Welcome back for another day of college football bowl action! We’re back with another look at the latest bowl game, highlighting and profiling a few notable draft-eligible prospects you should pay attention to this evening. This will help us build a list of names to know when we get into the offseason and really get into draft prep. For today's action we take a look at Western Kentucky vs. Memphis in the Boca Raton Bowl. So, sit back, put your scouting hat on, and let's get things started.
Miami Beach Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Memphis Tigers
Conference Affiliations: Conference USA vs. American Athletic
Date: Tuesday, December 20
Game Time: 4:30 P.M. PT
Location: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida
TV: ESPN
Western Kentucky had themselves another fantastic season. Their 9-3 regular season record is very impressive considering those losses were to Alabama, Louisiana Tech, and Vanderbilt in overtime. The Hilltoppers concluded the season a six-game win-streak, making it to the Conference USA Championship and defeating Louisiana Tech in a rematch.
Memphis had a relatively successful season taking into account they lost star-quarterback Paxton Lynch and head coach Justin Fuente. Mike Norvell took over and is off to a great start. We’ll see if Norvell and the Tigers can pull of a huge bowl win in Florida.
Top five offensive NFL Draft prospects:
1. Taywan Taylor, WR, 6’0”, 195 lbs - WKU
2. Daniel Montiel, TE, 6’3”, 240 lbs – Memphis
3. Forrest Lamp, OG, 6’3”, 300 lbs – WKU
4. Anthony Miller, WR, 5’11”, 190 lbs – Memphis
5. Doroland Dorceus, RB, 5’11”, 200 lbs – Memphis
Top five defensive NFL Draft prospects:
1. Genard Avery, LB, 6’1”, 255 lbs – Memphis
2. Donald Pennington, DT, 6’2”, 295 lbs – Memphis
3. Keith Brown, LB, 6’0”, 240 lbs – WKU
4. Nick Dawson-Brents, DE, 6’3”, 275 lbs - WKU
5. Shareef White, LB, 6’1”, 235 lbs – Memphis
Prospect that fits the 49ers:
Wide receiver Taywan Taylor is an excellent addition for little cost. Taylor will most likely not be selected until the fifth or sixth round, so the senior from Western Kentucky would be a good pick. Taylor has recorded outstanding numbers while at WKU, posting 4,090 yards and 40 touchdowns on 244 receptions. A playmaker like this would be of great value to a depleted 49ers receiving core.