Predicting 10 Players Who Will Shine During 2014-15 Bowl Season

By Shawn Spencer

10 Players Who Will Shine In Bowl Games

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin — College football fans are familiar with players such as Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. High-profile players like those two are expected to shine week in and week out. The real question is who will stand out when the spotlight is on? These may not be the 10 best players you'll see, but they have excellent matchups and should seize the moment this bowl season.

10. Jaelen Strong (WR-Arizona State)

Jaelen Strong Arizona State

10. Jaelen Strong (WR-Arizona State)

Jaelen Strong Arizona State — Jaelen Strong will look to exploit Duke's 4-2-5 defense in the Sun Bowl. Whether it's Taylor Kelly or Mike Bercovici starting at QB, Strong has been exceptional. He caught 75 passes and gained over 1,000 yards for the second straight season. Duke has played well against the pass this year (ranked No. 36 in the nation), but hasn't faced anyone as physical as Strong. Sophomore corners Bryon Fields and Breon Borders are in for a long day.

9. Kenneth Dixon (RB-Louisiana Tech)

Kenneth Dixon Louisiana Tech

9. Kenneth Dixon (RB-Louisiana Tech)

Kenneth Dixon Louisiana Tech — Junior RB Kenneth Dixon has had a great career at Louisiana Tech. In three seasons, Dixon has run for 3,347 yards and scored 59 total touchdowns. He's rushed for three touchdowns in three of his last four games, including the Conference USA title game against Marshall. Now, he's fortunate to face Illinois, the sixth worst run defense in college football, in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. A strong performance may push Dixon into the NFL Draft.

8. Jalen Collins (CB-LSU)

Jalen Collins LSU

8. Jalen Collins (CB-LSU)

Jalen Collins LSU — Jalen Collins is back in the LSU starting lineup after being replaced by Rashard Robinson earlier this year. Despite only starting half of the team's games, Collins leads LSU with nine pass breakups and 10 passes defensed. He should have plenty of opportunities to make a play against Notre Dame's turnover-prone offense. It doesn't matter if Everett Golson or Malik Zaire start for the Irish in the Music City Bowl, Collins should come up big.

7. Cody Fajardo (QB-Nevada)

Cody Fajardo Nevada

7. Cody Fajardo (QB-Nevada)

Cody Fajardo Nevada — In the season's first bowl, Cody Fajardo and Nevada will take on Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl. Fajardo has an excellent matchup as the Ragin' Cajuns are ranked 120th in pass defense. If Lafayette backs off, Fajardo has the skills to take off and run. Playing in Nevada's pistol offense, he's following in the footsteps of former Wolf Pack QB Colin Kaepernick. This game will give Fajardo a chance to make a name for himself.

6. Javorius Allen (RB-USC)

Javorius Allen USC

6. Javorius Allen (RB-USC)

Javorius Allen USC — There are many reasons why Javorius "Buck" Allen should have a monster Holiday Bowl against Nebraska. The most obvious is he's facing the same defense that allowed Melvin Gordon to rush for 408 yards in three quarters. Unlike Gordon, Allen is a threat as a receiver and has gained over 100 total yards in all 12 games this season. Finally, how much does Nebraska even care at this point? Bo Pelini is gone and most of the staff will be out as well.

5. Grant Hedrick (QB-Boise State)

Grant Hedrick Boise State

5. Grant Hedrick (QB-Boise State)

Grant Hedrick Boise State — Grant Hedrick leads Boise State back to where it all began. The Fiesta Bowl is where the famous Statue of Liberty play put the Broncos on the map. Boise State finished the year 11-2 thanks in large part to the arm and legs of QB Grant Hedrick. Hedrick amassed 3,990 total yards and scored 32 total touchdowns. His opponent, Arizona, has given up 86 points over the last two games and is ranked 121st in pass defense and 74th versus the run.

4. Melvin Gordon (RB-Wisconsin)

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin

4. Melvin Gordon (RB-Wisconsin)

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin — After running into a buzzsaw versus Ohio State in the Big Ten final, Melvin Gordon will look to rebound against Auburn. Before the title game, he ran for at least 122 yards in his previous 10 games. With Gordon declaring for the NFL Draft, he won't allow his college career to end with two poor games. Whereas Ohio State was motivated to make the playoffs, how excited will Auburn be for the Outback Bowl after making the title game last year?

3. Nate Orchard (DE-Utah)

Nate Orchard Utah

3. Nate Orchard (DE-Utah)

Nate Orchard Utah — Watch out Garrett Grayson! Colorado State's QB, who is No. 6 in the nation in passing yards, may find himself being introduced to the Las Vegas Bowl turf several times by DE Nate Orchard. The Utah defense leads the nation in sacks and Orchard is second individually with 17.5 for the season. He usually lines up at LDE, which means he'll avoid Colorado State star LT Ty Sambrailo. On Dec. 20, the big winner in Vegas will be Nate Orchard.

2. Tyreek Hill (OW-Oklahoma State)

Tyreek Hill Oklahoma State

2. Tyreek Hill (OW-Oklahoma State)

Tyreek Hill Oklahoma State — Tyreek Hill doesn't need an official position. The offensive weapon averages almost 10 yards per touch and has contributed significantly as a RB, WR and returner. His punt return touchdown against Oklahoma with less than a minute left tied the game. The Cowboys would go on to win in overtime. In the Cactus Bowl, the Cowboys will take on Washington. The Huskies' pass defense ranks 124th in the FBS and will have a tough time keeping up with Hill.

1. Duke Johnson (RB- Miami)

Duke Johnson Miami

1. Duke Johnson (RB- Miami)

Duke Johnson Miami — Duke Johnson is one of the most underrated backs in the nation, but he will have his chance to shine against South Carolina in the Independence Bowl. The Gamecocks' defense has allowed six different players to gain at least 125 yards rushing this season; including 191 to Clemson's Wayne Gallman in the regular season finale. Johnson is averaging seven yards per carry this season and should torch Steve Spurrier's defense.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related: NFL Draft Guide To Every Bowl Game

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