In this final column of the season, we’ll look at the top 5 Bowl-bound senior draft prospects at each position. Then we will also look at a player or two at each position who may be Patriots-type picks next spring. We hope you find it interesting and valuable as the Bowl season descends upon us. Thank you for another year of readership and Patriots Daily will be on the scene as usual with Combine and Draft coverage when those events come around.

Quarterback

1. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech, #6 (Cotton Bowl vs. Ole Miss, 2PM FOX January 2nd)

2. Tom Brandstater, Fresno State, #7 (New Mexico Bowl vs. Colorado St., 2:30PM ESPN December 20th)

3. Cullen Harper, Clemson, #10 (Gator Bowl vs. Nebraska, 1:00 PM CBS January 1st)

4. Drew Willy, Buffalo, #16 (International Bowl vs. Connecticut, Noon ESPN January 3rd)

5. Mike Teel, Rutgers, #14 (Birmingham Bowl vs. North Carolina State, 3:00 PM ESPN December 29th)

Patriots potential - John Parker Wilson, Alabama, #14 (Sugar Bowl vs. Utah, 8:00 PM FOX January 2nd). Wilson is a smart leader who makes few mistakes. His arm has improved and he is accurate. Has been a great game manager for Belichick friend Nick Saban. With Matt Cassel moving on, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they look for a mid-round quarterback again and Wilson could be a guy who fits their offense.

Running Back

1. Andre Brown, North Carolina State, #24 (Birmingham Bowl vs. Rutgers, 3:00 PM ESPN December 29th)

2. James Davis, Clemson, #1 (Gator Bowl vs. Nebraska, 1:00 PM CBS January 1st)

3. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon #24 (Holiday Bowl vs. Oklahoma State 8:00 ESPN December 30th)

4. Ian Johnson, Boise State, #41 (Poinsettia Bowl vs. TCU, 8:00 PM ESPN December 23rd)

5. Javon Ringer, Michigan State, #23 (Capital One Bowl vs. Georgia, 1:00 PM ABC January 1st)

Patriots potential - I like a kid out of South Florida named Ben Williams (#30), who was originally a walk on. He does it all - runs, blocks and catches. Only 5′7″, Williams is most likely a late round pick, but he is a good player and could be a sleeper the Pats find undrafted or in the last round or two. Along those lines, I also like Kestahn Moore (#33) from Florida. Moore is a rugged bruiser of a runner who is somewhat miscast in Florida’s spread offense. I think he could be a solid role player in the NFL and perhaps a better player there than at Florida, where he has been surpassed by speedier, spread type backs. But he has talent, which is how he ended up at Florida to begin with, and could be a great late round sleeper.

Wide Receiver

1. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma, #9 (BCS Championship Game vs. Florida, 8:00 PM FOX January 8th)

2. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia, #1 (Capital One Bowl vs. Michigan State, 1:00 PM ABC January 1st)

3. Louis Murphy, Florida, #9 (BCS Championship Game vs. Oklahoma, 8:00 PM FOX January 8th)

4. Derrick Williams, Penn State, #2 (Rose Bowl vs. USC, 4:30 PM ABC January 1st)

5. Jordon Shipley, Texas, #8 (Fiesta Bowl vs. Ohio State, 8:00 PM FOX January 5th)

Patriots potential - Andy Brodell from Iowa, #80, has great speed, can return kicks, cover kicks and is a great playmaker on offense. He has had some injuries, but he’s a tough, good player who has played for Belichick friend Kirk Ferentz.

Tight End

1. Chase Coffman, Missouri, #45 (Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern, 8:00 PM ESPN December 29th)

2. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State, #8 (Holiday Bowl vs. Oregon, 8:00 ESPN December 30th)

3. Bear Pascoe, Fresno State, #85 (New Mexico Bowl vs. Colorado St., 2:30PM ESPN December 20th)

4. Nick Walker, Alabama, #88 (Sugar Bowl vs. Utah, 8:00 PM FOX January 2nd)

5. Dan Gronkowski, Maryland, #13 (Humanitarian Bowl vs. Nevada, 4:30 PM ESPN December 30th)

Patriots potential - Brandon Pettigrew. A talented, all-around player. As a receiver, Coffman reminds me somewhat of Jets rookie Dustin Keller. But I would think the Patriots would want a better blocker than Keller, pointing them towards Pettigrew, a massive 260 lb. guy who can run.

Offensive Line

1. C Alex Mack, California, #51 (Emerald Bowl vs. Miami, 8:00 PM ESPN December 27th)

2. G Duke Robinson, Oklahoma, #72 (BCS Championship Game vs. Florida, 8:00 PM FOX January 8th)

3. G Herman Johnson, LSU, #79 (Peach Bowl vs. Georgia Tech, 7:30 ESPN December 31st)

4. T Michael Oher, Mississippi, #74 (Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech, 2PM FOX January 2nd)

5. T Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma, #79 (BCS Championship Game vs. Florida, 8:00 PM FOX January 8th)

Patriots potential - Antoine Caldwell from Alabama, #51, who, as mentioned above, plays in the Sugar Bowl this year. A center, he is the anchor of the tough Alabama line and a smart, strong player.

Defensive Line

1. Tyson Jackson, LSU, #93 (Peach Bowl vs. Georgia Tech, 7:30 ESPN December 31st)

2. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech, #93 (Peach Bowl vs. LSU, 7:30 ESPN December 31st)

3. B.J. Raji, Boston College, #90 (Music City Bowl vs. Vanderbilt 3:30 ESPN December 31st)

4. Fili Moala, USC, #75 (Rose Bowl vs. Penn State, 4:30 PM ABC January 1st)

5. Mitch King, Iowa, #47 (Outback Bowl vs. South Carolina, 11:00 AM ESPN January 1st)

Patriots potential - Mitch King. Undersized and doesn’t really fit the Patriots system, but he’s such a good player they may try to convert him to linebacker, which he played in high school. Plays tackle at Iowa at 260 lbs. Relentless player who plays with a motor unlike anyone I have seen in college since Dan Klecko. But King is a better athlete than Klecko, so he could perhaps convert to linebacker. I think he’ll be a good player for someone in the NFL.

Linebackers

1. Rey Maualuga, USC, #58 (Rose Bowl vs. Penn State, 4:30 PM ABC January 1st)

2. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest, #59 (Congressional Bowl vs. Navy, 11:00 AM ESPN December 20th)

3. James Laurinatis, Ohio State, #33 (Fiesta Bowl vs. Texas, 8:00 PM FOX January 5th)

4. Brian Cushing, USC, #10 (Rose Bowl vs. Penn State, 4:30 PM ABC January 1st)

5. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State, #1, (Fiesta Bowl vs. Texas, 8:00 PM FOX January 5th)

Patriots potential - Connor Barwin from Cincinnati, #5, who plays in the Orange Bowl at 8:00 PM on FOX against Virginia Tech. The athletic Barwin is a converted tight end who just moved to defensive end this year. Reminds me of Mike Vrabel and could be great in the Patriots 3-4.

Defensive Backs

1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State, #2 (Fiesta Bowl vs. Texas, 8:00 PM FOX January 5th)

2. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest, #2 (Congressional Bowl vs. Navy, 11:00 AM ESPN December 20th)

3. William Moore, Missouri, #1 (Alamo Bowl vs. Northwestern, 8:00 PM ESPN December 29th)

4. Patrick Chung, Oregon, #15, (Holiday Bowl vs. Oklahoma State 8:00 ESPN December 30th)

5. Michael Hamlin, Clemson, #25 (Gator Bowl vs. Nebraska, 1:00 PM CBS January 1st)

Patriots potential - Brandon Hughes from Oregon State, #36. A play-making slot corner who is smart and plays hard. He will help the Beavers face off with Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl on December 31st at 2:00 PM on CBS.

Greg Doyle’s ‘College Scout’ appears weekly on Patriots Daily. He can be reached at greg@patriotsdaily.com.

The season moves along with more rivalry games and games that will decide who goes to the conference championships.

Auburn vs. Alabama (3:30 PM EST CBS)

Another year, another Iron Bowl. They say throw out the records when these two meet, but one wonders how the very mediocre 5-6 Auburn Tigers can keep up with #1 in the nation Alabama. If they can, it would be the upset of the year.

Auburn DT Tez Doolittle (#99)

Doolittle is a 294 lb. defensive tackle who is remarkably back starting for Auburn after snapping his Achilles in August of 2007. Doolittle was a highly-recruited defensive end who hasn’t played much until this year, along with suffering the major injury. He plays inside for Auburn. This year, in his first extended time, he has held up well. He has 7 tackles for loss. He has some potential and is a hard-worker who overcame a lot to come back from injury. He has talent. He just lacks experience and in a Patriots system, would be better suited as a defensive end. Still, in the last round or as an undrafted free agent would make a good project for the Pats.

Alabama C Antoine Caldwell (#59)

As far as evaluating a center, the one thing that can jump to the eye watching Caldwell is he is the clear leader of the line. You have to focus on him to see it, but you can just tell this 4-year starter is a special lineman and the type of smart, tough technician you need at center. He’ll likely be a first day pick and with Dan Koppen’s inconsistent play this year as well as Bill Belichick’s ties to Alabama coach Nick Saban, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Patriots take a run at the All-American candidate Caldwell.

There are a lot of rivalry games today and matchups that could decide conference championships. Oklahoma looks to take out undefeated Texas Tech in a huge matchup on ABC tonight, and there’s many other games for you to keep you eye on as the bowl pairings start to shake out.

Boston College at Wake Forest (3:30 PM EST ABC)

This is a game that BC needs to win in order to keep alive their ACC Championship aspirations. It also features two potential Top 10 NFL picks, one on each side.

Boston College DT BJ Raji (#90)

If you have watched BC the last few weeks you have seen the 325 lb. Raji eat college offensive linemen alive. He is simply too good for this level right now. He is a powerful run stuffer with great size who also can penetrate and is surprisingly athletic. He would definitely fit in a Patriots 3-4 scheme and creates great push inside while stalemating any attempt to move him out of the gaps. Probably the best interior defensive lineman in college football right now and a probable first round pick, perhaps the first tackle taken. He does benefit from being next to another excellent defensive tackle, Ron Brace, who’ll also be drafted (possibly on the first day). But while Brace is good, Raji is dominant and seems to be getting better each week after sitting out 2007. Watch Raji simply overpower a Notre Dame offensive lineman into his own running back in this clip.

Wake Forest OLB Aaron Curry (#59)

A very athletic outside linebacker who can do it all. Hits like a house, can cover and rush the passer. At 6′3″ 248, he is a great athlete too, running a 4.6/40 and power lifting 400 lbs. But it’s not just his triangle numbers; he is a football player who makes many plays for Wake Forest. His coverage ability is demonstrated by his 6 career INTs, 3 of which he has returned for touchdowns. Good student and character guy who plays the game hard. Seems to be the perfect Patriot, even excelling on special teams with blocked punts. If you had to predict one guy, right now, that Bill Belichick would target, this would seem to be the guy and he’ll certainly be a first round pick. The question is how high?

Today, we’re going to do something a bit different and look around the country at a few of the best juniors in all of college football. Some (but probably not all) may end up in this spring’s NFL draft, and all will at some point be playing in the NFL.

Florida QB Tim Tebow (#15)

The defending Heisman Trophy winner is as unique a quarterback as I have seen. On one hand, he has traditional drop-back QB size at 6′3″ 232. He also possesses a strong arm and is smart. Yet, he doesn’t play conventionally. He uses his legs to scramble around the pocket and at times takes off running. As a freshman, Florida basically used him as their short yardage and goal line running back. He has the strength to overpower, as witnessed by his 23 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. Tebow’s passing has also clearly improved. He throws a lot on the run and is somewhat of a product of Florida’s unique offense, but he does have the physical tools to play quarterback in the NFL. It should be interesting to see how he adopts to the NFL, but it should be noted he plays in the same offensive system as the former #1 pick of the 49ers, Alex Smith. Smith has yet to adjust to NFL offenses. You can watch Tebow play on CBS at 3:30 against South Carolina, but in the meantime, here are some highlights from his historic 2007 season.

Ohio State RB Beanie Wells (#28)

Probably one of the two most talented running backs in college football, along with Georgia sophomore Knowshon Moreno. Wells is a big 237 lb. back who can also burn a defense with elusive moves and breakaway speed. Wells is an all-around combination of size and speed whose one weakness is lack of involvement in the passing game. But the talent is obvious, he can punish a defense with power or run away from them with moves and speed. If he came out, he quite possibly could be the top pick in the draft and would instantly be a workhorse stud running back in the NFL for whatever team gets him. Watch him wear out the Illinois defense at Noon on ESPN. Here is a great run Wells made against Wisconsin.

by Greg Doyle
greg@patriotsdaily.com

Some very good games today. The BC-Notre Dame game is always fun and we also have LSU-Alabama at 3:30 PM. This should be a battle as Alabama faces its stiffest test going to Baton Rouge in Nick Saban’s return there while trying to stay undefeated and remain a National Championship contender. There’s a lot of good matchups on the slate today, so let’s look at a couple.

Penn State at Iowa (3:30 PM ABC)

Penn State looks to continue its undefeated season and stay in the National Championship race. They have a great team, their best in a long time, and are very entertaining to watch. Iowa is tough, particularly at home, so there is potential for a good game.

Penn State DE Maurice Evans (#48)

Evans is a Junior, so there is no guarantee he will come out. But he is one of the more dominant defensive players in the country. A star pass-rusher, Evans is very quick for his 264 lb. frame, but also possesses the strength to bull-rush bigger offensive linemen. Had 12.5 sacks last year as a Sophomore. This season, Evans was arrested early on, along with some of his house-mates, for marijuana found in their place after police responded to a report of a party. Joe Paterno suspended Evans for 3 games as a result. The incident was surprising given Evans reputation as a quiet, team leader and a good character person. He also is thought of as a team player despite his status as one of the dominant players in the country. So far this season, Evans has only 2 sacks in the six games he’s played. He has rotated some since coming back from suspension, but he is capable of dominating a game at any time. If he comes out and character questions from the incident are adequately explained, he could be a top 10 pick. But I do not think he fits with the Patriots or a 2-gap scheme as he probably can only play down in the NFL, lacking the pure speed to be significantly involved in coverage or to play up as a linebacker.

Penn State DB Tony Davis (#11)

Davis was a 13 game starter at corner for Penn State as a Sophomore, but then suffered an injury plagued season last year as a Junior. This year, he is playing some safety. The Patriots would like his versatility as he has extensive experience at corner and now some at safety. A bit undersized to be a full-time safety in the NFL at 195 lbs. Probably fits more as a nickel back and, thus, is likely a second-day draft pick. He isn’t great at any one thing, but his smarts and leadership and ability to call out coverages has led Penn State to shift him to safety at times. Still plays some corner too and his versatility may lead the Patriots to take a look.

by Greg Doyle
greg@patriotsdaily.com

It’s November already, and a monster matchup today in college football between two undefeated teams, Texas and Texas Tech. That will be an entertaining high scoring game. I also recommend Patriots fans pay close attention to the Miami-Virginia game because it’s a good game, but more particularly because Virginia has two linebackers who seem to fit perfectly into a Patriots-type scheme and who have played for Bill Belichick friend and former colleague Al Groh. We will look at them today. Virginia running back Cedric Peerman, who we spotlighted last week, is another potential future Patriot as well.

Miami (FLA) at Virginia (Noon EST Channel 38)

In a battle of two suddenly hot ACC teams, this game will be key to one of them having a shot at a good Bowl.

Miami TE Chris Zellner (#88)

Miami has a history of producing good tight ends and Zellner is certainly a NFL prospect. However, Zellner is not on the same level as past tight ends such as Winslow, Shockey, Franks and Olsen. One problem is he just lacks bulk and isn’t a good in-line blocker. It’s not really a lack of effort so much as his size and strength aren’t conducive to that kind of game. He is more an h-back type who can give you some blocking on the move. Decent hands, but isn’t great at getting open. Is just not the athlete that past Miami tight ends have been. Has played some fullback. Zellner’s playing time has decreased this year in favor of younger players. Has 26 career receptions. Not a down field threat. Zellner is a solid player who may be able to convert to NFL fullback or h-back hybrid, but it is unlikely he’ll be drafted before the 6th or 7th round, if at all.

Miami WR Kayne Farquharson (#82)

A tall, unheralded JUCO receiver now in his second year of major college football. Caught 9 balls last year in his transition to Division I football and has improved this year with 13 catches and 2 touchdowns thru 8 games. Farquharson, in my opinion, is a true diamond in the rough. Hasn’t put up gaudy numbers as he has worked in a new offense with young quarterbacks, but he is immensely talented with good size. Has all the tools but is very green and without great experience. Did not even play high school football, so this is a real project. But the talent is there. Has displayed improvement this year and polished his game some. Would be a nice late draft pick with real developmental potential, though if someone works him out and sees the raw talent, he could move up.

by Greg Doyle
greg@patriotsdaily.com

Look around college football today and you’ll see good game after good game. The tilt between Georgia and LSU should be great, as well as the big Texas-Oklahoma State matchup between two undefeated teams. Tonight, there will be the huge Penn State at Ohio State game in which the Nittany Lions will get a chance to prove they are the real deal.

Texas Tech at Kansas (Noon ESPN)

Texas Tech is undefeated and likes to throw it all over the yard. Kansas is also highly regarded and similarly has a very high powered offense. This could be fun and high scoring.

Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell (#6)

A very productive QB with good size and great stats. Harrell is a typical Texas Tech QB putting up great numbers in a spread offense that is completely unconventional to any offense in the NFL. Harrell is accurate enough, but like earlier Texas Tech Qb’s BJ Symons and Kliff Kingsbury, does not possess the greatest arm in the world. Never taking snaps from under center and the nature of the offense also present a problem for his NFL prospects. He has some ability, including throwing on the run, so he should be drafted at some point but its doubtful the Patriots would take a chance after the Kingsbury failure. Here are some highlights of Harrell.

Texas Tech S Anthony Hines (#23)

A first year starter with excellent safety size at 6′1″ 222. Hines is a solidly built guy who played significant time as a junior, but only became a full-time starter this season. Has been decent but not spectacular. Ran a 4.6 in college, so there is decent speed to go with his big frame. Should get a look given that size, but must improve his play as he gains further experience this season. Needs to be a good special team player to play in the NFL.