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Defensive players:
ILB Scooby Wright III, Arizona (6-0, 246, 4.86, No. 4 ILB in class of 2017)
New Mexico Bowl | Dec. 19, 2 pm ET | ESPN
After winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2014, Wright missed virtually all of the 2015 season with an injured foot. However, the junior has stated his intention to play against New Mexico in the bowl game, a declaration some believe may be an indication that it will be his final game for the Wildcats. While slighter than preferred, Wright boasts terrific instincts -- consistently timing the snap count to squeeze through gaps to make plays behind the line of scrimmage -- as well as active hands and keen spatial awareness to knock the ball free.
DE Bronson Kaufusi, BYU (6-6, 265, 4.89, No. 6 DE in class of 2016)
Las Vegas Bowl | Dec. 19, 3:30 pm ET | ABC
Big, athletic and tenacious, Kaufusi offers traits sure to intrigue scouts from 4-3 and 3-4 teams alike. He's broad and strong enough to hold up at the point of attack and can close on quarterbacks due to surprisingly lateral quickness, a varied set of pass rush moves and a motor that simply doesn't have an idle. That may be especially true in the senior's final game, which happens to come against state rival Utah.
OLB Gionni Paul, Utah (5-10, 225, 4.76 #13 OLB in class of 2016)
Las Vegas Bowl | Dec. 19, 3:30 pm ET | ABC
Paul, a redshirt senior, broke out for the Utes in 2015, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors by leading the team in tackles (109), tackles for loss (12.5) and turnovers created (eight). The question with Paul isn't talent but size. The Miami transfer locates the ball quickly, showing instincts and the agility to slip by would-be blockers to constantly be part of the action, but he lacks the length to consistently disengage once offensive linemen latch on.
ILB Jared Norris, Utah (6-1, 240, 4.74 #5 ILB in class of 2016)
Las Vegas Bowl | Dec. 19, 3:30 pm ET | ABC
Norris is a throwback run-stuffing thumper in the middle. While tough, passionate and instinctive, he isn't a flashy athlete and projects best as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment at the next level. He locates the football quickly and does a very nice job of stepping up to blockers and either slipping free with an effective punch or sliding laterally to avoid them to make the play in the hole.
DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech (6-3, 309, 5.06 #4 DT in class of 2016)
New Orleans Bowl | Dec. 19, 9 pm ET | ESPN
Butler isn't nationally known but soon could be, as the long-armed defensive tackle with impressive athleticism has steadily moved up boards this year, generating early-round buzz from scouts. Already invited to the Senior Bowl, Butler shows the ability to beat opponents with a strong initial pop to disengage, as well as enough burst and balance to slip through gaps. Arkansas State will have its hands full against Butler and exciting young pass rusher Jaylon Ferguson.
OLB Kyler Fackrell, Utah State (6-5, 250, 4.74 #5 OLB in class of 2016)
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Dec. 22, 3:30 pm ET | ESPN
Seattle Seahawks All-Pro Bobby Wagner hailed from Utah State, and the Aggies may boast another future NFL standout in Fackrell, a classic strongside linebacker with the size, power and agility to play all three downs. Fackrell earned All-Mountain West conferences honors every year he was healthy, missing virtually all of the 2014 season after tearing an ACL in the season opener. He enters this matchup with Akron with 76 tackles, including 13.5 for loss. Fackrell has shown a knack for being around the ball, leading the nation with five fumble recoveries (to go along with two forced fumbles) this season.
ILB Tyler Matakevich, Temple (6-0, 232, 4.82 #3 ILB in class of 2016)
Boca Raton Bowl | Dec. 22, 7 pm ET | ESPN
Just the seventh player in FBS history to record 100-plus tackles four years in a row, Matakevich will draw comparisons to former Miami Dolphins star Zach Thomas for his instincts, physicality and reliable open-field tackling -- and, unfortunately, for his lack of ideal size and speed. Like Thomas (drafted 154th overall in 1996), Matakevich is a self-made player who could prove a late-round steal.
FS Darian Thompson, Boise State (6-2, 210, 4.56 #1 FS in class of 2016)
Poinsettia Bowl | Dec. 23, 4:30 pm ET | ESPN
Prototypically built, highly aggressive and a proven playmaker tied for the lead among all FBS players with 19 career interceptions, Thompson is NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated senior safety and could be the first player on this list selected in the 2016 draft. Thompson has the awareness, closing speed and ball-skills to project as a starting free safety in the NFL but will occasionally lower his shoulder to deliver the big hit and whiff. Thompson's open-field tackling will be tested against a Northern Illinois offense scoring an average of 33 points a game this season.
DE Kamalei Correa, Boise State (6-3, 245, 4.78 #9 OLB in class of 2017)
Poinsettia Bowl | Dec. 23, 4:30 pm ET | ESPN
Despite the fact that his production dropped from 2014 (59 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and 12 sacks) to 2015 (35-8.5-5 over the regular season), Correa is thought to be strongly considering making the jump to the NFL as a junior. While a bit undersized to remain as a full-time 4-3 defensive end, Correa could intrigue teams looking for an versatile edge defender, as he possesses an explosive burst to rush the quarterback as well as the flexibility and awareness to handle coverage duties. A terrific athlete expected to impress in workouts, Correa could join former Broncos edge rushers Shea McClellin and Demarcus Lawrence as steady risers leading to the draft.
SS Kevin Byard, Middle Tennessee State (5-11, 226, 4.62 #3 SS in class of 2016)
Bahamas Bowl | Dec. 24, noon ET | ESPN
For players from lower levels like Conference USA to earn early-round consideration, they'd better dominate and that's precisely what Byard has done the past four years for the Blue Raiders, starting 48 of 50 games and tying Thompson with 19 career interceptions. Byard isn't the biggest or fastest safety but he's a fluid athlete with excellent awareness to read the eyes of quarterbacks and set up his blocks on returns. Byard and MTSU's secondary will be tested by Western Michigan and their playmaking junior wideout Corey Davis
ILB Scooby Wright III, Arizona (6-0, 246, 4.86, No. 4 ILB in class of 2017)
New Mexico Bowl | Dec. 19, 2 pm ET | ESPN
After winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2014, Wright missed virtually all of the 2015 season with an injured foot. However, the junior has stated his intention to play against New Mexico in the bowl game, a declaration some believe may be an indication that it will be his final game for the Wildcats. While slighter than preferred, Wright boasts terrific instincts -- consistently timing the snap count to squeeze through gaps to make plays behind the line of scrimmage -- as well as active hands and keen spatial awareness to knock the ball free.
DE Bronson Kaufusi, BYU (6-6, 265, 4.89, No. 6 DE in class of 2016)
Las Vegas Bowl | Dec. 19, 3:30 pm ET | ABC
Big, athletic and tenacious, Kaufusi offers traits sure to intrigue scouts from 4-3 and 3-4 teams alike. He's broad and strong enough to hold up at the point of attack and can close on quarterbacks due to surprisingly lateral quickness, a varied set of pass rush moves and a motor that simply doesn't have an idle. That may be especially true in the senior's final game, which happens to come against state rival Utah.
OLB Gionni Paul, Utah (5-10, 225, 4.76 #13 OLB in class of 2016)
Las Vegas Bowl | Dec. 19, 3:30 pm ET | ABC
Paul, a redshirt senior, broke out for the Utes in 2015, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors by leading the team in tackles (109), tackles for loss (12.5) and turnovers created (eight). The question with Paul isn't talent but size. The Miami transfer locates the ball quickly, showing instincts and the agility to slip by would-be blockers to constantly be part of the action, but he lacks the length to consistently disengage once offensive linemen latch on.
ILB Jared Norris, Utah (6-1, 240, 4.74 #5 ILB in class of 2016)
Las Vegas Bowl | Dec. 19, 3:30 pm ET | ABC
Norris is a throwback run-stuffing thumper in the middle. While tough, passionate and instinctive, he isn't a flashy athlete and projects best as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment at the next level. He locates the football quickly and does a very nice job of stepping up to blockers and either slipping free with an effective punch or sliding laterally to avoid them to make the play in the hole.
DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech (6-3, 309, 5.06 #4 DT in class of 2016)
New Orleans Bowl | Dec. 19, 9 pm ET | ESPN
Butler isn't nationally known but soon could be, as the long-armed defensive tackle with impressive athleticism has steadily moved up boards this year, generating early-round buzz from scouts. Already invited to the Senior Bowl, Butler shows the ability to beat opponents with a strong initial pop to disengage, as well as enough burst and balance to slip through gaps. Arkansas State will have its hands full against Butler and exciting young pass rusher Jaylon Ferguson.
OLB Kyler Fackrell, Utah State (6-5, 250, 4.74 #5 OLB in class of 2016)
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Dec. 22, 3:30 pm ET | ESPN
Seattle Seahawks All-Pro Bobby Wagner hailed from Utah State, and the Aggies may boast another future NFL standout in Fackrell, a classic strongside linebacker with the size, power and agility to play all three downs. Fackrell earned All-Mountain West conferences honors every year he was healthy, missing virtually all of the 2014 season after tearing an ACL in the season opener. He enters this matchup with Akron with 76 tackles, including 13.5 for loss. Fackrell has shown a knack for being around the ball, leading the nation with five fumble recoveries (to go along with two forced fumbles) this season.
ILB Tyler Matakevich, Temple (6-0, 232, 4.82 #3 ILB in class of 2016)
Boca Raton Bowl | Dec. 22, 7 pm ET | ESPN
Just the seventh player in FBS history to record 100-plus tackles four years in a row, Matakevich will draw comparisons to former Miami Dolphins star Zach Thomas for his instincts, physicality and reliable open-field tackling -- and, unfortunately, for his lack of ideal size and speed. Like Thomas (drafted 154th overall in 1996), Matakevich is a self-made player who could prove a late-round steal.
FS Darian Thompson, Boise State (6-2, 210, 4.56 #1 FS in class of 2016)
Poinsettia Bowl | Dec. 23, 4:30 pm ET | ESPN
Prototypically built, highly aggressive and a proven playmaker tied for the lead among all FBS players with 19 career interceptions, Thompson is NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated senior safety and could be the first player on this list selected in the 2016 draft. Thompson has the awareness, closing speed and ball-skills to project as a starting free safety in the NFL but will occasionally lower his shoulder to deliver the big hit and whiff. Thompson's open-field tackling will be tested against a Northern Illinois offense scoring an average of 33 points a game this season.
DE Kamalei Correa, Boise State (6-3, 245, 4.78 #9 OLB in class of 2017)
Poinsettia Bowl | Dec. 23, 4:30 pm ET | ESPN
Despite the fact that his production dropped from 2014 (59 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and 12 sacks) to 2015 (35-8.5-5 over the regular season), Correa is thought to be strongly considering making the jump to the NFL as a junior. While a bit undersized to remain as a full-time 4-3 defensive end, Correa could intrigue teams looking for an versatile edge defender, as he possesses an explosive burst to rush the quarterback as well as the flexibility and awareness to handle coverage duties. A terrific athlete expected to impress in workouts, Correa could join former Broncos edge rushers Shea McClellin and Demarcus Lawrence as steady risers leading to the draft.
SS Kevin Byard, Middle Tennessee State (5-11, 226, 4.62 #3 SS in class of 2016)
Bahamas Bowl | Dec. 24, noon ET | ESPN
For players from lower levels like Conference USA to earn early-round consideration, they'd better dominate and that's precisely what Byard has done the past four years for the Blue Raiders, starting 48 of 50 games and tying Thompson with 19 career interceptions. Byard isn't the biggest or fastest safety but he's a fluid athlete with excellent awareness to read the eyes of quarterbacks and set up his blocks on returns. Byard and MTSU's secondary will be tested by Western Michigan and their playmaking junior wideout Corey Davis
