Tag: Bowl Prospects

Potential Chargers prospects to watch: Bowl Game Preview, December 22

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists the prospects that could be on Los Angeles’ radar in the bowl games played on December 22.

The majority of the attention in regards to the Chargers has shifted to the offseason, with only two games left to be played.

With college football bowl games kicking off this week, now is a good time to take a look at what each game has to offer in terms of 2021 NFL draft prospects that could be on Los Angeles’ radar.

To give you all a preview of what to expect this week, I will break down each bowl game taking place and give a quick breakdown of some of the players that might intrigue L.A.

Let’s start with the games taking place on Dec. 22.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Tulane vs. Nevada, 1:30 p.m. PT on ESPN

Tulane has done a nice job of shipping players off to the next level, with the likes of Bears’ Darnell Mooney and Jets’ Tanzel Smart, among others. This year, the Green Wave boasts a pair of pass rushers that would be solid additions by Los Angeles, Patrick Johnson (#7) and Cameron Sample (#5). Unfortunately, Johnson, a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection that had 10 sacks this year, won’t be playing in the bowl game. His teammate, however, will be. Sample finished the 2020 season with 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks to go along with 50 quarterback pressures. He is a bit of a tweener, size wise, but he competes with the quick hands, energy and toughness that translates to production the next level. Nevada has two offensive players that are considered draftable, including wide receiver Romeo Doubs (#7). Doubs is a good-sized wideout who has the speed and tracking ability to make plays at the next level.

Boca Raton Bowl: UCF vs. BYU, 6:00 p.m. PT on ESPN

UCF has a couple of guys on the defensive side of the ball that could appeal to the Bolts, starting with arguably their top prospect, cornerback Aaron Robinson (#31). Robinson, the 6-foot and 193 pounder has the reactive athleticism and closing speed to be a solid corner either on the inside or outside. Should the Chargers look to add more depth to the free safety position, Richie Grant (#27) is an intriguing option. Grant is a rangy, deep-zone safety who has the speed, ball skills and tackling ability to make it at the next level.

Meanwhile, BYU is rich with talented players that have gone under the radar, most notably offensive tackle Brady Christensen (#67). Christensen, Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked left tackle, has the pass blocking chops, run blocking prowess and athleticism to project as a starter at the next level, but his anchor ability and hand use needs work. The Cougars also boast two other offensive linemen that have NFL potential, right tackle Chandon Herring (#77) and center James Empey (#66). Herring was featured in Bruce Feldman’s 2020 list of the 50 freakiest athletes in college football, having bench pressed 410, power cleaned 380 and snatched 285. Herring is a quick, reactive athlete that possesses footwork and lateral-movement skills for the next level. Both Christensen and Herring are capable of playing guard, too. Empey has a quality combination of athleticism, movement skills, and instincts. On defense, Los Angeles might benefit from adding someone like nose tackle Khyiris Tonga (#95) to play behind Linval Joseph. Tonga is a massive gap eater who wins with his quickness and explosion. He has good range and is stout versus the run.