For many NFL decision makers, the college bowl season is a first plunge into the pre-draft process. General Managers, head coaches, and assistants have too much to worry about during their own seasons to stay focused on draft eligibles throughout the NFL year. These influential men typically take about a week's vacation after their seasons end, then dive head first into watching bowl games.

It's not a bad place to start. In every case, bowls are big games and NFL people can see how players perform on that stage. Bowls also are played following a grueling season. Players show what they have left after 11-13 game schedules. GMs and coaches will more thoroughly evaluate players by watching game film, doing background study, and seeing them compete against each other at pre-draft events later on, but first impressions are very important and can make the difference between a late first-rounder and a second-round pick.

Eight That Helped Themselves

1. North Carolina WR Hakeem Nicks
Statistics: 8-217-3
Meineke Car Care Bowl Final: West Virginia 31, Tar Heels 30

Nicks kicked off the Heels' scoring in the first quarter by lining up in the left slot, blowing through double coverage, catching Tyler Yates' throw at its highest point, and breaking a tackle at the WVU 10 to find pay dirt from 73 yards out. The junior early entrant continued his dominance from there, torching a Mountaineers secondary that ranked 16th in D-I in pass efficiency defense and included Senior Bowl invitee CB Ellis Lankster and enforcer SS Quinton Andrews. Nicks added a behind-the-back circus grab on a route over the middle that might've been the grab of the year. He generated six tough yards after the reception for a first down. Nicks' ball skills and after-catch ability are sensational, and while he may lack 4.3 speed, Nicks has the potential to be an immediate starter in the NFL. Look for him to go in the late first round this April.

2. Southern Cal QB Mark Sanchez
Statistics: 28-35-413-4-0, 7-16-1
Rose Bowl Final: Trojans 38, Penn State 24

PSU's defense was spectacular in 2008 (ninth in total D, 27th against the pass), but Sanchez was much too good on this day. USC was on a mission to prove that they're the nation's top team and Sanchez was hot from the start, leading the Trojans to five scores on their first six drives, including four touchdowns. The fourth-year junior showed precision accuracy on his first scoring toss, taking a three-step drop, looking off Penn State DB Tony Davis, and threading a 27-yard needle to redshirt sophomore Damian Williams. Sanchez's second TD, good to Ronald Johnson from 19 yards away, was on a rope with two Nittany Lions in tight coverage. Led by potential first-round pick Aaron Maybin, Penn State's pass rush is relentless, but Sanchez consistently bought time with his plus athleticism and even scored on a six-yard keeper. Sanchez has yet to declare early, but he's a first-day pick and possible pre-draft riser if he goes.

3. Iowa RB Shonn Greene
Statistics: 29-121-3, 0-0
Outback Bowl Final: Hawkeyes 31, South Carolina 10

Going for 121 yards and three scores against a strong Gamecocks run defense (36th in D-I going in) was no small task for Greene, and he made the effort even more noteworthy by declaring for the draft in post-game. The 2008 Big Ten MVP completed a complete season by recording 100+ rushing yards for a 13th straight game. A relentless between-the-tackles back, Greene converted all five of his short-yardage chances in the open field and got two of his TDs at the goal line. 14 of his carries went for five yards or more. Greene isn't a receiving threat out of the backfield, but he'll see playing time in the league right away if he lands with a power-running team this spring.

4. Ohio State WR Brian Robiskie
Statistics: 5-116-0
Fiesta Bowl Final: Texas 24, Buckeyes 21

Robiskie's numbers may not look overly fantastic, but he was. The fourth-year senior not only stood out as a receiver, extending his full body to haul in an overthrown pass from Todd Boeckman in the fourth quarter for a 48-yard gain and picking up first downs on all five of his catches, he was ferocious as a run blocker. His unselfish play sprung early entrant tailback Chris Wells for several long gains early. With Ohio State trying to come back from a late 17-9 deficit, Robiskie also drew a defensive pass interference flag that the Longhorns foolishly supplemented with unsportsmanlike conduct. OSU got in the end zone on the next play. Robiskie's 2008 totals (42-535-8) don't impress because the Buckeyes scaled back their passing offense with freshman Terrelle Pryor under center, but the senior split end is a pro's pro and will make an NFL team very happy next season.

5. Oregon RB Jeremiah Johnson
Statistics: 12-119-1, 1-6
Holiday Bowl Final: Ducks 41, Oklahoma State 31

Johnson got his 125 total yards and a score despite basically sharing carries with option QB Jeremiah Masoli. On his second-quarter 76-yard touchdown explosion, Johnson showed outstanding change of direction after appearing stopped up at the line of scrimmage and blew through four open-field tackles, carrying one Cowboy on his back into the end zone. The score broke Barry Sanders' Holiday Bowl record for longest run from scrimmage. Johnson (5-10/200) isn't a true every-down prospect and figures to remain a timeshare back in the pros, but his underrated homerun ability is sure to intrigue NFL teams that covet speed.

6. Rutgers WR Kenny Britt
Statistics: 6-119-1, 1-16
PapaJohns.com Bowl Final: Scarlet Knights 29, NC State 23

This local New York City hero put on a show in his final game as a collegiate. A 20-year-old true junior who overcame an early-season suspension to have the finest campaign by a Rutgers wideout in school history, Britt cut through the Wolfpack's zone defense for a juggling 42-yard game-winning touchdown less than a minute after NC State had grabbed a short-lived lead in the fourth quarter. Britt also exhibited his speed on a 16-yard second-quarter carry that set up a field goal try for the Scarlet Knights and made four of his other five receptions go for first downs. Britt is a player you'll hear a lot about during and after February's Combine, because he's going to light it up.

7. Florida QB Tim Tebow
Statistics: 18-30-231-2-2, 22-109
BCS Championship Final: Gators 24, Oklahoma 14

The guess here is that Tebow stays for his senior season, but BCS title game watchers got all the "Superman" they could handle Thursday night. After a slow start passing, Tebow racked up countless yards after contact with power running and made amazingly accurate throws to keep the chains moving in the last two quarters. In the final period, he threw both of his scores and was 11-of-11 for 148 yards with 45 yards rushing. Tebow could've done without giving a Sooner defender the "Gator Chomp" to draw a personal foul with the game wrapped up, but he will surely appeal to innovative NFL minds if he declares early. Be it as a tight end, dual-threat QB, or H-back/fullback, Tebow has a good chance at a long pro career.

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