Champs Sports Bowl: NFL Draft Prospects

Boston College and Michigan State meet at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN in the Champs Sports Bowl. Scout.com's Chris Steuber provides his analysis of the players from both squads that NFL scouts have been evaluating. And he shares his projections of when they'll be selected in April's NFL Draft.

No	Name	Pos	Hgt	Wt	Exp	Projection
1	Matt Ryan	QB	6-5	220	Sr.	1st Round
Notes: Ryan is a smart, savvy field general who brings a lot of intangibles to the football field. He’s an excellent leader who makes smart decisions and puts his teammates in the right position to make plays. He has great poise in the pocket and plays well under pressure. He has a strong arm and has the ability to thread the needle with most of his throws. He’s not an elusive runner, but he’s able to get outside and make throws on the move.
2	Gosder Cherilus	OT	6-7	319	Sr.	1st Round
Notes: Cherilus is an athletic, durable blocker. He’s a versatile tackle that can play on either side of the line and dominate. He possesses great technique, gets leverage against the opposition, and moves well laterally to knock a speedy or physical end off his rush. He has a great wingspan that he uses to jolt defenders initially. He controls the opposition when he’s engaged and is able to shut them down.
3	DeJuan Tribble	CB	5-9	190	Sr.	2nd Round
Notes: Tribble is a playmaking cover corner with outstanding instincts. He has quick feet, backpedals nicely, and is smooth in coverage. He reads plays well and anticipates a throw before it occurs. He has great closing speed and ball skills that cause opposing quarterbacks to purposely throw away from him. He lacks ideal height for a defensive back and has trouble against taller receivers, but his awareness, quickness, and toughness make him an elite defender. He’s a versatile player that excels on special teams as a punt returner.
4	Ryan Purvis	TE	6-4	258	Jr.	3rd Round
Notes: Purvis is an athletic tight end that is a threat in the passing game. He gets a fluid release off the line and sets up nicely in the middle. He has good speed, runs smooth routes and is tough to bring down. He uses his body to shield defenders and adjust to errant throws. Only a junior, Purvis will return to BC for his senior year and improve his overall game.
5	Jo-Lonn Dunbar	OLB	6-0	226	Sr.	3rd – 4th Round
Notes: Dunbar is a quick, athletic linebacker that flies around the football. He has an explosive first step and moves towards the action really well. He’s a great defender against the run and drops into coverage fluidly. He’s a hard worker and an excellent leader. He has good lateral movement and has the speed to play sideline-to-sideline. He’s a versatile player that can line up at all three linebacker positions.
6	Jamie Silva	FS	5-11	210	Sr.	3rd – 4th Round
Notes: Silva is one of the most underrated defensive backs in the country. He’s an outstanding player with great instincts and awareness. He has good size and speed. He’s a very productive player that excels as being a centerfielder type defender, who can read and react and make plays on the ball. He has a solid burst to the ball and displays excellent hands. He takes good angles in coverage and provides insurance on deep routes. He’s an aggressive player who defends the run very well.
7	B.J. Raji	DT	6-1	325	Sr.	4th – 5th Round
Notes: Raji is a big, physical interior lineman that commands a lot of attention. He’s a good athlete that has a solid burst off the line, plays with leverage, and bull rushes opponents up the field. He has a quick first step and immediately penetrates up field and makes plays in the backfield. He displays great strength and brings down the opposition with his initial push. He gets off blocks very well and can handle double teams. Raji was ruled academically ineligible this season and was redshirted. He could return to BC for a fifth-year or enter the draft.
8	Brian Toal	LB	6-0	252	Sr.	5th – 6th Round
Notes: Toal is a hard-nosed linebacker that plays with a lot of passion. He’s a strong, athletic, and active player who diagnoses the action and gets to the ball. He positions himself well and is a sure tackler. He has good lateral movement and makes plays sideline-to-sideline. He lacks ideal height and gets caught in between the trees. He has to shed blocks better and not allow big plays. Toal suffered a season ending injury and was redshirted. It’s unknown if he’ll enter the draft or return to Boston College for a fifth-year.
9	Andre Callendar	RB	5-11	199	Sr.	7th Round
Notes: Callender is a versatile running back that can beat you on the ground or out of the backfield as a receiver. He’s a good runner that has a nice blend of size and speed and can pick up tough yards between the tackles. He has good vision, follows his blockers, and is able to break free in the open field. He’s a solid pass catcher who allows his blockers to set up in front of him and gain positive yards.
10	Nick Larkin	DE	6-4	241	Sr.	7th Round
Notes: Larkin is an undersized defensive end with a good motor. He’s quick around the edge and makes plays in the backfield. He takes good angles in pursuit and has a nose for the ball.
11	Kevin Challenger	WR	5-8	180	Sr.	UFA
Notes: Challenger is a small receiver that’s a great fit in the slot. He has good hands, speed and works hard in and out of his routes.
12	L.V. Whitworth	RB	5-11	219	Sr.	UFA
Notes: Whitworth is a situational runner with good size. He’s a tough runner between the tackles and has good vision in the open field.
13	Ryan Thompson	TE	6-4	258	Sr.	UFA
Notes: Thompson is a backup tight end with good blocking technique. He’s a fringe player at the next level.
14	Johnny Ayers	P	6-0	186	Sr.	UFA
Notes: Ayers is a consistent punter with a solid leg. He’s a short punter that doesn’t get much lift on the ball and will struggle with a faster rush at the next level.

No	Name	Pos	Hgt	Wt	Exp	Projection
1	Devin Thomas	WR	6-2	218	Jr.	2nd Round
Notes: Thomas is a quick receiver who consistently makes plays on offense. He uses his size to his advantage, runs physical routes, and makes tough catches in traffic. He gets a quick release off the line, is quick in and out of cuts, and flashes vertical speed to make big plays. He’s a sure handed receiver that adjusts to errant throws, leaps to make acrobatic receptions, and finds soft spots within a defense. He plays with a lot of awareness and instincts and is a capable blocker downfield. With a big game against BC, Thomas will have a tough decision to make regarding his football future.
2	Javon Ringer	RB	5-9	200	Jr.	3rd Round
Notes: Ringer is a shifty back who’s an explosive playmaker running and receiving the ball. He sets up defenders well and makes them miss; he’s a huge open field threat. He runs well between the tackles and is elusive around the end.
3	Otis Wiley	FS	6-2	214	Jr.	4th Round
Notes: Wiley is an excellent athlete with good cover skills. He reads the quarterback well and displays sideline-to-sideline range. He has a good burst of speed and takes good angles in coverage. He has good footwork and defends the run very well. Wiley is an underclassman that was rotated in and out of the lineup this season. But he’ll see a majority of the playing time next season as the starting free safety.
4	Kellen Davis	TE	6-6	246	Sr.	4th Round
Notes: Davis is a big target that possesses great size, good speed and excellent hands. He runs good routes, displays great focus and makes difficult catches in traffic. He adjusts well to over thrown passes and uses his frame and athleticism to come down with the ball. He’s a willing blocker, but has to improve his technique and hand placement.
5	Jonal Saint-Dic	DE	6-1	255	Sr.	5th Round
Notes: Saint-Dic is an undersized rush end that plays with tremendous leverage. He’s quick off the snap, strong around the edge, and creates havoc in the backfield. He has quick feet and good strength, but gets worn down as the game progresses. Saint-Dic will be out against the Eagles, because he’s academically ineligible.
6	Ervin Baldwin	DE	6-2	270	Sr.	5th – 6th Round
Notes: Baldwin is a hardworking defensive end that’s been highly productive over the last two seasons. He has good size and strength and possesses a strong inside move. He engages quickly and sheds blocks to make plays in the backfield. He had 59 tackles, and a team high 17.5 tackles for a loss to go along with his 7.5 sacks this season.
7	Jehuu Caulcrick	RB	6-0	255	Sr.	6th Round
Notes: Caulcrick is a big, physical back that’s excellent in short-yardage situations. He makes quick cutbacks in a small area and is able to wiggle his way through traffic. He easily breaks tackles and picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact. He flashes a good burst and runs hard.
8	Nehemiah Warrick	SS	6-1	208	Sr.	7th Round - UFA
Notes: Warrick is a physically gifted defender that has playmaking potential. He takes good angles in pursuit and plays well in coverage. He didn’t have a highly productive year from a statistical standpoint, but has some upside.
9	Travis Key	S	5-10	185	Sr.	UFA
Notes: Key is an undersized safety that possesses good leadership qualities. He has good instincts, speed and breaks down well against the run.
10	Kaleb Thornhill	MLB	6-1	242	Sr.	UFA
Notes: Thornhill is an experienced linebacker that plays with a lot of intensity. He has a high motor and defends sideline-to-sideline. He has good lateral movement and sheds blocks well. He lacks straight-line speed and gets caught out of position.
11	SirDarean Adams	OLB	6-0	230	Sr.	UFA
Notes: Adams is a quick linebacker that provides depth on a team. He’s an ideal special teams player at the next level. He won’t participate in the Champs Sports Bowl due to unspecified team rules.

A member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America, Chris Steuber has provided his analysis of the NFL and NFL Draft prospects on the web and on the radio since 1999.