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Best 2017 NFL Draft prospects from biggest Bowl Games

By Tyler Brooke

Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks off the field after a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks off the field after a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) is congratulated by teammates after a fumble recovery during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) is congratulated by teammates after a fumble recovery during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Independence Bowl (Dec. 26, 5 pm ET on ESPN2): NC State vs Vanderbilt

NC State Wolfpack: Matthew Dayes, RB

It’s going to be an uphill battle for NC State running back Matthew Dayes to get drafted considering the amount of talent at the position this year. However, it’s easy to see why the Wolfpack star has been such a productive player this season.

Dayes has been a workhorse this season, carrying the ball 240 times for 1,119 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. He’s not the biggest guy at 5’9” and 203 pounds, but he has solid vision and balance to play in a power running scheme. His ability to make passes in the passing game as well could make him a suitable RB2 that an NFL team could be willing to take a chance on.

Vanderbilt Commodores: Zach Cunningham, ILB

Few NFL draft prospects have climbed up big boards as quickly as Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham this season. The Commodores linebacker has been in the middle of plays all year, racking up 119 total tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss on the year.

Cunningham has great awareness and does a good job of shedding blockers to get to the ball carrier. While he sometimes takes bad angles and misses too many tackles, he’s shown that he’s more than capable of either stopping the run or dropping back in pass coverage. I’m not as high on Cunningham as others are, but a big outing in the Independence Bowl could help him prove doubters like myself wrong.

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