"The 2012 NFL draft is 118 days away.
Focused on their own teams throughout the regular season, NFL decision makers' first opportunity to zero in on draft prospects often occurs during college bowls. GMs and personnel directors will eventually fall back on NCAA regular season tape, but this is a time for first impressions. And those can go a long way.
This year, we've enlisted NFL Draft Scout's Josh Norris to cover the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl all-star practices and games. Norris spent the past two seasons working in the St. Louis Rams' scouting department and will attend both events in person. You can follow Norris on Twitter here: @JoshNorris. I'm also planning a pre-Senior Bowl interview, possibly of the podcast variety, with ESPN College Gameday's David Pollack. Stay with us from January through April for comprehensive NFL draft coverage.
As of Friday morning, here is a look at bowl performances from ten prospects for the 2012 NFL draft. I'll do another bowl roundup after the January 9 BCS Championship Game. At that point, we'll have a better idea as to which underclassmen will turn pro. The deadline for juniors and redshirt sophomores to declare is January 15.
1. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III
Bowl Game: Alamo Bowl
Result: Bears 67, Washington 56
Griffin's Stats: 24-33-295-1-0, 18-55-1
The 2011 Heisman winner opened the Alamo Bowl on fire, in the first quarter going 12-of-14 for 118 yards and a touchdown with 36 more yards and another score on the ground. The Huskies' pass rush gave RG3 fits the rest of the way. He took three second-quarter sacks, losing a fumble on one of them, and seemed unwilling to throw the ball away in pressure situations. Too often, Griffin played panicked and small in the pocket in the face of an oncoming rush. He did rebound to connect with sophomore wideout Levi Norwood and senior Kendall Wright for second-half deep shots, but Baylor's Terrance Ganaway-led backfield was the difference in this game. Asked afterwards when he'll announce his NFL plans, Griffin replied "Pretty soon here, probably." Griffin is going to possess the most dynamic quarterback skill set in the 2012 draft, and at least a handful of GMs are expected to grade him higher than Andrew Luck on their draft boards. I think if there is one big concern about Griffin's ability to translate his college success into the pros, it is his pocket presence.
2. Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
Bowl Game: Champs Sports Bowl
Result: Florida State 18, Irish 14
Floyd's Stats: 5-41-1
The top-rated senior receiver in the country this year, Floyd appeared headed for a monster finish to a decorated career when he returned the game's opening punt 41 yards. Ultimately, Floyd was held in check offensively by Seminoles sophomore CB Xavier Rhodes' physical press coverage, often with safety help over the top. Floyd showed impressive concentration to secure his five-yard touchdown catch after several bobbles, but disappointingly missed most of the second half with an abdominal injury. Floyd measured 6-foot-3, 229 in the spring of 2011 and shed 5-10 pounds for his senior season. He recorded a career-high 100 catches for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns. With a skill set similar to Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall's, Floyd projects as a first-round and possible top-15 pick. NFL evaluators will investigate his medical (eight games missed in four years due to various injuries) and off-field backgrounds (three alcohol-related incidents in college)."
