)
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
At 7-4, Samford will not be playing in a bowl game because the Bulldogs are a member of the FCS. Safety Jaquiski Tartt finished second on the team with 62 tackles, including 11 against TCU. He currently plays free safety but is better suited for the strong safety role in the NFL. He's narrowly ahead of Harvard LB Zack Hodges as the top FCS prospect and is just outside of my top 100 overall. A strong Senior Bowl could push his stock even higher.
9. Travis Raciti (DT-San Jose State)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
9. Travis Raciti (DT-San Jose State)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Raciti can play in any system. He's lined up at multiple positions in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. His best position is as a DT in a 4-3 front, as he had a career-high 72 tackles in that spot this season. Raciti is a solid tackler and plays aggressive. His versatility will be an asset to whichever team drafts him. He's No. 95 on my board and will have a chance to play tougher competition at the East-West Shrine Game.
8. Kevin Johnson (CB-Wake Forest)
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
8. Kevin Johnson (CB-Wake Forest)
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Johnson is a player I move up the board every time I watch him. While he won't play another game for Wake Forest, the Senior Bowl will give him one more chance to impress on the field. He's not the flashiest player or the hardest hitting, but he always seems to be in control. Johnson is one of the best cover corners in this draft class and could entice a team to draft him earlier than expected. He's No. 94 on my board at this time.
7. Isaac Seumalo (C-Oregon State)
Getty Images
7. Isaac Seumalo (C-Oregon State)
Getty Images
Oregon State center Isaac Seumalo makes the list even though he hasn't played all season. A broken foot suffered last December hasn't healed and he was forced to take a redshirt. Even after the time off, Seumalo is one of the top centers in the game. If he does declare and his medical records check out, he could be a Round 3 pick. He's the No. 3 center on the board and No. 87 overall.
6. D'Joun Smith (CB-Florida Atlantic)
Michael Thomas Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
6. D'Joun Smith (CB-Florida Atlantic)
Michael Thomas Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
D'Joun Smith has been avoided as much as any CB in the country this year. After finishing second in the nation with 20 passes defended and third with seven interceptions last year, quarterbacks aren't even attempting to throw his way this year. In 11 games this season, Smith only had one interception. Unfortunately he missed the Alabama game which would have seen him match up with Amari Cooper. His true test will be at this year's Senior Bowl.
5. Lorenzo Doss (CB-Tulane)
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
5. Lorenzo Doss (CB-Tulane)
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
2014 was a year Tulane fans would like to forget. The Green Wave finished the season 3-9 and only made the headlines when QB Nick Montana spiked the ball on fourth down. The junior has 15 career interceptions to go along with 20 pass breakups. If he does declare for the draft, Doss should be a third-round pick. The downside is teams haven't seen Doss match up against a top WR, and as a junior, he's not eligible for postseason All-Star events.
4. Anthony Harris (S-Virginia)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
4. Anthony Harris (S-Virginia)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Harris doesn't receive the recognition other top safeties do, but he's a name to watch as the draft approaches. Behind Landon Collins and Derron Smith, Harris is the No. 3 safety on my board. He led the nation in interceptions in 2013 due to his long arms and coverage skills. This season he only picked off two passes but defended 10. His knack for finding the ball is also evident in the run game as he finished 2014 with 108 tackles.
3. Tevin Coleman (RB-Indiana)
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
3. Tevin Coleman (RB-Indiana)
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
The nation's second-leading rusher is expected to enter the 2015 draft. Only Coleman and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon eclipsed 2,000 yards rushing this year. After gaining at least 100 yards in 11 of 12 games and over 200 yards four times, Coleman has been flying up the draft board. Even more impressive, he faced loaded boxes all year due to a lack of a passing game. He is my No. 3 RB and could be a late Round 2 pick.
2. Devin Funchess (WR-Michigan)
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
2. Devin Funchess (WR-Michigan)
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Now we get to the Round 1 talent. With the direction of the Michigan program in question, the decision to leave early was an easy one for Funchess. After playing TE last season, he moved to WR this year and put up similar numbers. Other than DeVante Parker, Funchess may have the largest catch radius of any college WR. He's also surprisingly elusive and agile for someone 230 pounds. Currently the No. 4 WR on my board, he should be a Round 1 pick.
1. Alvin Dupree (DE/OLB-Kentucky)
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
1. Alvin Dupree (DE/OLB-Kentucky)
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
The top player on a team that didn't make a bowl game is Kentucky DE/OLB hybrid Alvin "Bud" Dupree. Dupree comes in at No. 22 on the big board. He is an explosive pass rusher who is also solid in the run game. His tape alone makes him a first-round pick, but his athletic ability and measurements he should display at the combine could move him into the top half of Round 1. If a team needs a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB, he would be an excellent choice.
Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com . Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
Related: NFL Draft Guide To Every Bowl Game
Connor Cook Smart To Return To Michigan State