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 19, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (1) celebrates after picking up a deflected Alabama A&M Bulldogs pass during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

While Tennessee failed to capitalize on a bid to the Sugar Bowl, Auburn emerges as the second-best team behind Alabama in a putrid 2016 SEC. No player on Auburn benefits more by playing in the Allstate Sugar Bowl than senior defensive tackle Montravius Adams.

Adams plays in the same Auburn front-seven with a pass rushing superstar in defensive end Carl Lawson. Both were stud recruits for the Auburn program coming out of Georgia in 2013 but Lawson has had his injuries and it’s hard for a defensive tackle to get noticed on a terrible defense.

Auburn had a terrible defense during the first three of Adams’ four years down on The Plains. Enter new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, and the Tigers’ front-seven went all sorts of gangbusters in 2016. Adams and Lawson were the two guys that stood out the most on fall Saturdays in Auburn.

The Tigers get to play in one of six meaningful bowl games. Just being invited to the Sugar Bowl to play Big 12 Champion Oklahoma is a huge deal for the 8-4 Auburn team. Oklahoma had two Heisman finalists in quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Dede Westbrook.

People are going to watch this game. The stage is set for either a Sooner or a Tiger to go off with an outstanding bowl game performance. Adams may only carry a fourth-round grade in CBS‘ eyes, but he could elevate his stock exponentially at the Sugar Bowl. He was a five-star caliber player coming out of high school, and the raw talent is still very much there.

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