The Music City Bowl kicks off at 7:00 p.m. eastern time on December 30. The game is a matchup between the Texas A&M Aggies (8-4) and the Louisville Cardinals (7-5). The Aggies will have a new starting quarterback for this game after not one, but two of their top quarterbacks transferred away from the school earlier this month. Both Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray have moved on, leaving Jake Hubenak to be the starting quarterback in this game.
If that isn't reason enough to watch, here are the five NFL Draft prospects to keep your eye on in the Music City Bowl.
Texas A&M Aggies
OT # 74 Germain Ifedi 6' 5" 325 lbs
Ifedi is a large man who is tough to move off his spot. He has started 36 games on the line and was named to the All-SEC Second team this season. He was rated a second round selection prior to the 2015 NFL Draft but decided to return for another year to College Station. His stock slightly improved, currently ranked as the No. 5 OT according to CBSSports, he has a chance to be selected in the first round which would mark the fourth straight year that an Aggie offensive lineman gets drafted in the first round.
Draft Selection: Rounds 1-2
Team Selection: Detroit Lions (if he falls to round 2)
C # 56 Mike Matthews 6' 2" 290 lbs
Another Matthews, yes from that Matthews clan. Played in 42 games at Texas A&M, but this Matthews isn't as highly touted as his brother before him. Matthews should get drafted, maybe on bloodline alone but will be a late round pick.
Draft Selection: Round 7
Team Selection: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (center is a big priority for Chargers this offseason)
P # 38 Drew Kaser 6' 3" 210 lbs
Yes, a punter. But the top punter in the nation to be exact. Selected to the All-SEC First Team and one of the top collegiate punters in college football history. Kaser is averaging 47.9 yards per punt this season and 46.3 for his career, which is tops in the history of college football.
Draft Selection: Round 5-7
Team Selection: Minnesota Vikings (Jeff Locke was the worst punter in the league last season)
Louisville Cardinals
DL # 98 Sheldon Rankins 6' 1" 303 lbs (2015 Stats: 53 TKL, 12 TFL, 6 Sacks)
Rankins is a powerful lineman who has the athletic ability to line up both inside and outside at the end positions. He showed off his athletic ability on a 46-yard fumble return touchdown earlier this season. Rankins is a disruptive force on the line and going up against Ifedi is going to be a very telling matchup for both players.
Draft Projection: Late 1st-Late 2nd
Team Projection: Baltimore Ravens (fits a need)
OLB/DE Devonte Fields 6' 4" 254 lbs (2015 Stats: 56 TKL, 19.5 TFL, 8 Sacks)
Fields started his career at TCU before transferring to Louisville. He flashes great technique and the athletic ability to drop his shoulder and win the battle on the edge. He has all sorts of ability on the field, but unfortunately the off-field issues is a concern for Fields. Something that we see way too much of in the NFL already today.
Draft Projection: Rounds 5-Undrafted (off field issues a real concern)
Team Projection: Dallas Cowboys (this team takes chances; see Greg Hardy, Rolando Mclain, Randy Gregory, Joseph Randle)
Back to the NCAA Newsfeed