Post-Bowl Fallers

Bowl appearances can boost a draft prospect's profile with NFL scouts or they can raise question marks. Scout.com Draft Analyst Chris Steuber points out five players who will need to rebound with better offseason workouts to erase some damaging performances.

Anthony Morelli, QB – Penn State

Morelli struggled against Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl, but the Nittany Lions pulled out a 24–17 win. Morelli didn’t look comfortable and only completed 48 percent of his passes. He threw for 143 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Morelli has had an up-and-down season and now faces an uncertain professional future.  

Anthony Alridge, RB – Houston

Alridge enjoyed a tremendous senior season with the Cougars, rushing for 1,597 yards on 259 carries and 14 touchdowns while pulling in 42 catches for 428 yards and five touchdowns. But when the lights shined their brightest at the Texas Bowl, Alridge came up short. He only managed 29 yards on 15 carries (1.9 YPC) in a disappointing effort against TCU. Alridge has a lot of talent, but lacks size (5-foot-9, 175-pounds), and this performance doesn’t look good on his resume entering the offseason.  

Hawaii's Colt Brennan scrambles to avoid pressure in the Sugar Bowl.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Colt Brennan, QB – Hawaii

Brennan had a game to forget against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, and he probably suffered some memory loss from being slammed to the ground all night long. A Heisman Trophy finalist, Brennan completed 22-of-38 passes for 168 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. Brennan averaged 348-yards a game entering the Sugar Bowl, but he didn’t have enough time to go through all of his reads and get the high-powered Warriors' offense in sync. This is the last memory NFL executives will have of Brennan entering the Senior Bowl and Combine, which means he has to shine this spring to elevate his draft status.  

Lavelle Hawkins, WR – California

Hawkins started the season off well, but has struggled in Cal’s last three games. He showed the ability to be a dynamic playmaker early on, but has been reduced to the third receiver in the Bears offense. He finished the Armed Forces Bowl with just three catches for 17 yards, but managed to get in the end zone. Hawkins has great speed and versatility and has first day talent, but has slipped a bit and is now considered an early Day Two selection.  

Tommy Blake, DE – TCU

Blake finished his collegiate career with a four-tackle performance against Houston in the Texas Bowl. He had a mysterious start to his final season with the Horned Frogs, missing five games this season due to personal reasons. He finished the year with 21 tackles, eight for a loss and four sacks. Blake was a highly-touted prospect leading up to his senior campaign. For him to regain that status, he’ll have to convince NFL executives that his problems are in the past.

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.