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Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

10 NFL prospects to watch in non-CFP games

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 12/28/23

It can be difficult to know who's playing during college football's bowl season because of the devaluation of non-College Football Playoff bowls, the transfer portal and players declaring for the NFL Draft. There is a decent number of players participating this season.

Here are 10 draft-eligible players to watch:

Clemson vs. Kentucky, Gator Bowl | Friday, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+)

Kentucky running back Re'Mahn Davis: As a fifth-year senior running back, Davis might be a Day 3 pick, but he'll be worth it for whichever NFL team selects him. As a freshman at Temple, he burst on the scene with 1,117 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. Injuries shortened his next two seasons, including his first at Vanderbilt, but he has been one of the best backs in the country from 2022-23. This season with the Wildcats, Davis posted career-highs in rushing yards (1,066), receiving yards (317) and touchdowns (20).

No. 9 Missouri vs. No. 7 Ohio State, Cotton Bowl Classic | Friday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+)

Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke: The Buckeyes have several defensive starters eligible for the NFL Draft suiting up for the Cotton Bowl. Junior Burke is one of the best. Per Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks had a poor 67.5 passer rating when targeting Burke during the regular season. He has only allowed 23 receptions on 45 targets for 266 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka: Ohio State has some offensive stars expected to play against Missouri, including Egbuka, who was overshadowed by Marvin Harrison Jr. the past two seasons and could use the spotlight to improve his draft stock. Harrison Jr. traveled with the team to the Cotton Bowl, but his status is uncertain.

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson: The junior back has yet to make an NFL Draft decision, although he has looked NFL-ready since his freshman year, when he had 1,560 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns. This season, he has 854 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games. His 37 scrimmage touchdowns are the eighth most in program history.

Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau: He's another Buckeyes junior with a big decision on the horizon, Tuimoloau has participated in practice this week. He can make a living at the next level as a pass-rush specialist. Tuimoloau had a season-high seven total pressures in Week 8 against Penn State (h/t PFF), getting the upper hand in his matchup with projected top-10 pick offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu.

Penn State LT Olu Fashanu only allowed 10 pressures all season long. 6 of the 10 were against Ohio State, however. Buckeys DE JT Tuimoloau gave him some real problems. (Nifty fake stunt by tOSU here.) pic.twitter.com/6fI9FY1l4u
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) December 28, 2023

No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Penn State, Peach Bowl | Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+)

Penn State cornerback Kalen King: King is smart, fast and physical — that's three things NFL scouts love when evaluating corners. On this play shared by ESPN draft analyst Matt Bowen, here he is (No. 4) quickly identifying the wide receiver screen, making a quick move and blowing the play up before it even had a chance.

#PennState CB Kalen King.

Attack the WR screen.

Eyes/urgency here. pic.twitter.com/QbG6xgg2t5
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) July 27, 2023

Per ESPN, King is the fifth-ranked cornerback prospect in the 2024 draft class.

Georgia vs. Florida State, Orange Bowl | Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+)

Georgia safety Javon Bullard: The junior defensive back stressed his intention to play in the Orange Bowl earlier this week, saying, "I'm going to finish what I started," per The Athletic. While he has another year of eligibility, Saturday's game against the Seminoles could very well be his last in college. During the regular season, he appeared in 11 games and had 55 tackles, five pass deflections and two interceptions.

Toledo vs. Wyoming, Arizona Bowl | Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (CW Network/Barstool)

Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell: Look for Mitchell's stock to rise during the draft process. He was a lockdown defender for the past two seasons for the Rockets, only allowing 54 receptions on 132 targets according to data from PFF.

Last year against Northern Illinois, he became the first player since 2000 with four interceptions and two pick-sixes in a game.

Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell had FOUR interceptions and ran two of them back for a touchdown today

He's the only FBS player since 2000 with 4 INTs and 2 pick-6's in a game.pic.twitter.com/V2aI30CdWT
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 9, 2022

Mitchell was credited with 27 pass breakups from 2022-23, and while he primarily lined up on the outside, Toledo also used him in as a slot corner, at free safety and as a front-seven defender. He's also a special teams menace.

Quinyon Mitchell. Gonna be drafted way higher than you think. pic.twitter.com/Fv389fSlMX
— Liam (@Blutman27) November 1, 2023

Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU, ReliaQuest Bowl | Monday, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers: The Biletnikoff Award finalist is arguably the best prospect playing in a non-CFP bowl this season. This season, he led the country in receiving yards (1,546) and scored 14 touchdowns.

Nabers showed off his full repertoire against Florida earlier this season, first on this play in the opening minute of the game in which he went low for the grab and turned it into a 38-yard gain.

Malik Nabers is a playmaker. pic.twitter.com/GMVIKucB7a
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) December 27, 2023

Later, he separated from his defender and high-pointed the perfectly timed throw by quarterback Jayden Daniels for an easy pitch-and-catch.

Malik Nabers (top) can make things look easy pic.twitter.com/dPzMVZW0x4
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 27, 2023

No. 23 Liberty vs. No. 8 Oregon, Fiesta Bowl | Monday, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix: The fifth-year senior has gained momentum as a first-round pick in April's draft and has one more opportunity to impress scouts against the Flames, which was selected for the Group of Five's New Year's Six bid after an undefeated season against the weakest schedule in the country.

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