Bonus bowl coverage … The bowl cavalcade continues later this evening when Memphis (8-4) plays Western Kentucky (10-3) in the Boca Raton Bowl with KO set for 7 PM ET on ESPN. While no one is likely ever to confuse it with a football factory, Western Kentucky, the two-time CUSA champions, is something of an emerging mid-major power. And pro scouts are starting to take notice. Indeed, three former Hilltoppers were selected at the 2016 draft and the program has at least a couple of prospects with mid-round potential for the upcoming draft including big-play WR Taywan Taylor (#2, 6-0, 195) and G/T Forrest Lamp (#76, 6-3, 300). Taylor finished 5th in the country in receiving yardage per game this fall as he caught 89 balls for just under 1,600 yards and 16 scores. For his part, Lamp was a rock solid LT with great feet and technique, but at just 6-3 likely lacks the length to play outside at the next level. Meanwhile, WKU also has several other productive players with free-agent potential including RB Tony Wales (#20, 5-9, 195), WR Nicholas Norris (#15, 5-9, 175) and OLB keith Brown (#2, 6-0, 240). On the other hand, Memphis isn’t likely to have anyone drafted this year, although PK Jake Elliott (#46, 5-10, 165) and TE Daniel Montiel (#80, 6-3, 240) could be free-agent candidates. The Tigers also have a couple of talented juniors with future potential in WR Anthony Miller (#3, 5-11, 190) and LB Genard Avery (#6, 6-1, 255).
