The bowl season continues Tuesday with four games, including what could be the final college performance of Cal star quarterback Jared Goff, a junior who is considering applying for early NFL draft eligibility. College Football 24/7 examines the top prospects in action on Tuesday.
Armed Forces Bowl
Cal vs. Air Force (*2 p.m. ET, ESPN) *
Jared Goff, QB, Cal: One of college football's most talented underclassmen could be playing his final college game here as Goff needs just three touchdown passes to reach 40 on the season. He has a quick release, a knack for avoiding trouble in the pocket and keen awareness of coverages. A longtime Oakland Raiders scout recently said he thinks the 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior is a top-five pick.
Kenny Lawler, WR, Cal:Although Goff spreads the ball to all kinds of different weapons in the Cal offense, Lawler is the target he looks to most. His 47 catches, 10 for touchdowns, led the team in both categories. Like Goff, Lawler (6-3, 195) is a junior.
Hardy Nickerson, LB, Cal: The son of the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star by the same name led the Golden Bears in tackles with 101.
Russell Athletic Bowl
*North Carolina vs. Baylor (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) *
Andrew Billings, DL, Baylor:One of the top interior defensive lineman in the Big 12, Billings had an outstanding season for the Bears with team highs in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (5.5). The junior overwhelms offensive guards and centers with remarkable physical strength, and can move well laterally once he's shed his block.
Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor:Although Oakman's physical measurements (6-9, 275 pounds) have NFL scouts excited, Oakman's technique and motor are among the question marks for the Bears' senior pass rusher. He had just 4.5 sacks on the year, but was plenty active in the backfield with 14.5 tackles for loss.
Spencer Drango, OL, Baylor:Drango is Baylor's best draft prospect on the offensive line, though the senior is likely looking at a position switch from tackle to guard at the NFL level.
Landon Turner, OL, North Carolina:Turner is an All-ACC-caliber guard, and should have some telling head-to-head battles with Billings.
Arizona Bowl
*Nevada vs. Colorado State (7:30 p.m. ET, American Sports Network) *
Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State:By his own lofty standard, "Hollywood" Higgins' production was down this season (66 catches, 933 yards) with a new quarterback and a new head coach on hand in Fort Collins. The junior hasn't yet announced whether he will apply for early draft eligibility.
Texas Bowl
*LSU vs. Texas Tech (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) *
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU: It will be 2017 or 2018 before the Tigers' star rusher can be part of the NFL draft, but he's nevertheless considered an elite talent by NFL scouts. The sophomore has rumbled for 1,741 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, and the way Texas Tech plays run defense, he should approach 2,000 yards by game's end.
Jerald Hawkins, OL, LSU:An SEC assistant coach told College Football 24/7 that Hawkins, a junior tackle, had the best season of anyone on the Tigers' offensive line.
Vadal Alexander, OL, LSU:The LSU veteran who played every position but center in his career will probably end up as a guard in the NFL. The senior has massive size and has started since his freshman year.
Travin Dural, WR, LSU:For the second year in a row, Dural was LSU's best deep threat in the passing game. They struggled to get him the ball frequently (28 catches) but he can stretch the field much like New York Jets second-round pick Devin Smith did for Ohio State last year.
Tre'Davious White, DB, LSU:The junior is an athletic cover man who broke up six passes in 10 starts for the Tigers this season, but is still looking for his first interception of the year.
Jalen Mills, DB, LSU: Mills is the Swiss army knife of the Tigers' secondary, with experience at cornerback, safety and nickelback. He considered entering the 2015 draft as an underclassman, but returned and missed the first half of the season with an injury.
Deion Jones, LB, LSU: Jones led the Tigers in tackles (92) and tackles for loss (11.5) while teaming with another draft prospect, Kendall Beckwith, to form one of the SEC's top linebacking duos.
Le'Raven Clark, OL, Texas Tech:The Red Raiders' left tackle is a highly skilled pass protector who was selected first-team All-Big 12 as a junior this season. He'll get a good test from the LSU defense.
DeAndre Washington, RB, Texas Tech:Washington had 1,455 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns this season to earn second-team All-Big 12 honors. Like Clark, Washington is a junior.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
