College football bowl season continues Thursday with four games on the docket
The Eagles will have a late first-round pick and no second- or third-rounders. But Howie Roseman isn't one to sit on his hands come draft day.
Here are eight prospects in action today that could help the Eagles next season.
Virginia-Army
Military Bowl (1:30 p.m./ESPN)
No. 3 - Quin Blanding, S, Virginia, senior (6-2/210)
Blanding has been a four-year starter for the Cavaliers and a very productive one at that. He's recorded at least 115 tackles in each one of his four seasons at Virginia. He's also hauled in 10 interceptions, including a career-high four picks this season. He's strong in the run game, which will be on display today against Navy. He's fairly instinctive, knows his assignments and rarely gets caught out of position. But his foot speed to recover can be a problem if a receiver or back gets by him. He'll likely be a mid-round pick because of his lack of athleticism.
No. 53 - Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia, senior (6-2/240)
Kiser has been a full-time starter the last three years at Virginia and he's been extremely disruptive. He's amassed at least 117 tackles in the last three seasons while piling up 33 1/2 tackles and 19 sacks in that span. He's also got a nose for the football, forcing eight fumbles in his career. His character is also off the charts. Kiser was the recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, otherwise known as the "academic Heisman." He's also suiting up today against Navy after having surgery on his right thumb earlier this month. If he slips to the middle rounds, the Eagles should be all over him.
No. 22 Virginia Tech- No. 19 Oklahoma State
Camping World Bowl (5:15 p.m./ESPN)
No. 49 - Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech, junior (6-5/236)
Simply put, Edmunds is a beast. He's collected 206 tackles (33 for a loss) and 10 sacks the last two seasons combined. He has tremendous size, strength and instincts. He stuffs the run and looks smooth in coverage. He hasn't declared for the draft, but if he does, there's a strong possibility he'll be the first 'backer off the board. He's the most talented player that will take the field for any team Thursday.
No. 28 - James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State, senior (6-1/205)
Washington was a player that would've been viewed highly if he had come out last season. He chose instead to come back and play one more season with senior quarterback Mason Rudolph. The duo was explosive yet again for the Cowboys. Washington was this year's recipient of the Biletnikoff Trophy as the nation's best receiver. He's also just 66 yards away from being Oklahoma State's all-time leading receiver. He's gone for at least 1,300 yards and 10 TDs in each of the last two seasons. He lacks the desired height for a No. 1 receiver, but he has strong hands and has quick feet.
NFL
No. 13 Stanford-No. 15 TCU
Valero Alamo Bowl (9 p.m./ESPN)
No. 20 - Bryce Love, RB, Stanford, junior (5-10/196)
What else is there to say about Love? He was the best running back in college football this season, a Heisman Trophy finalist and the Pac 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Love rushed for 1,973 yards with a ridiculous 8.3 yards per carry and 17 TDs. He's obviously undersized but he's too explosive not to have a spot in the NFL. The one odd thing about Love is, he hasn't done much in the passing game at Stanford (six catches this season). That'll be something to monitor during the pre-draft process.
No. 32 - Travin Howard, LB, TCU, senior (6-1/213)
Howard has been a leader on a very good Hornfrogs' defense. While playing mostly safety as a sophomore, Howard recorded 107 tackles, then amassed 130 last year while transitioning to linebacker. He's been banged up at times this season but should be a go for today's game. Howard is undersized at 213 pounds, but he's an intriguing fit in today's NFL. Players like the Rams' Mark Barron and the Cardinals Deone Bucannon have had success as hybrid players at the next level. He'd be an interesting piece in the Eagles' defense.
No. 18 Washington State-No. 16 Michigan State
Holiday Bowl (9 p.m./FS1)
No. 50 - Hercules Mata’afa, DE, Washington State, junior (6-2/252)
Aside from having easily the coolest name in college football, Mata’afa has also been a productive player for the Cougars. He's racked up 9 1/2 sacks and 21 1/2 tackles for a loss this season. Despite his size, he lined up mostly as a tackle this season thanks to his son of Zeus-like strength. He'd fit Jim Schwartz's scheme as a player that attacks the line of scrimmage with the versatility to take pass rush snaps inside.
No. 3 - LJ Scott, RB, Michigan State, junior (6-1/229)
Scott is as frustrating a back as there is in college football. Every so often he'll blow you away with a performance like his 25 for 194 game against Minnesota or his 29 for 147 outing against Maryland. But mixed in will be much more uninspired performances. So which Scott will we see tonight? Who knows? Watching the tape, you can see a big, bruising back with surprisingly nimble feet and great balance and vision. If that guy shows up tonight, expect a nice boost in Scott's stock.