College Football Bowls 2016: 10 NFL Draft prospects who can help their stock

By John Buhler | Dec 14, 2016

Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) runs with the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first quarter of the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 4, 2016; Oxford, OH, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush (21) looks to pass against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks in the first half at Fred Yager Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

While everybody in Stillwater still hates it, the flukey end to the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ game against the Central Michigan Chippewas was enough to get Central Michigan to 6-6 and be bowl-eligible. Central Michigan will play the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the Miami Beach Bowl on December 19.

If that gimme by the referees in Stillwater that Saturday afternoon helped anybody out in the long-term, it was Central Michigan senior quarterback Cooper Rush. CBS has Rush at a fourth-round grade, but he looks like a guy that can play some serious ball on Sundays.

Rush has completed over 60 percent of his passes in his final three seasons at Central Michigan. His level of competition hasn’t been great, but a solid bowl game performance could have his stock rise in a weak 2017 NFL quarterback class.

Rush is not going to be anything more than a day three draft pick, but a little extra tape in his final college game against Tulsa couldn’t hurt. He may be the seventh-best quarterback prospect in this draft, but could rise if a few juniors go back to school and he plays well against Tulsa.

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