Boxing Day bowl games boast sleeper draft prospects

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and for those who don’t celebrate and/or are still celebrating a holiday, I hope those are wonderful as well! Football is back today with a pair of bowl games that feature some under the radar 2020 NFL Draft prospects. Here’s each bowl team’s most interesting player to watch today.

Independence Bowl 4 PM ET on ESPN

Shaquille Quarterman, Linebacker, Miami: Canes are one of the youngest teams in the country; currently rebuilding under a new coaching staff. Shaquille Quarterman is one of the few elder statesmen on the team and making a massive impact as senior defender. Quarterman is an old school, physical, downhill linebacker who isn’t afraid to lay the boom in the running game. He has been a tackling machine for much of his career in Miami and will be going out with a high note today.

Amik Robertson, Cornerback, Louisiana Tech: It’s rare that underclassmen from “Non-Power 5” colleges are declaring for the draft. It takes a level of dominance and production to cajole young players to take the pro-leap. Amik Robertson will be interesting to watch considering his junior season where he had 8 TFLs, 16 passes defended, a forced fumble and five interceptions with two returned for touchdowns. Robertson is a feisty, athletic playmaker who will be playing his heart out against Miami to get the Bulldogs to a 10 win season.

Quick Lane Bowl 8 PM ET on ESPN

Patrick Jones II, Edge Defender, Pitt: The Pitt Panthers have been working through another mediocre season, but they have some serious players on their defensive line. Patrick Jones II is an early candidate dude to his immense presence as a pass rusher. He is disruptive on every drop back and even contributes as a run defender. Not that a big game today will be what puts him over the edge to go to the NFL, but it’s possible it’ll be the last we see of him in college.

Brody Hoying, Safety, EMU: Brody Hoying has made a huge impact for Eastern Michigan during his career. The senior defensive back has six career interceptions, 10 PDs, 19 TFLs and seven forced fumbles. Brody, cousin of Bobby Hoying, has a great feel for the game and looks like the quarterback of the EMU defense. While he is not a high profile prospect, he seems like someone who can make an impact as a day three draft prospect.