Bowl Game Observations: Part Five
It’s that time of year when I turn my focus to the college bowl games to gain insight. I will do my best to find some draft eligible players who could improve your dynasty teams. This article intends to start conversations and encourage continued thought throughout the entire draft process. These are my observations based on the bowl games, unless otherwise indicated. There will be much more in-depth, thought-provoking discussions later in the off-season. I am listing these players alphabetically.
Jeremiah Attaochu, LB GTÂ
Attaochu usually lines up as an outside linebacker, but will occasionally put his hand down and rush as a defensive end. He has a nice inside swim move he uses with a good initial burst to get into between the tackle and the guard. The backer seems to get tangled up and overpowered with the offensive tackles on run plays.   I wish Attaochu did a better job sealing the edge when they run to his side. He shows a lot of hustle as he will trail plays going to the opposite side as he cleans up missed tackles. Attaochu also covers the screen game well.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB LOU
I’m not sure there isn’t a more exciting or discussed player in college football right now. It was only in the first series that the young signal caller looked human when he got sacked in the end zone as he did not feel the backside pressure. After that, Bridgewater never looked back. He moves well in the pocket, rolls away from pressure, squares his shoulders, sets his feet and throws accurately. He hits his receivers in stride and seemed unfazed when his best receiver, Davante Parker, rolled his ankle in the first quarter as he simply looked for the next open receiver. He can fit the ball into tight coverage and tends to overthrow passes giving his receivers a chance to make a play. When facing pressure, Bridgewater steps up in the pocket and is a willing runner if no one is open down the field. He took good angles when running with the ball and does a good job not letting the defense hit him head on.  The ultra-talented Bridgewater should be the target for all quarterback needy teams, NFL and dynasty squads alike.
Jeremy Gallon, WR MICH
I’m an admitted Michigan fan and love the athletic skills the diminutive playmaker (5′ 8″ 183 lbs.) displays on the field. He gets used in the reverse game a lot. Gallon has the shiftiness and ability to sink his hips to catch the defense off guard.  He lines up on the outside and in the slot while outmaneuvering away from the jam. He fully extends himself to make receptions, grabbing the ball in stride, while keeping an eye on the yard marker. More physical defensive backs knock him around a bit, but he has good balance to take advantage of over-aggressive ones. Gallon tracks the ball well in the air and makes adjustments mid-stream to secure the catch. Don’t underestimate his athleticism as he threw for a two point conversion catching the defense unaware. The young receiver could begin his NFL career as a returner, then wow a team for more playing time.
Josh Huff, WR ORE
He had a productive night against Texas finishing with over 100 yards and a touchdown. Huff lined up in the backfield beside the quarterback and was also spread out wide. He fully extends to catch the ball, usually making the reception in stride and does a great job creating separation from the defensive backs. His scoring play was a shovel pass that he ran like a running back weaving down the sidelines and hurdled his way into the end zone. Huff made a few tough catches in the middle of the field and took the punishment for them. I like what I see and am eager to see which NFL team drafts him.
Jackson Jeffcoat, DE/LB TEX
This athletic defender lined up all over the formation: defensive tackle, defensive end, inside and outside linebacker. He has a great initial first step he used to pressure the quarterback. Near the goal line, Jeffcoat swatted the ball out of the quarterback’s arm, but the ball got recovered by Oregon. The young defender got stronger as the game went on, causing more havoc in the backfield. He is decent in coverage, but I see him as more of a rush outside linebacker due to his size in a 3-4 system. Jeffcoat did fine against the run, but needs to improve there if he wants to be an every down linebacker in the NFL.
DeVante Parker, WR LOU
Maybe it’s me, but I was impressed with what I saw from this young wideout in his three quarters of work that featured nine receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown. Parker has great chemistry with Bridgewater as he would come back to him when his quarterback was under pressure. He used his body to shield the ball (using every inch of his frame), while leaping above his coverage and catching it at its highest point. Parker made the first man miss with a little wiggle, caught the ball with his huge hands in stride and would contort his body to make incredibly difficult receptions. He has amazing concentration to come down with the pass regardless of double coverage and defenders being draped all over him. The NFL is ready for him, if he is ready for the NFL.
De’Anthony Thomas, RB ORE
While watching Thomas, I was reminded of Reggie Bush in his New Orleans Saints years. He plays limited snaps while being used more as a receiver in the slot than a running back and did most of his damage in space. He showed good vision and patience on his kick returns and inside runs. He has very quick feet that he uses to change direction, shows good balance and sees the field well. Thomas ran a wheel route that almost connected for a big gain as he has a great wiggle, sinking his hips, to get away from defenders. There were a few plays he got behind the defense, but had to slow down to get to the passes. I’m not convinced he will be an every down player in the NFL, but he should be very productive as a fantasy starter.
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