Beef O'Brady's Bowl Game Preview: Southern Miss vs Louisville

Southern Miss


DT Anthony Gray, Southern Miss – Being undersized at around 6’ and 320 lbs, Gray will have trouble fitting into every team's defense in the NFL. So, he will have to make his mark as an undersized nose tackle. He is a tough football player and is hard to move despite his size. This season he has 42 total tackles, 5.5 solo, and 1.5 sacks. With NFL teams always looking for defensive linemen that can play in the 3-4 scheme, Gray will have a shot at getting drafted in the late rounds.

Louisville

CB Johnny Patrick, Louisville - Patrick has good size at around 5’11’’ 190 lbs, and also has superb strength for a cornerback. He's been moving up the ranks of senior cornerbacks for next year’s draft. He has the skills to play man coverage and he also can be effective in a Tampa Two style defense because he is a willing tackler. He has good speed and quickness and this season has 47 total tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1 sack, 5 interceptions, 11 pass break-ups and 16 passes defended. Right now NFL teams have him graded as a 2nd round pick in this April’s NFL Draft.


RB Bilal Powell, Louisville – Coming into the year Powell had a low free-agent grade from NFL teams, but has played well enough to move up the charts and right now has a 5th round grade from NFL teams. He is a big, physical running back who has good size at 6’, 210 lbs, and does a good job running downhill and behind his pads. He is also a better overall athlete than people give him credit for, and also has the ability to catch the football out of the backfield. This season he has rushed for 1,330 yards, averaged 6.3 yards per carry and scored 10 rushing touchdowns. He also has caught 16 passes for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns.


TE Cameron Graham, Louisville - Graham is Louisville’s’ leading receiver with 37 catches for 439 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has good size for a tight end at around 6’4’’ 250 lbs and looks the part. He has shown that he has the ability to block as well as get down the middle of the field to catch the football. He has good hands but needs to get better at running routes. He is one of the tight ends that is moving up teams boards and right now NFL teams have a 6th round grade on him.