Senior Bowl 2019 Finalizes Roster

 Mobile, Ala. – The Reese’s Senior Bowl has finalized its 2019 roster with the addition of eight players.

This is another strong nationwide group of pro prospects assembled by first year Senior Bowl director, Jim Nagy.

 For Complete Senior Bowl 2019 Roster go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/accepted-invites.php

 Added to the roster this week were Alabama offensive lineman Ross Piersbacher, Ole Miss offensive lineman Javon Patterson, Texas A&M center Erik McCoy, linebacker Alaka Otaro and defensive lineman Kingsley Keke, Miami (FL) safety Sheldrick Redwine, Ohio State wide receiver Terry McLaurin and UC-Davis wide receiver Keelan Doss.

 McCoy is a fourth-year junior graduate who has declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. He is one of five junior graduates on this year’s roster, joining Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, NC State wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, Utah State tight end Dax Raymond and West Virginia linebacker David Long.

 “After a very thorough process that actually began last summer, we are excited to finalize the rosters for our 70th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl game,” said Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy. “Our main objective is to provide the 32 NFL member clubs with the best rosters possible and this collection of players truly represents the best that college football, at all levels, had to offer this year.”

 The official game week North/South rosters will be released on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

 The 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl is January 26th at 1:30pm at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at www.seniorbowl.com, at 151 Dauphin St. in downtown Mobile or at Piggly Wiggly locations.

 Reese’s Senior Bowl week begins on Monday, Jan. 21 and practices will be on Tuesday (Jan. 22), Wednesday (Jan. 23) and Thursday (Jan. 24) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. They are free and open to the public.

 All three practices and the game will be televised live by NFL Network

              ** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network **                                                   Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
                                            Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

Raiders and 49ers Coaching Staffs Direct Senior Bowl Teams

The Senior Bowl announced this week that the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers have been selected by the NFL as the two coaching staffs for the 2019 All-star classic in Mobile, Ala. They are the two highest teams drafting with coaching staffs intact for the upcoming 2019 season.

 This marks the 70th year the NFL will send two of its full coaching staffs to the game’s premier all-star and pre-draft event. Reese’s Senior Bowl week starts on Monday, January 21st and concludes with the 70th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl on January 26th at 1:30 pm CT at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***
                             Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
                       For Complete Senior Bowl info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

 “The Reese’s Senior Bowl is excited to have the two Bay Area teams coaching in our 70th annual game,” said Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy.  “The Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers are both iconic franchises. With eight Super Bowl victories between them, the Raiders and Niners are historic brands of the league and the Senior Bowl is honored to have them at our game this year.”

 The 49ers will coach the South team and have coached the Reese’s Senior Bowl five times, last coaching in the game in 2008, ending a stretch of three consecutive coaching appearances (Mike Nolan 2006-08). They also coached in 1975 (Dick Nolan) and 1981 (Bill Walsh).

 The Raiders, who will lead the North team, have also coached in the Reese’s Senior Bowl five times previously – 1992 (Art Shell), 1999 (Jon Gruden), 2005 (Norv Turner), 2008 (Lane Kiffin) and 2013 (Dennis Allen).

 Both the Raiders and 49ers finished with 4-12 records in 2018. The 49ers hold the second overall pick and the Raiders will select fourth in April’s 2019 NFL Draft.

 Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden will be coaching in the Reese’s Senior Bowl for the fourth time. He coached the North team as the Raiders head coach in 1999, falling to Bucs’ coach Tony Dungy and the South, 31-21. He then coached in the game twice as the head coach of the Bucs, in 2005 and 2007, going 1-1 in those games.

  “We’re fired up to have Jon Gruden back in Mobile,” Nagy said. “He brings such rare energy and passion to the game of football.  This is a unique opportunity for our fans to see and hear coach Gruden at field level during our practice week.”

 Gruden, 55, returned to coaching this season after spending nearly a decade in the broadcast booth. Gruden compiled a 95-81 (.540) regular season mark in his 12 seasons as a head coach with the Raiders (1999-2001, 2018) and Bucs (2002-2008) and a 5-4 postseason mark, which includes a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

 When he was initially hired by Al Davis with the Raiders in 1998, he was the youngest coach in the league at age 34 and posted a 38-26 record, leading the silver and black to back-to-back AFC West titles in 2000 and 2001, including a trip to the AFC Championship game in 2000.

 “The Oakland Raiders are excited to coach in the premier all-star game in the land,” Gruden said. “The opportunity to interact with the Senior Bowl rosters and help these great young men achieve their dreams has the entire Raider staff galvanized. We could not be more pumped to get to Mobile.”

 Shanahan, 39, who will coach the South, will be making his head coaching debut in the Senior Bowl, but coached twice in the game previously as an assistant. Ironically, his first coaching experience in the Reese’s Senior Bowl was in 2005 as the Offensive Quality Control Coordinator for Gruden with the Bucs. In 2012, he returned to Mobile as the Offensive Coordinator of the Washington Redskins, under his father Mike Shanahan.

 “Our players are lucky to have the opportunity to be around coach Shanahan and his staff for a week,” Nagy said. “He is one of the brightest offensive minds in the game today and the Reese’s Senior Bowl is excited that our fans will get an up-close look at how he prepares players.  In addition, we are excited to have a great football man like General Manager John Lynch around our game all week, as well.”

 “The Senior Bowl is a tremendous opportunity for NFL teams to get a firsthand look at some of the top college prospects, and the City of Mobile has always been a gracious host,” Lynch said. “The opportunity to coach these young men is an invaluable asset to our evaluation process and one that we are excited to have. We look forward to getting to know these guys personally while working with them on the practice field, in meetings and even in the dining facilities.”

 Shanahan has 15 seasons of coaching experience in the NFL, the past two as the 49ers’ head coach, where he has compiled a 10-22 record. Prior to his first head coaching position, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons (2015-2016), Cleveland Browns (2014), Washington Redskins (2010-2013) and Houston Texans (2008-2009).

 Following the 2016 season, in which the Falcons appeared in Super Bowl LI, Shanahan was named the Associated Press Assistant Coach of the Year.

January All-Star Games 2019 Postseason Schedule

Jan. 5-9 – College Gridiron Showcase, Fort Worth, Texas

Jan. 13 – Tropical Bowl – FBS All-star Game – Daytona Beach, Florida
                      http://www.tropicalbowl.com/

Jan. 19 NFLPA Collegiate Game –
      Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, Ca.– FS1

     Jan. 19 – East-West Shrine – St. Petersburg, Florida – 3 pm est – NFL Network
     For Complete East-West Shrine All-star Game info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to http://www.shrinegame.com/
 
*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***

                       Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
For Complete Senior Bowl info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

Cardinals Hold 1^st Overall Pick Selection Entering Final  NFL Weekend

Frank Coyle/ Publisher – Head Scout

 With just one game remaining in the 2018 season, the first round order for the NFL Draft 2019 is shaping the selection process. Currently, 16 clubs still have mathematical chances to earn playoff spots. All NFC division winners have been decided, though one wild card playoff club remains to join Seattle. The AFC playoff picture is more complicated with only the Patriots claiming a division title. The three other AFC divisions are still open with eight teams vying for the five remaining playoff positions.  

 Arizona has the #1 off their 3-12 record. The 49ers remain at the 2^nd overall selection off opponent’s won/loss records, though tied with the Jets and Oakland at 4-11. The Lions, Bucs, Bills, Giants and Jaguars hold the #5 thru #9 overall choices on the merit of their poor 5-10 records. There is a logjam with four clubs at 6-9 that will impact the top half of the first round over the final Sunday of the 2018 season.

 This weekend features a few key matchups, Atlanta at Tampa and Detroit at Green Bay that can shuffle the top 10 selections for all of those clubs. Arizona, San Fran, Jets and Raiders all have road divisional games that will determine the final draft order at the very top of the selection process.

 Opponents’ W-L record will be posted next week after all 16 opponents for each team and the final draft order.  Teams that are tied are currently ranked in the order of their opponents won/loss record.

Current First Round Draft Order

# / Team / W-L /
1 Arizona          3-12
2 San Francisco  4-11
3 NY Jets          4-11
4 Oakland         4-11
5 Detroit           5-10
6 Tampa Bay    5-10
7 Buffalo          5-10
8 NY Giants      5-10
9 Jacksonville   5-10
10 Atlanta         6-9
11 Carolina       6-9
12 Denver         6-9
13 Cincinnati     6-9
14 Green Bay    6-8-1
15 Miami           7-8
16 Washington  7-8
17 Cleveland     7-7-1
18 Philadelphia 8-7
19 Pittsburgh    8-6-1
20 Tennessee    9-6
21 Minnesota    8-6-1
22 Indianapolis  9-6
23 Seattle         9-6
24 Oakland (Dallas)       9-6
25 Baltimore     9-6
26 Houston       10-5
27 New England            10-5
28 Oakland (Chicago)    11-4
29 L.A. Chargers           11-4
30 L.A. Rams    12-3
31 Kansas City  11-4
32 Green Bay (New Orleans)      13-2

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

NFL Power Poll – Week 16

Frank Coyle/ Head Scout

NFL Power Poll – Bears Clinch NFC North Division
Chargers Clinch Playoff Berth – Tied With Chiefs for AFC West Division

Team of the Week  
    L.A. Chargers edge Kansas City Chiefs, 29-28

Upset of the Week
Philadelphia beats LA Rams, 30-23

 Players of the Week 
  Offense – QB Philip Rivers – Chargers     
  Defense – DE Melvin Ingram – Chargers

Rookies of Week
    Offense – RB Jaylen Samuels – Steelers
    Defense – LB Darius Leonard – Colts

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Game of Week #16 – Baltimore Ravens (8-6) at LA Chargers (11-3)  
Both clubs still alive for divisional titles

Draft Insiders’ – NFL Power Poll – Week 16

NFL Ranking /Record /Team

#1 – 12-2 Saints
Saints’ returned to the victory column quickly vs the Panthers.

#2 -11-3 Rams
Rams’ are starting to look ordinary the past few weeks.

#3 – 11-3 Chiefs
Chiefs’ lost a shootout to the Chargers. Go to Seattle in a huge matchup for both clubs.

#4 – 11-3 Chargers
Chargers have been relentless, showing the maturity to win key contests.

#5 – 10-4 Texans
Texans’ returned to the winning column vs the Jets. Look to clinch AFC South with win in Philly.

#6 – 10-4 Bears
The Bears beat the Packers in last one to clinch North title.

#7 – 9-5 Patriots
Pats lost their second game in a row. Probably lose home field advantage beyond the first round of playoffs.

#8 – 8-6 Seahawks
Seahawks lost to the 49ers in overtime that may cost them a playoff berth.

#9 – 8-6 Cowboys
The Cowboys were shutout by the Colts after five straight wins. Host the Bucs hoping for division title win.

#10 – 8-5-1 Steelers
Steelers’ beat the Patriots in a must win situation. Travel to New Orleans in another huge game to hold their AFC North leadership.

#11 – 8-6 Ravens
Ravens beat the Bucs to pressure the Steelers. Face the Chargers on the West coast Saturday that can define both divisions.

#12 – 8-6 Colts
Colts’ Andrew Luck came up big again, this time vs the Cowboys. Host the Giants in another must win situation on Sunday.

#13 – 8-6 Titans
The Titans shutout the GMen. Host the Skins this Sunday and must win to stay abreast in crazy AFC wild card race.

#14 – 7-7 Dolphins
Dolphins caved on to the Vikings in last one. Host Bucs holding on to long playoff chances.

#15 – 7-7 Eagles
Eagles refuse to die and won huge matchup with NFC leading Rams. Host the tough Texans in their next must win spot.

#16 – 7-6-1 Vikings
Vikings beat the Dolphins in a big win. Face the Lions in a must win trap game situation for any playoff hopes.

#17 – 7-7 Redskins
The Redskins edged out a win vs the Jaguars. Travel to Tennessee in a tough game that can end their playoff hopes.

#18 – 6-7-1 Browns
Browns are a tough out and beat the Broncos to stay mathematically alive for wild card spot.

#19- 6-8 Broncos
Broncos came up empty again with another horrible loss this time to the Browns. Face the Raiders playing only for pride vs a hated rival.

#20 – 6-8 Panthers
Panthers were inept again offensively, losing their sixth straight game this time to the Saints.

#21 – 6-8 Bengals
Bengals’ beat the Raiders in a meaningless game, holding on to respectability.

#22 – 5-9 Giants
The Giants played poorly last week vs the Titans that ended any playoff mathematical chances.

#23 – 5-8-1 Packers
The Packers were eliminated by the hated Bears last week. Expect a huge offseason turnover here.

#24 – 5-9 Lions
Lions lost to the lowly Bills. Host the Vikings hoping to play spoiler.

#25 – 5-9 Falcons
Falcons wacked the Cardinals in the basement bowl. Face Panthers in the disappointment bowl.

#26 – 5-9 Bucs
Bucs came up short in Baltimore. Travel to Big D dreaming of keeping Cowboys on the outside of the playoffs.

#27 – 5-9 Bills
Bills beat the Lions with rookie QB Josh Allen at the helm. Travel to New England in a huge test for their first year starter.

#28 – 4-10 Jaguars
Jaguars’ lost to the struggling Skins. They look to end the Dolphins playoff dreams this week.

#29 – 4-10 Jets
Jets’ lost to the Texans. Host the struggling Packers this Sunday in maybe their last chance to taste victory in 2018.

#30 – 4-10 49ers
The 49ers shocked the Seahawks in overtime. Host the tough Bears this Sunday.

#31 – 3-11 Cardinals
Cardinals’ pathetic offense came up short vs the Saints. Playing out the string, hosting the Rams this week.

#32 – 3-11 Raiders
Raiders will try to suck it up vs the hated Broncos. Huge roster turnover will continue this offseason.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Draft Insiders’ Rookie Spotlight – FB Jaylen Samuels – Steelers

Frank Coyle

       Draft Insiders’ will post Rookie spotlight players regularly and their Scouting Report from our NFL Draft 2018 Yearbook. Scouting Reports are written from the fall into March annually.

NFL Review 2018 – June 2018

With one of their two 5th round picks, they selected FB Jaylen Samuels.  Samuels is one of the more versatile players in this class. He plays a few positions at a high level – fullback, running back, H-back and receiver. He gives them a unique weapon on the play clock to shift into a multiple of alignments. He has excellent hands and can play the 3rd down back role where he is also a factor as a runner in a single backfield. Excellent pick to give this offense many options. He was a steal at the 165th overall selection.

NFL Yearbook – 2018 – March 2018

1 Jaylen Samuels #1 – North Carolina St             6-0       225 – Sp. 4.55
        Player Comparison: Karlos Williams                                Rating 80
Athletic versatile senior was a valuable cog in the NC St. resurgence over the past few seasons, earning ACC honors his final two years. Big back with powerful frame which has allowed him to line up at several positions and perform at a high level. Deluxe ‘Swiss Army’ knife with natural skills and good overall athleticism. Fairly tall as runners go with good well-proportioned weight. All around performer who, during his NC State career, lined up one time or another at every offensive position other than the line. One of the most versatile and talented performers to come along in many years. He was used as a runner near the goal line. Very effective as a zone scheme runner from anywhere on the field. Showed the ability to be an effective lead blocker. Lined up wide as a receiver, or in the slot. Sometimes used as an inline Y tight end. Displayed fine power as a runner, to break tackles, whether taking handoffs or after the catch. At times, he can run too straight up which negates his power to make maximum yardage after contact. Reliable power runner when he keeps his pads down and a good short yardage and goal line back. Fine initial quickness with very good vision and also a fine stiff arm he uses effectively at times. On bubble screens, showed the juke ability to make the first man miss often with fine acceleration to take the ball and head upfield. As a receiver, he displays good hand-eye coordination and the body control to adjust and snare off line passes. Turns upfield after the catch to get nice yardage Field speed is better than track speed and he was able to make many big chunk yardage plays as a receiver or runner for the Wolfpack. Very effective on shovel passes when coming back inside from a TE position. Outstanding hands as a receiver, no matter where in the formation he lines up from. Goes up and plucks high throws or takes them off his shoe tops and secures them. Dynamic weapon on the jet sweep in the Wildcat, or at times taking a direct snap. The ACC even created an “all-purpose” category on their postseason all-conference team to fit a player with Samuels’ skill-set. Reads and follows his blocks well and displays enough lateral quickness to bounce runs outside and gain the edge.

The Numbers: For his career, he gained 1107 yards on 182 carries, 6.1 average and 28 TDs. Caught 201 passes for 1738 and 19 TDs. As a senior, he rushed for 407 yards on 78 attempts with 12 TDs and caught 59 passes for 480 yards and 4 TDs. In 2016, he rushed for 189 yards on just 33 attempts for a 5.7 yard average and 5 TDs with 55 catches for 565 yards and 7 TDs. At the NFL Combine, he came in at over 5’11” and 225 lbs. He ran a 4.54 time and did 18 reps, a 34.5” VL and a 10’1” BJ. Added a 4.28 shuttle and 6.93 three cone. Did well in the positional drills showing reliable hands.

The Skinny: Hard-nosed unique versatile performer with high grades as fullback/running back, tight end, H-back and slot receiver. Highly productive in those roles vs quality D1 competition. Short yardage back with strong leg drive between the tackles. Shows the ability to get the tough yardage and is a good goal line runner who seldom goes down on initial contact. As a blocker, he gained valuable experience in a pro set and showed the toughness to contain backers. Marginal top 100 prospect and one of the more underrated backs in this class. Good production with skills to be a fine change of pace runner and deluxe utility performer. Must be used properly by coach in an offense that features his versatile skill set. Fine short zone receiver.
Draft Projection: 3rd-4th Round

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

Quarterbacks Stidham & Grier Added to Senior Bowl Roster

Accepted Invitations Grow to 84 Pro Prospects

Mobile, Ala. – West Virginia QB Will Grier and Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham have both accepted invitations to the 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl, pushing the total number of QBs committed to the game to six.

Grier and Stidham, a fourth-year junior who will graduate in December, are among 32 players announced recently by the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Stidham is the second junior to accept an invitation to this year’s game, after Utah State tight end Dax Raymond. Juniors who have graduated are eligible for the Senior Bowl.

Visit the Senior Bowl at www.seniorbowl.com for all information of the premier All-star Classic

The other quarterbacks on the roster are Ryan Finley (NC State), Trace McSorley (Penn St.), Gardner Minshew (Washington St.) and Clayton Thorson (Northwestern), with a couple more expected to be added in the next couple of weeks.

Georgia linebacker D’Andre Walker, Michigan linebacker Chase Winovich, South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel and Washington offensive lineman Kaleb McGary are among the new standouts added to the roster.

The 34 additions push the roster total to 84. Most recent acceptances:

Complete List of Senior Bowl 2019 Invitations
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/accepted-invites.php

New Accepted Senior Bowl Invitations
Jake Bailey, P, Stanford
Tyre Brady, WR, Marshall
Yodny Cajuste, OL, West Virginia
LJ Collier, DL, TCU
Chuma Edoga, OL, USC
Mike Edwards, DB, Kentucky
Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion
Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington
Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri
Alec Ingold, FB, Wisconsin
Jalen Jelks, LB, Oregon
Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo
Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky
Jonathan Ledbetter, DL, Georgia
Alize’ Mack, TE, Notre Dame
Kaleb McGary, OL, Washington
Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford
Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose State
Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State
Hunter Renfrow, WR, Clemson
Drew Sample, TE, Washington
Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
Max Scharping, OL, Northern Illinois
David Sills V, WR, West Virginia
Cameron Smith, LB, USC
D’Andre Walker, LB, Georgia
Trevon Wesco, FB/TE, West Virginia
Alex Wesley, WR, Northern Colorado
Darius West, DB, Kentucky
Chase Winovich, LB, Michigan
Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah
Renell Wren, DL, Arizona St.

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

College Football Awards 2018 – SEC Dominates Award Winners

Heisman Trophy Winner will be announced on Sat, Dec. 8^th on ESPN at 8 pm
QBs, Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins are Heisman Trophy Finalists

Maxwell Award
Outstanding Player
2018     Tua Tagovailoa Alabama
2017     Baker Mayfield  Oklahoma
2016     Lamar Jackson Louisville

Walter Camp Award
Player of the Year Award
2018     Tua Tagovailoa Alabama
2017     Baker Mayfield  Oklahoma
2016     Lamar Jackson Louisville

Doak Walker Award
National Running Back Award
2018     Jonathan Taylor            Wisconsin
2017     Bryce Love       Stanford
2016     D’Onta Foreman            Texas

Davey O’Brien Award
National Quarterback Award
2018     Kyler Murray      Oklahoma
2017     Baker Mayfield    Oklahoma
2016     Deshaun Watson           Clemson

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Outstanding Senior QB
2018     Gardner Minshew          WSU
2017     Mason Rudolph Oklahoma St
2016     Deshaun Watson           Clemson

Fred Biletnikoff Award
Outstanding Receiver
2018     Jerry Jeudy       Alabama
2017     James Washington        Oklahoma St
2016     Dede Westbrook           Oklahoma

John Mackey Award
Outstanding Tight End
2018     T.J. Hockenson Iowa
2017     Mark Andrews   Oklahoma
2016     Jake Butt          Michigan

Outland Trophy
Outstanding Interior Lineman
2018     Quinnen Williams          Alabama
2017     Ed Oliver           Houston
2016     Cam Robinson  Alabama

Lombardi Award
Nation’s Top Player
Announcement this weekend
2017     Bryce Love       Stanford
2016     Jonathan Allen  Alabama
2015     Carl Nassib       PSU

Rimington Trophy
Outstanding Center
2018     Garrett Bradbury           N.C. St
2017     Billy Price          OSU
2016     Pat Elflein         OSU

Chuck Bednarik Award
Defensive Player of the Year
2018     Josh Allen         UK
2017     Minkah Fitzpatrick         Alabama
2016     Jonathan Allen  Alabama

Bronko Nagurski Award
Defensive Player of the Year
2018     Josh Allen         UK
2017     Bradley Chubb  N.C. ST
2016     Jonathan Allen  Alabama

Dick Butkus Award
Outstanding Linebacker
2018     Devin White      LSU
2017     Roquan Smith   Georgia
2016     Reuben Foster  Alabama

Jim Thorpe Award
Outstanding Defensive Back
2018     Deandre Baker  Georgia
2017     Minkah Fitzpatrick         Alabama
2016     Adoree’ Jackson           USC

Lou Groza Award
Collegiate Place-kicker Award
2018     Andre Szmyt     Syracuse
2017     Matt Gay           Utah
2016     Zane Gonzalez  ASU

Ray Guy Award
Outstanding Punter
2018     Braden Mann    Texas A&M
2017     Michael Dickson           Texas
2016     Mitch Wishnowsky         Utah

Ted Hendricks Award
Defensive End of the Year Award
2018     Clelin Ferrell      Clemson
2017     Bradley Chubb  N.C. ST
2016     Jonathan Allen  Alabama

Campbell Trophy
Top-scholar Athlete
2018     Christian Wilkins            Clemson
2017     Micah Kiser       Virginia
2016     Zach Terrell       WMU

The Home Depot Award
Coach of the Year
2018     Brian Kelly        ND
2017     Scott Frost        UCF
2016     Mike MacIntyre  Colorado

Frank Broyles Award
Assistant Coach of the Year
2018     Mike Anthony Locksley  Maryland
2017     Tony Elliott       Clemson
2016     Brent Venables   Clemson

Lott IMPACT Trophy
Outstanding Defensive Player
2017     Josey Jewell     Iowa
2016     Jabrill Peppers  Michigan
2015     Carl Nassib       PSU

Paul Hornung Award
Most Versatile Player
2018     Rondale Moore Purdue
2017     Saquon Barkley PSU
2016     Jabrill Peppers  Michigan

Disney Spirit Award
Most Inspirational Player or Team
2018     Tyler Trent         Purdue
2017     Iowa     Iowa
2016     James Conner   Pittsburgh

Wuerffel Trophy
Top Community Servant of the Year
2018     Drue Tranquill    ND
2017     Courtney Love  UK
2016     Trevor Knight    Texas A&M

Frank Coyle is a long time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

College Football 2018-2019 Bowl Schedule

The College Bowl games this season kick off on Saturday, Dec. 15 with six contests on the schedule — Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, AutoNation Cure Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl, Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, and R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

The College Football Playoff Semifinals will feature No. 2 Clemson hosting No. 3 Notre Dame in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl and No. 1 Alabama hosting No. 4 Oklahoma in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Those games will be played on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET, respectively.

Semifinal winners will meet on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019 in the College Football National Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

College Football Playoff

All times Eastern Standard
Date/    Bowl/ Time (TV) Matchup

Jan. 7   National Championship
Santa Clara, Calif.         8 p.m. (ESPN)   TBA vs. TBA

National Semi-Finals
  Dec. 29 – Cotton Bowl 
Arlington, Texas            4 p.m. (ESPN)   No. 2 Clemson (13-0) vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (12-0)

  Dec. 29 – Orange Bowl
Miami Gardens, Fla.      8 p.m. (ESPN)   No. 1 Alabama (13-0) vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1)

College Football 2018-2019 Bowl Schedule

Saturday, Dec 15, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl
North Carolina A&T vs. Alcorn State       Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, GA       12:00 pm  ABC

AutoNation Cure Bowl
Tulane vs. Louisiana      Camping World Stadium
Orlando, FL       1:30 pm   CBSSN

New Mexico Bowl
North Texas vs. Utah State        Dreamstyle Stadium
Albuquerque, NM          2:00 pm   ESPN

Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl
21 Fresno State vs. Arizona State          Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas, NV  3:30 pm   ABC

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Georgia Southern vs. Eastern Michigan  Cramton Bowl
Montgomery, AL            5:30 pm   ESPN

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Middle Tennessee vs. Appalachian State            Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans, LA           9:00 pm  ESPN

Tuesday, Dec 18, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl
UAB vs. Northern Illinois            FAU Stadium
Boca Raton, FL 7:00 pm   ESPN

Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

DXL Frisco Bowl
San Diego State vs. Ohio           Toyota Stadium
Frisco, TX         8:00 pm  ESPN

Thursday, Dec 20, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
Marshall vs. USF           Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, FL        8:00 pm   ESPN

Friday, Dec 21, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
FIU vs. Toledo  Thomas Robinson Stadium
Nassau, Bahamas         12:30 pm  ESPN

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Western Michigan vs. BYU         Albertson’s Stadium
Boise, ID           4:00 pm   ESPN

Saturday, Dec 22, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Jared Birmingham Bowl
Memphis vs. Wake Forest          Legion Field
Birmingham, AL 12:00 pm   ESPN

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Houston vs. Army          Amon G. Carter Stadium
Fort Worth, TX  3:30 pm   ESPN

Dollar General Bowl
Buffalo vs. Troy Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Mobile, AL        7:00 pm  ESPN

SoFi Hawai’i Bowl
Hawaii vs. Louisiana Tech          Aloha Stadium
Honolulu, HI      10:30 pm    ESPN

Wednesday, Dec 26, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Boston College vs. 25 Boise State          Cotton Bowl Stadium
Dallas, TX         1:30 pm   ESPN

Quick Lane Bowl
Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech       Ford Field
Detroit, MI         5:15 pm   ESPN

Cheez-It Bowl
California vs. TCU          Chase Field
Phoenix, AZ      9:00 pm  ESPN

Thursday, Dec 27, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Walk-On’s Independence Bowl
Temple vs. Duke           Independence Stadium
Shreveport, LA  1:30 pm   ESPN

New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Miami (FL) vs. Wisconsin           Yankee Stadium
Bronx, NY         5:15 pm   ESPN

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl
Baylor vs. Vanderbilt      NRG Stadium
Houston, TX      9:00 pm   ESPN

Friday, Dec 28, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Franklin Amer. Mort. Music City Bowl
Purdue vs. Auburn         Nissan Stadium
Nashville, TN     1:30 pm  ESPN

Camping World Bowl
16 West Virginia vs. 20 Syracuse           Camping World Stadium
Orlando, FL       5:15 pm  ESPN

Valero Alamo Bowl
24 Iowa State vs. 13 Washington State   Alamodome
San Antonio, TX            9:00 pm   ESPN

Saturday, Dec 29, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Belk Bowl
South Carolina vs. Virginia         Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, NC    12:00 pm    ABC

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
10 Florida vs. 7 Michigan           Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, GA       12:00 pm  ESPN

NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Arkansas State vs. Nevada        Arizona Stadium
Tucson, AZ       1:15 pm  CBSSN

Goodyear Cotton Bowl
3 Notre Dame vs. 2 Clemson     AT&T Stadium
Arlington, TX     4:00 pm   ESPN

Capital One Orange Bowl
4 Oklahoma vs. 1 Alabama        Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, FL        8:00 pm  ESPN

Monday, Dec 31, 2018
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Military Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech        Navy-Marine Corps Mem. Stadium
Annapolis, MD  12:00 pm  ESPN

Hyundai Sun Bowl
Stanford vs. Pitt Sun Bowl Stadium
El Paso, TX       2:00 pm  CBS

Redbox Bowl
Michigan State vs. Oregon         Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara, CA            3:00 pm  FOX

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
23 Missouri vs. Oklahoma State Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Memphis, TN     3:45 pm  ESPN

SDCCU Holiday Bowl
22 Northwestern vs. 17 Utah      Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, CA  7:00 pm    FS1

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
NC State vs. 19 Texas A&M       TIAA Bank Field
Jacksonville, FL 7:30 pm  ESPN

Tuesday, Jan 1, 2019
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV

Outback Bowl
18 Mississippi State vs. Iowa     Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, FL        12:00 pm  ESPN2

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
11 LSU vs. 8 UCF          State Farm Stadium
Glendale, AZ     1:00 pm   ESPN

VRBO Citrus Bowl
14 Kentucky vs. 12 Penn State   Camping World Stadium
Orlando, FL       1:00 pm  ABC

Rose Bowl Game
9 Washington vs. 6 Ohio State   Rose Bowl Stadium
Pasadena, CA   5:00 pm ESPN

Allstate Sugar Bowl
15 Texas vs. 5 Georgia  Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans, LA           8:45 pm  ESPN

Monday, Jan 7, 2019
Bowl     Location           Time (ET) / TV   Tickets

College Football Playoff National Championship
Semifinal Winners          Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara, CA            8:00 pm  ESPN

NFL Draft 2019 – First Round Draft Selection Order

With four games remaining in the 2018 season, the first round order for the NFL Draft 2019 is shaping the selection process. Currently, as many as 28 clubs still have mathematical chances to earn playoff spots. This weekend will probably eliminate another 5-6 clubs from any postseason play.

San Francisco and Oakland remain at the #1 and #2 spots with their 2-10 records. The 49ers earn the first overall selection currently on a weaker strength of opponents Won Loss record. The Jets and Cardinals hold the #3 and #4 overall choices on the merit of their poor 3-9 records. There is a logjam with five clubs at 4-8 and another two teams with a 4-7-1 records.

This weekend features a few key matchups, Jets vs Bills, Falcons vs Packers, Lions vs Cardinals that can change the top 10-12 selection spots significantly.

# Team / W-L / Opponents W-L %

1 San Francisco –  2-10    .526
2 Oakland       –  2-10      .568
3 NY Jets        –  3-9        .503
4 Arizona        –  3-9        .521
5 Detroit         –  4-8        .500
6 Atlanta         –  4-8        .503
7 NY Giants    –  4-8        .510
8 Buffalo        –  4-8        .521
9 Jacksonville –  4-8        .544
10 Green Bay   – 4-7-1     .479
11 Cleveland   –  4-7-1     .536
12 Tampa Bay – 5-7        .505
13 Cincinnati   –  5-7        .531
14 Miami         –  6-6        .453
15 Indianapolis  – 6-6        .469
16 Washington  – 6-6        .477
17 Carolina     –  6-6        .500
18 Tennessee  –  6-6        .516
19 Denver       –  6-6        .526
20 Philadelphia – 6-6        .529
21 Minnesota  –  6-5-1     .490
22 Oakland (Dallas)  –     7-5        .484
23 Seattle      –   7-5        .495
24 Baltimore  –   7-5        .500
25 Pittsburgh  –  7-4-1     .510
26 Oakland (Chicago)  –  8-4        .438
27 Houston     –  9-3        .456
28 New England  –          9-3        .477
29 LA Chargers – 9-3        .478
30 Green Bay (New Orleans)  –    10-2      .492
31 Kansas City  – 10-2      .490
32 LA Rams     – 11-1      .469