Bowl Game Week 2 Prospect Rewind

Bowl Game Week 2 has come and gone. The week 2 games provided a greater number of prospects to watch.

I will look at the top prospect performances from the games I watched the previous week.

BOWL GAME WEEK 2 PROSPECT REWIND

FRISCO BOWL: Marshall v. UTSA

Marshall RB Rasheen Ali has breakaway capabilities but can still ground out the hard yardage. Ali ran for 92 yards on nine carries with one score against UTSA. Ali has accepted an invitation to the Shrine Bowl.

UTSA WR Joshua Cephus is a big play threat for the Roadrunners. Cephus was part of a three-headed monster at wide receiver a year ago. Now he stands alone. Cephus had seven catches for 102 yards and a score in the Frisco Bowl.

If you want to feel old then this is the game for you. The two starting quarterbacks are sons of former NFL passers who were drafted this decade. For Marshall, Cole Pennington (son of Chad) got the start. UTSA started Owen McCown (son of Josh) with the injury to Frank Harris.

BIRMINGHAM  BOWL: Duke v. Troy

Troy RB Kimani Vidal declared for the draft after the bowl game. The Trojan back ran for 79 yards against Duke, polishing off one of the best rushing seasons in FBS this year. Vidal has a chance to be drafted late and be a nice change-of-pace back.

Troy edge rusher Javon Solomon is off to the Senior Bowl. He was one of the nation’s leaders in sacks. Solomon had four tackles and a handful of pressures against the Blue Devils.

Another Troy defender I think will get a Senior Bowl invite (at some point) is linebacker Richard Jibunor. Jibunor is a long athlete who can make a ton of plays. Jibunor was a handful for Duke, finishing with six tackles, two for loss, and a sack.

CAMELLIA BOWL: Arkansas State v. Northern Illinois

Arkansas State WR Corey Rucker had a huge game against NIU. Rucker does a great job at high-pointing the ball and can win his share of 50/50 balls. He finished the bowl game with five catches for 107 yards and two scores.

Huskies’ RB Antario Brown is not likely to enter the ’24 NFL Draft. However, he was the main reason Northern Illinois got the win in Montgomery. Brown showed nice burst and balance on his way to 132 yards rushing on 25 carries.

ARMED FORCES BOWL: Air Force v. James Madison

Generally speaking, you do not see many prospects playing for the service academies. In the era of NIL, I think this is only going to get worse. 

Air Force safety Trey Taylor is going to play in the Shrine Bowl. He is probably a UDFA at this point. Taylor recorded three tackles against JMU.

James Madison’s top prospect likely would have been edge rusher Jalen Green. However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury weeks ago after recording 15 sacks. Green isn’t expected to enter this draft.

68 VENTURES BOWL: Eastern Michigan v. South Alabama

See my complete report from this game HERE.

LAS VEGAS BOWL: Northwestern v. Utah

This game was boring as all get out.

I am intrigued by Utah RB Ja’Quinden Jackson. The former QB has great size (6’2″ 225) and runs the ball well. I just wish he got more opportunities. Against Northwestern, Jackson carried it eight times for 55 yards.

HAWAI’I BOWL: Coastal Carolina v. San Jose State

Coastal Carolina wide receiver Sam Pinckney had a big game in the Chanticleers Hawaii Bowl win. Pinckney caught eight of his ten targets for 123 yards and a score. I currently project him as a late-round prospect.

SJSU QB Chevan Cordeiro is a player who I think can be developed into a serviceable NFL QB with a few years in the X-US-FL. Cordeiro ran for 59 yards against CCU. he completed 16/30 passes for 215 yards and a score as well.