Pick Six: Shenault Jr., Bowman among best on bowl-less teams

Posted August 19, 2019 7:00 am

By RALPH D. RUSSO

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Texas Tech's Alan Bowman throws a pass against Lamar during an NCAA college football game in Lubbock, Texas. Bowman was tearing it up as a freshman for the Red Raiders until a partially collapsed lung ultimately limited him to eight games. He passed for 2,638 and 17 touchdowns in those games and after he was gone so were the Red Raiders bowl chances. (Brad Tollefson/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP, File) The Associated Press

Not every college football team makes it to a bowl, though 39 postseason games in the Bowl Subdivision can make it seem that way.

That leaves more than 50 teams whose seasons will end before December. Among those unfortunate squads there are still some terrific players who will go largely unnoticed as their teams toil. Or, more optimistically, maybe they will lead a big turnaround for their rebuilding programs.

Time to recognize some of the best players playing on teams that weren't bowl-eligible last year and probably won't be this season:

MEKHI BECTON, OT, LOUISVILLE

The final season of Bobby Petrino's tenure as Louisville coach was painful to watch. The Cardinals went 2-10 and were usually not competitive. New coach Scott Satterfield is almost starting from scratch. The roster needs a massive overhaul, but he has a left tackle in Becton who could play for a playoff contender. The 6-foot-7, 355-pound junior needs some refinement, but his athleticism could make him a top-20 NFL draft pick.

ALAN BOWMAN, QB, TEXAS TECH

Bowman was tearing it up as a freshman for the Red Raiders until a partially collapsed lung limited him to eight games. He passed for 2,638 and 17 touchdowns in those games, and after he was gone so were the Red Raiders' bowl chances. That led to coach Kliff Kingsbury getting fired, though things worked out OK for him. Bowman's presence on this list might be a bit of a stretch. It wouldn't be all that surprising if the Red Raiders get back to bowl eligibility in Matt Wells' first season as coach.

REGGIE CORBIN, RB, ILLINOIS

Heading into the Year 4 of Lovie Smith's tenure, the Illini are still looking to reach bowl eligibility for the first time under the former Super Bowl coach. Corbin, a senior with blazing speed, broke out last season with 1,085 yards rushing on 8.5 yards per carry. He is only 200 pounds, but Illinois will probably need to get him more than 144 touches if it wants to go from four wins to six and a postseason game.

DE'JON HARRIS, LB, ARKANSAS

The Razorbacks did not win an SEC game in coach Chad Morris' first season, but Harris was one of the best - and busiest - linebackers in the conference. Harris led the SEC in tackles with 118. Arkansas is leaning on inexperienced players and underclassmen on defense again, which doesn't bode well for a major bounce back in Year 2 under Morris. Harris should be busy again.

JERMAR JEFFERSON, RB, OREGON STATE

The Beavers were in a complete rebuild last year under first-year coach Jonathan Smith. Without much to work with, Smith made the freshman the focal point of the offense after luring him out of California. Jefferson delivered seven 100-yard games, including 254 and two touchdowns against Arizona State. The Beavers finished 2-10 and are probably still another year away from even thinking about a postseason push, but Jefferson could end up carrying an even bigger load as a sophomore.

LAVISKA SHENAULT JR., WR, COLORADO

For the first month and a half of last season, Shenault was one of the best players in the country. He scored 11 touchdowns in six games and the Buffaloes started 5-1. A foot injury forced him out of three games and he wasn't the same when he returned. Colorado finished the season with seven straight losses to get coach Mike McIntyre fired. Shenault is a potential All-American and if he stays healthy the Buffs are a team worth watching even as new coach Mel Tucker rebuilds.

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Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at https://podcastone.com/AP-Top-25-College-Football-Podcast

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FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, Illinois running back Reggie Corbin (2) breaks a tackle to score Illinois' first touchdown of the game against Minnesota in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. Heading into the Year 4 of Lovie Smithâs tenure, the Illini are still looking to reach bowl eligibility under the former Super Bowl coach. Corbin, a senior with blazing speed, broke out last season with 1,085 yards rushing on 8.5 yards per carry. (AP Photo/Holly Hart, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Arkansas defensive back De'Jon Harris celebrates after a tackle against LSU during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. The Razorbacks did not win an SEC game in coach Chad Morrisâ first season, but Harris was one of the best _ and busiest _ linebackers in the conference. Harris led the SEC in tackles with 118. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (22) carries the ball against Washington State during an NCAA college football game in Corvallis, Ore. The Pac-12 freshman of the year, lured out of southern California, delivered seven 100-yard games, including 254 and two touchdowns against Arizona State. The Beavers finished 2-10 and are probably still another year away from even thinking about a postseason push. (AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez, File) The Associated Press

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