Bahamas Bowl Preview
Game: Bahamas Bowl
Location: Thomas Robinson Stadium – Nassau, Bahamas
Date: Dec. 17, 2021 @ 12 pm ET
Today we’re going to preview the Bahamas Bowl that sees Middle Tennessee State University (6-6) face off against the University of Toledo (7-5). We’ll take a look at a few prospects from each team that could potentially hear their names called come draft day.
Toledo
- Tycen Anderson – S
- Bryant Koback – RB
- Vitality Gurman – OG
Anderson is a fifth year senior, standing 6’2″ and weighing 210 lbs. He has collected 231 career tackles (131 solo) and two interception over that time. He did deal with a knee injury early in the season that caused him to miss a handful of games. With the ability to play both free and strong safety, as well as slot corner, Tycen has versatilty that NFL teams look for in depth players. He’ll look to use this game as well as the Reese’s Senior Bowl to show that early season injury isn’t a concern.
While still considered a junior, Koback just completed his fourth season at Toledo. Only the covid-shortened 2020 season saw him average fewer than 6.0 yards per carried. He’s also twice top 1,000 yards rushing, including this season with 1,274 yards on 190 carries (6.7 yards per carry). A productive back with the ability to catch out of the backfield, I find it hard to not see Koback in camp with a NFL team. The question is can he sneak into the draft, or will he sign as an undrafted free agent.
Vitality Gurman is a prospect that I’d honestly like to watch more tape on. Coming in at 6’4″ and 310 lbs, he’s a big man. While probably better suited to be a guard, he does have experience player the tackle position as well. Gurman will be a player I’m watching closely come Friday.
Middle Tennessee St.
- Jimmy Marshall – WR
- DQ Thomas – LB
- Reed Blankenship – S
Marshall is a 6’5″ fifth year senior wide receiver out of Macon, Georiga. He has 101 career receptions for 1,2,72 yards and 14 touchdowns over five seasons. This season Jimmy led the team with 510 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 45 catches. Currently he’s rated as an undrafted free agent, where his size is sure to attract an NFL team for a camp invite.
Thomas is a 6’2″ senior lineback from Oxford, Mississippi. Over four seasons he’s amassed 291 tackles (170 solo) and 18.5 sacks. This year he finished third on the team with 80 tackles (51 solo) and five sacks. DQ also added two pass breakups, two interception (one returned for a touchdown), a forced fumble and fumble recovery. He’s a linebacker that moves well, but might fit more of a “tweener” than a true backer.
Coming in at 6’1″ and 204 lbs., this fifth year senior is from Athens, Alabama. He has collected 415 tackles (261 solo), three sacks, and nine interceptions over five seasons. This season he led the team with 106 tackles (71 solo), eight pass breakups, a sack and an interception. He does have a bit of an injury issue, so we’ll have to see if this scares off any teams. Even so, I see Blankenship as a draftable prospect. Most likely as a Day 3 guy. I’ll be eager to see him getting some reps at the East-West Shrine Game, which he recently accepted an invitation to.
Are there any other players you’ll have your eyes on during the Bahamas Bowl? Let us know down in the comment section below!