Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Outback Bowl: No one has doubted Melvin Gordon throughout his career, nor this season. The already declared junior running back was pencilled in as the top back in the 2015 draft and after his performance in the Outback Bowl win over Auburn that ranking may now be written in ink. Gordon showcased his Heisman caliber abilities on Jan. 1 with a spectacular game rushing for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Yes, the Auburn defense, and now most SEC teams, don't fit the usual SEC defensive mold, but running for 250+ yards on any defense is mightily impressive.
Gordon's Report: Running backs haven't been a hot commodity in recent draft history and righty so with the lack of production from former first round picks with David Wilson, Trent Richardson, Beanie Wells, and some others. Gordon may be the exception due to his great combination of good size and great speed with production off the charts to go along with his attributes. An injured Todd Gurley gives Gordon the spot on draft boards and now could be a lock for a first round pick.
Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
Birmingham Bowl: Dante Fowler, Jr. has been high on draft boards since the preseason and has stayed as one of the top defenders throughout the season. Fowler proved his talents and abilities in a win over ECU this past Saturday with three sacks and did anything he wanted to with an inferior ECU offensive line. Week by week Fowler could've quit on Florida's long disappointing 6-6 season, but he continued to jump off game tape with quick first moves and taking on double teams and still being effective.
Fowler's Report: Defensive lineman can quickly become hot names in draft talk due to size and stats. Fowler has both. I'm not a big stats guy (not saying they don't matter) especially on the defensive side because I don't believe they necessarily make or break a player. Fowler has a great frame and has knack for rushing the passer, whether playing inside or outside either at defensive end or standing up playing buck. His constant effort and ability to dominate SEC offensive line makes him a shoe-in for the first round.
Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
Rose Bowl: Evaluating a left tackle or offensive lineman in a hurry up no huddle offense can be difficult, but also pretty easy. Jake Fisher makes it easy by literally impacting the offensive play calling by the Oregon offense running plays specifically designed to run to his side. Fisher had his work cut out for him versus Florida State battling against another top draft prospect Mario Edwards. Fisher was not phased at all by Edwards' presence or play by making a statue out of him throughout the game. Fisher will now matchup against another pair of solid college football players in Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington for Ohio State. If Fisher can continue to play at a high level versus the top tier teams, he very well could move up the rankings in a pretty solid offensive tackle class.
Fisher's Report: At 6'6 300, Fisher is on the move constantly supporting a nice base in pass protection and effective on the move in the screen game on initial blocks and entering the second layer and putting a nose on the linebackers and secondary.
Vic Beasley, OLB/DE, Clemson
Russell Athletic Bowl: ACC players get a lot of flack and not much pub for playing "bad" opponents in their conference. Vic Beasley has dominated ACC play and displayed his skills versus Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Beasley's stat line: 5 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and one sack. Beasley flew off the edge against two of the better offensive tackles in the game and one of the better tackle duos in Tyrus Thompson (6'5 336) and Daryl Williams (6'6 329). He also helped yield the Oklahoma offense to only six points en route to a 36 point victory for Clemson.
Beasley's Report: Vic Beasley will enter the draft as one of the top stat packers on the defensive side of the ball with a career stat line of 33 sacks, 52.5 tackles for loss, 13 hurries, seven forced fumbles, and nine pass breakups. Wow! Beasley will be considered a tweener through the draft process, but wherever you decide to lineup this dude he will get to the quarterback someway and somehow. There's no questioning that.
Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
Alamo Bowl: Paul Perkins hasn't been too much of a highly talked about product this season for the Bruins, so many may wonder why he made this list, but after his Alamo Bowl performance many people may have some questions about his draft possibilities. Perkinds rushed for 194 yards with two touchdowns on 20 carries in win over Kansas State. Perkins acred the game winning points for the Bruins on a 67 yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. With a struggling offensive line throughout the season Perkins still lead the Pac-12 in rushing over some heavily talented backs.
Perkins' Report: From me and many others, Perkins projects to stay in school as he could be one of the top runners in 2016's draft. Perkins has nice agility and great speed rumored at a sub-4.40 40 time. Perkins finished his 2014 season with 1,572 and nine touchdowns, but still could benefit off another year in school. Watch out for this guy next season!
Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
Fiesta Bowl: If Jay Ajayi needed any more reason to showcase himself as a top running back, he signed off on it after his three touchdown performance in the Vizio Fiesta Bowl. Ajayi anchored the Boise State offense to 38 points over a defense that ranked 41st in rushing defense on the season. Ajayi finished the night with 134 yards on 22 carries.
Ajayi's Report: Ajayi has always been high on my radar and seems to making more a nd more headlines of those who write about the draft. Ajayi has great size at 6'0 215 and runs well clocking a 4.54 forty. For a bigger back he plays smooth and is very agile and is also effective in the passing game. Follow me on Twitter (@cpage2911) and you will hear me constantly talk about this solid runner.
Shaquille Mason, OL, Georgia Tech
Orange Bowl: Shaquille Mason is a highly respected offensive lineman in the ACC taking down many awards and honors after the regular season. Mason's size has been talked about only filling out a 6'1 300lb. frame and his durability has been questioned, but his game speaks for itself. Versus a stout Mississippi State front, Mason held his own helping guide the Jackets to a 49-34 victory and paving way for a 452 yard rushing performance.
Mason's Report: His lack of size could turn scouts away immediately, but Mason is a gamer and has excelled in this Georgia Tech rushing offense. Mason has faced many top players in the ACC heading to the draft this spring with great leverage, instincts, and initial quickness off the snap. Mason definitely has the capability of being a "boom or bust" type guy, but needs some grooming to really become a diamond in the rough in which I expect him to be.
Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
Cotton Bowl: We know the pedigree of Bryce Petty and the Baylor offense; throw it downfield and back off slow defensive backs and the fast receivers in Waco. But Petty may have the best pro-ready skill set than all the previous quarterbacks under Art Briles at Baylor. Petty delivered a nice showing in his final collegiate game throwing for 550 yards with a 71% completion rate with three touchdown tosses and one rushing score. Petty had a great game even though ending the game on an interception, though being under duress the last few minutes of the game.
Petty's Report: Petty is an intriguing prospect to evaluate being an offense that produces plenty of statistics for either a great or just an average passer (Nick Florence). Petty has a good, not great, skill set to be one of the top quarterbacks in a fairly weak class. Petty is one of those guy you want to sit under a veteran to learn the basics before taking the ropes of a franchise.
Other players that helped their stock:
Markus Golden, DE, Missouri
Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech
Trey Williams, RB/RET, Texas A&M