Rams bowl season preview: Players to watch from every college bowl game

An ultimate Rams guide to College Bowl Season. Which players should you watch before the draft?

The Los Angeles Rams are still in playoff contention, but the NFL draft process is getting started with bowl games already beginning. With over 40 games to be played over the next month, there will be plenty to watch in preparation for the NFL Draft.

From the college football playoff to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, I took a look at every college bowl game this season and listed players that might make sense for the Rams. This list could change with players opting to stay in school or not to play in the game at all. As much as it would be nice for this list to be of players to watch in the game, this is also a list of players to keep an eye on throughout the draft process. This is a good starting point to get us ready for draft season.

College Football Playoff

Indiana vs. Notre Dame (Dec. 20)

• QB Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
• DL CJ West (Indiana)
• S Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)
• DL Howard Cross (Notre Dame)
• QB Riley Leonard (Notre Dame)
• LB Jack Kiser (Notre Dame)

A player like Kurtis Rourke may not be seen as a top quarterback because of his arm, but within 35-yards, he is extremely accurate and has shown that he is not afraid to take a hit. There are some injury concerns with him, but he’s been a big reason for Indiana’s success. There is a player here. Benjamin Morrison will not play due to injury, but he’s a cornerback to watch for the Rams in the first round.

SMU vs. Penn State (Dec. 21)

• TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)
• S Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State)
• RB Nicholas Singleton (Penn State)
• LB Kobe King (Penn State)

Tyler Warren has the potential to be a first round pick and it would not be surprising if McVay fell in love with him. He is very similar to George Kittle in terms of play style, but he can line up everywhere and Penn State uses him in a variety of ways. Drew Allar would be a player to watch, but he has opted to return to school next year.

Clemson vs. Texas (Dec. 21)

• LB Barrett Carter (Clemson)
• DL DeMonte Capehart (Clemson)
• OT Blake Miller (Clemson)
• QB Cade Klubnik (Clemson)
• OT Cameron Williams (Texas)
• WR Isaiah Bond (Texas)
• CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)
• QB Quinn Ewers (Texas)
• iOL Jake Majors (Texas)
• TE Gunnar Helm (Texas)
• S Andrew Mukuba (Texas)

Cameron Williams is the Amarius Mims of this draft. He’s inexperienced and that has shown on tape at times. However, his tools are worth betting on and he has the foot speed which makes those raw traits less of a worry. The Rams may take a tackle in the first round. If they do, Williams would make a lot of sense. They could still sign Alaric Jackson to a one-year deal while having Williams developing further behind him. He could also be a replacement for Rob Havenstein.

Tennessee vs. Ohio State (Dec. 21)

• DL Omarr Norman-Lott (Tenn)
• RB Dylan Sampson (Tenn)
• WR Bru McCoy (Tenn)
• WR Emeka Egbuka (OSU)
• OT Josh Simmons (OSU)
• OT Donovan Jackson (OSU)
• RB Quishon Judkins (OSU)
• CB Denzel Burke (OSU)
• RB TreVeyon Henderson (OSU)
• CB Davison Igbinosun (OSU)
• QB Will Howard (OSU)
• iOL Seth McLaughlin (OSU)

The names that will jump out immediately are Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun. However, both players have been very inconsistent this year. If the Rams go wide receiver in the first round, Egbuka seems like a perfect fit for McVay.

Fiesta Bowl – Boise State vs. TBD (Dec. 31)

• RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise St.)

The Rams will not be in position to draft Jeanty and they probably wouldn’t even if they were. However, Jeanty is exactly the type of running back McVay needs and would add a lot of explosiveness to the backfield.

Peach Bowl – Arizona State vs. TBD (Jan. 1)

• Cameron Skattebo (ASU)

If the Rams went running back on day three, Skattebo could be an option and provides a skillset that the offense doesn’t have currently.

Rose Bowl – Oregon vs. TBD (Jan. 1)

• OT Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon)
• DL Jordan Burch (Oregon)
• WR Evan Stewart (Oregon)
• WR Tez Johnson (Oregon)
• OT Ajani Cornelius (Oregon)
• LB Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon)
• QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
• TE Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)

Even if the Rams do not take a tackle in the first round, they will likely have to take one at some point. Cornelius is good in the run game and is a mid-round tackle that could be developed. If he can show some versatility at the Senior Bowl, he will almost cement himself as a mid-round option.

Sugar Bowl – Georgia vs. TBD (Jan. 1)

• LB Jalon Walker (UGA)
• QB Carson Beck (UGA)
• iOL Tate Ratledge (UGA)
• OT Earnest Greene (UGA)
• iOL Dylan Fairchild (UGA)
• LB Smael Mondon Jr. (UGA)
• iOL Jared Wilson (UGA)
• RB Trevor Etienne (UGA)

Would the Rams add another Georgia quarterback to the mix in Carson Beck. That seems unlikely, but his stock has certainly taken a hit this year. The Rams have gone with a Georgia tackle in the past in Warren McClendon. Earnest Greene is a mid-round option with starting upside. He’s position versatile and has traits to work with.

The Remaining Bowls

Cricket Celebration Bowl – Jackson State vs. South Carolina State (Dec. 14)

• LB Aaron Smith (South Carolina State)

In a game between Jackson State and South Carolina State, there won’t be many players to watch. However, Aaron Smith is one to keep an eye on as a potential day three linebacker option. He had 11 tackles for loss this year.

Salute to Veterans Bowl – South Alabama vs. Western Michigan (Dec. 14)

• CB Bihal Kone (Western Michigan)

The player worth watching in this game will be Bihal Kone. Kone accepted an invited to the Senior Bowl which is a place the Rams have targeted players in the past. The Rams are in need of cornerback depth and Kone will be a day three option.

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl – Memphis vs. West Virginia (Dec. 17)

• WR Roc Taylor (Memphis)
• OT Wyatt Milum (WVU)
• EDGE Sean Martin (WVU)

The player that I’ll be most interested to watch in this game will be Wyatt Milum from West Virginia. PFF has credited him with just eight pressures this season and he is the seventh-highest graded tackle. He’ll be at the Senior Bowl and is set to play in the Mountaineers’ bowl game. Milum projects more as a guard, but could provide some versatility as a day two option.

Boca Raton Bowl – Western Kentucky vs. James Madison (Dec. 18)

• CB Upton Stout (WKU)

Stout is another player that will be in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. The thing that stands out immediately with him is his physicality. He is a physical cornerback that is not afraid to hit despite being just 5’9, 182-pounds.

Art of Sport LA Bowl – Cal vs. UNLV (Dec. 18)

• LB Teddye Buchanan (Cal)
• CB Nohl Williams (Cal)
• RB Jadyn Ott (Cal)
• S Craig Woodson (Cal)
• S Jalen Catalon (UNLV)

There are some late-round draft prospects to keep an eye on in the Sport LA Bowl. However, the biggest name may be Craig Woodson. He will participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl and is a good, tackling safety. Nohl Williams is an intriguing option at cornerback as well.

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl – Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston (Dec. 19)

This is the part of the program where we let you know that there are too many bowl games!

StaffDNA Cure Bowl – Ohio vs. Jacksonville State (Dec. 20)

• iOL Clay Webb (Jacksonville State)

At 290-pounds, Webb is a little light for the interior and he will participate in the Hula Bowl. He will be an underrated prospect throughout the process, but someone to keep an eye on in this game.

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl – Tulane vs. Florida (Dec. 20)

• CB Jason Marshall Jr. (Florida)
• OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (Florida)
• DL Joe Slackman (Florida)
• iOL Jake Slaughter (Florida)
• WR Elijah Badger (Florida)
• DL Cam Jackson (Florida)

Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson and Cam Jackson will both be players participating in the all star games leading up to the NFL Draft. Jackson may be the more intriguing player of the two. He is 6’6, 342-pounds at nose tackle. He transferred from Memphis to Florida and will play in the bowl game. That type of defensive lineman with that size is something that the Rams are missing in the run game.

Myrtle Beach Bowl – Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA (Dec. 23)

• DL Joseph Evans (UTSA)

Evans accepted as invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl and is someone to watch in this one as a potential day-three prospect who will be looking to pick up some steam during the draft process.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State (Dec. 23)

I am once again here to tell you that there are too many bowl games. Unless you like potatoes, you can skip this one.

Hawai’i Bowl – South Florida vs. San Jose State (Dec. 24)

A trip to Hawai’i sounds nice, but no need to watch this bowl game.

Game Above Sports Bowl – Pittsburgh vs. Toledo (Dec. 26)

• TE Gavin Bartholomew (Pitt)
• S Maxen Hook (Toledo)
• S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)
• DL Darius Alexander (Toledo)

Bartholomew, Hook, and Alexander will all be at the Senior Bowl in January. However, the player that I will be watching from this list is Alexander. He is a versatile defensive linemen that made Bruce Feldman’s ‘freak list’ before the season. According to Feldman, Alexander benched 400-pounds, hit 20 mph on the GPS and had a vertical of 30-inches last offseason.

Rate Bowl – Rutgers vs. Kansas State (Dec. 26)

• RB Kyle Monangai (Rutgers)
• OT Hollin Pierce (Rutgers)
• LB Tyreem Powell (Rutgers)
• RB DJ Giddens (K-State)
• CB Jacob Parrish (K-State)

Linebacker Tyreem Powell might be my favorite player of this group. He just recently accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl and is built like an old-school linebacker. He is 6’5, 240-pounds and is an underrated off-ball linebacker heading into the draft process.

Ventures Bowl – Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green (Dec. 26)

• TE Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)

It is very possible that the Rams target a tight end in the draft and there aren’t many better than Fannin Jr. from Bowling Green. He is certainly one to watch this bowl season as the MAC offensive player of the year. He’s good in space and can stretch defenses down the field.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl – Oklahoma vs. Navy (Dec. 27)

• LB Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma)
• S Billy Bowman (Oklahoma)
• WR Deion Burks (Oklahoma)

Danny Stutsman likely won’t be playing in the bowl game, but will be a linebacker to watch in the draft process. In the case that the Rams do add to their safety room, Billy Bowman is a fun player.

Birmingham Bowl – Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 27)

• TE Jackson Hawes (Georgia Tech)
• TE Eli Stowers (Vandy)
• S De’Ricky Write (Vandy)

This is another game where all eyes should be on the tight ends. If the Rams want to add a blocking tight end in the draft with some receiving upside, Hawes from Vanderbilt is an option. He’ll be in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.

Autozone Liberty Bowl – Texas Tech vs. Arkansas (Dec. 27)

• RB Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)
• EDGE Landon Jackson (Arkansas)
• RB Ja’Quinden Jackson (Arkansas)
• DL Eric Gregory (Arkansas)

Jackson may not play in the bowl game as he has declared for the NFL Draft. The other running back to watch will be Tahj Brooks. The Rams need some variety in the backfield and Brooks is option as a bigger running back at 230-pounds.

DirecTV Holiday Bowl – Syracuse vs. Washington State (Dec. 27)

• TE Oronde Gadsden II (Cuse)
• EDGE Fadil Diggs (Cuse)
• QB Kyle McCord (Cuse)
• S Alijah Clark (Cuse)

I went to a few Syracuse football games this season and in both games against UConn and Miami, Gadsen stood out as a pass-catching tight end. He could be an option on day two or three.

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl – Texas A&M vs. USC (Dec. 27)

• DL Shemar Turner (Texas A&M)
• CB Will Lee III (Texas A&M)
• iOL Ar’maj Reed-Adams (Texas A&M)
• RB Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M)
• S Kamari Ramsey (USC)
• iOL Jonah Monheim (USC)
• RB Woody Marks (USC)
• CB Jaylin Smith (USC)
• iOL Emmanuel Pregnon (USC)

Cornerback Jaylin Smith has declared for the draft and may not play in the bowl game. Monheim will be at the Senior Bowl and is one of the more versatile offensive linemen in the draft.

Wasabi Fenway Bowl – UConn vs. UNC (Dec. 28)

• OT Chase Lundt (UConn)
• RB Omarion Hampton (UNC)
• TE Bryson Nesbit (UNC)

I saw Chase Lundt in person when UConn played Syracuse and was not very impressed. He’s a tackle that projects as a guard, but someone that I’ll be excited to watch throughout the draft process.

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl – Boston College vs. Nebraska (Dec. 28)

• EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku (BC)
• OT Ozzy Trapilo (BC)
• DL Cam Horsley (BC)
• DL Ty Robinson (Nebraska)
• CB Tommi Hill (Nebraska)
• WR Isaiah Naylor (Nebraska)
• DL Nash Hutmacher (Nebraska)

Hill is another player that made Feldman’s ‘freak list’. He’s had a down year, but has a 42-inch vertical and runs a 4.3. He may not play as he’s been hurt, but someone to watch throughout the process.

Isleta New Mexico Bowl – Louisiana vs. TCU (Dec. 28)

• WR Savion Williams (TCU)
• WR Jack Bech (TCU)

The Rams have drafted out of TCU heavily in recent years. With a need at wide receiver, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them take a look at Savion Williams. Williams is a unique player and provides some of the explosiveness that the Rams offense has lacked. He is 6’3, 225-pounds and can do a lot.

Pop-Tarts Bowl – Iowa State vs. Miami (Dec. 28)

• CB Darien Porter (Iowa State)
• WR Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)
• WR Jaylin Noel (Iowa State)
• QB Cam Ward (Miami)
• WR Xavier Restrepo (Miami)
• DL Simeon Barrow Jr. (Miami)
• EDGE Tyler Baron (Miami)
• TE Elijah Arroyo (Miami)
• OT Jalen Rivers (Miami)
• LB Francisco Mauigoa (Miami)

A surprising development in this game is that Cam Ward is expected to play for the Hurricanes in their bowl game. The Rams are in the market for a quarterback, but Ward may be out of reach. Mauigoa is a linebacker to watch as potential day three option.

Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl – Miami (OH) vs. Colorado State (Dec. 28)

• WR Tory Horton (CSU)

It is very possible that Tory Horton ends up being one of my favorite players during the draft process. If he ends up playing in this game after dealing with an injury recently, he’s someone worth watching in this game. The Rams need a wide receiver and he could be available in the third round.

Go Bowling Military Bowl – East Carolina vs. NC State (Dec. 28)

• OT Anthony Belton (NC State)

With Revel Jr. not playing in this game, this one can be passed on. However, Revel Jr. will be a name to watch this spring for the Rams as one of the top cornerbacks in the draft class.

Valero Alamo Bowl – BYU vs. Colorado (Dec. 28)

• S Shilo Sanders (Colorado)
• WR Will Sheppard (Colorado)

Shadeur Sanders and Travis Hunter likely won’t play in this game and the Rams won’t be in position to take either. Sheppard and Shilo Sanders may not player either, however, they will be the names to watch in the draft process.

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl – Louisiana Tech vs. Army (Dec. 28)

With the entirety of Marshall’s team entering the transfer portal, they were replaced by Louisiana Tech. This game can be skipped.

Transperfect Music City Bowl – Iowa vs. Missouri (Dec. 30)

• RB Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
• CB Jermari Harris (Iowa)
• S Sebastian Castro (Iowa)
• LB Jay Higgins (Iowa)
• iOL Connor Colby (Iowa)
• TE Luke Lachey (Iowa)
• S Xavier Nwankpa (Iowa)
• WR Luther Burden III (Mizzou)
• OT Armand Membou (Mizzou)
• WR Theo Wease (Mizzou)

Sebastian Castro is more of a nickel cornerback than a safety, but a fun player nonetheless. He no Cooper Dejean, but still a playmaker. He’ll be at the Senior Bowl. Luther Burden III fits the type of wide receiver that the Rams typically like. He’s a potential first round option.

Reliaquest Bowl – Alabama vs. Michigan (Dec. 31)

• QB Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
• iOL Tyler Booker (Alabama)
• LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama)
• LB Deonae Lawson (Alabama)
• S Malachi Moore (Alabama)
• CB Domani Jackson (Alabama)
• iOL Jaeden Roberts (Alabama)
• S Keon Sabb (Alabama)
• DL Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
• TE Colston Loveland (Michigan)
• S Rod Moore (Michigan)
• RB Kalel Mullings (Michigan)
• LB Jaishawn Barham (Michigan)
• RB Donovan Edwards (Michigan)

Colston Loveland is exactly the type of tight end that Sean McVay would draft in the first round. He’s a great receiver and nuanced route-runner with the understanding of different leverages. It would not be surprising if Loveland is drafted by the Rams in April.

Jihaad Campbell will be playing in this game at linebacker. That will be a huge position of need for the Rams and he’s someone to watch.

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl – Louisville vs. Washington (Dec. 31)

• CB Quincy Riley (Louisville)
• WR Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville)
• RB Jonah Coleman (Washington)

It would be surprising if the Rams didn’t put an emphasis on the cornerback position in the draft. Quincy Riley will play in the Senior Bowl and is a playmaker. He’s a fast player with ball skills which is what the Rams like at the cornerback position.

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl – South Carolina vs. Illinois (Dec. 31)

• S Nick Emmanwori (SCar)
• DL T.J. Sanders (SCar)
• RB Raheim Sanders (SCar)
• DL Tonka Hemingway (SCar)
• LB Demetrius Knight (SCar)
• CB O’Donnell Fortune (SCar)
• S Xavier Scott (Illinois)
• WR Pat Bryant (Illinois)

Back in 2021, the Rams drafted Ernest Jones out of South Carolina at linebacker. Could they take his replacement also from South Carolina? Knight will be at the Senior Bowl and a name to watch this spring.

Kinder’s Texas Bowl – Baylor vs. LSU (Dec. 31)

• OT Will Campbell (LSU)
• OT Emery Jones Jr. (LSU)
• LB Harold Perkins (LSU)
• TE Mason Taylor (LSU)
• WR Kyren Lacy (LSU)
• CB Zy Alexander (LSU)
• iOL Garrett Dellinger (LSU)
• iOL Miles Frazier (LSU)
• LB Greg Penn III (LSU)

LSU has one of the more talented offensive lines in college football. If the Rams are in position to draft Will Campbell, he’s someone they would almost certainly have to consider. The same goes for Emery Jones. Perkins is talented at linebacker. Zy Alexander has had a good season as well at cornerback.

Taxslayer Gator Bowl – Duke vs. Ole Miss (Jan. 2)

• CB Chandler Rivers (Duke)
• DL Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
• WR Tre Harris (Ole Miss)
• CB Tre Amos (Ole Miss)
• LB Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss)
• QB Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
• WR Antwane Wells Jr (Ole Miss)

Quarterback Jaxson Dart will be playing in this bowl game and he will be someone to watch for the Rams. Dart didn’t have a great season, but he could be someone to sit behind Stafford for a year and develop. The player to watch in this game though will be cornerback Tre Harris. He’s underrated right now, but his stock could rise as more people find out about him.

Servpro First Responder Bowl – North Texas vs. Texas State (Jan. 3)

Shout out to the first responders, but the fact that there are too many bowl games still remains.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl – Minnesota vs. Virginia (Jan. 3)

• OT Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)
• CB Justin Walley (Minnesota)
• S Joan Sanker (UVA)

Ersery is not my favorite tackle prospect, but it’s hard to deny the physical attributes that are there. If the Rams want to go tackle, he is certainly an option.

Bahamas Bowl – Buffalo vs. Liberty

The Bahamas are probably great this time of year, but this is another bowl game we can skip over.