2021 NFL Draft Weekly Risers: Bowl Edition
The 2020 college football season was one of the most extraordinary years in recent memory. Almost nothing was normal. From top players opting out of the season, to multiple games every week being canceled due to COVID-19, nothing was usual about the season. The bowl season was no different, with multiple potential games canceled. As it has all season, college football persevered, and here are the players that made a name for themselves this bowl season.
1. Brevin Jordan, TE Miami
If you haven’t done so already, add Miami tight end Brevin Jordan’s name to the top of the 2021 tight ends list. Jordan capped off a good season with a star-making 96 yard two-touchdown performance in the Cheez-It Bowl. Jordan is a big athletic threat at tight end, and is truly dynamic with the ball in his hands. Now declared for the NFL Draft, Brevin Jordan looks to assert himself as a top-three tight end in the 2021 draft class.
2. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB Oklahoma
Rhamondre Stevenson is one of the most physically impressive backs in the 2021 draft. He is huge at 246 pounds, and he uses all of that size to punish tacklers. The underrated running back capped off his senior campaign with a phenomenal 186-yard performance against Florida in the Cotton Bowl. In a game with all the pregame headlines surrounding the quarterbacks, Stevenson made sure the postgame headlines were about him. He will plead his case to be drafted in this year's Senior Bowl.
3. Azeez Ojulari, EDGE Georgia
A first-rounder might have been firmly established in this year’s Peach Bowl. In a great battle between two top college teams, Azeez Ojulari stood head and toes above everyone else. Ojulari terrorized the Bearcats offense with: three sacks, three tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. It looked like Ojulari was playing on rookie difficulty. With his natural abilities as well as upside, look for Ojulari to hear his name called potentially on day one this year.
4. Christian Barmore, DT Alabama
This is the game that might’ve solidified Christian Barmore as a first-round pick. Barmore capped off a tremendous home stretch of the season with another phenomenal game in the National Championship against Ohio State, winning the defensive MVP of the game. Barmore was a monster in this game, doing a great job stopping the run as well as affecting the Buckeyes pass game. This was coming off an equally impressive game against Notre Dame the week before. If you aren’t aware of Barmore yet, do so before it’s too late.
5. Mac Jones, QB Alabama
If Mac Jones is selected in the first round of this year’s draft, remember his fantastic National Championship. Mac Jones has had quite the season. He was a Heisman finalist, won a national championship, and broke a national championship record for passing yards. He threw for 464 yards and 5 touchdowns against Ohio State, and didn’t even have Heisman winner Devonta Smith for most of the 2nd half. Jones had a truly special end to a special year, and it may result in him going high in the draft.
Honorable Mentions: Jaylen Waddle and Landon Dickerson, Alabama
These two players had absolutely no business being on the field for the National Championship. It was thought to be no chance for either to play on Monday, and both were out there for snaps. Waddle pushed through his injury, even though he clearly didn’t have to. Landon Dickerson, just weeks after tearing his ACL, was able to snap the final kneel down to win it for the Crimson Tide. For both of their bravery, commitment, and determination to play and help their team, there’s not a doubt that they have risen up draft boards. Every team wants a player that is willing to do whatever, to sacrifice everything to help his team win.
All Stats Provided By https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/ unless otherwise noted.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen