’14 Houston Texans Draft Prospects: Dec. 31 Bowl Games

Liberty Bowl

Dec 29, 2012; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Rice Owls cornerback Phillip Gaines (15) celebrates making a tackle against Air Force Falcons wide receiver Ty MacArthur (27) in the Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Rice beat Air Force 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl will take place at 4 p.m. EDT Tuesday, where Rice (10-3, 7-1 Conference-USA) will face Mississippi Sate (6-6, 3-5 SEC) in Memphis, Tenn. on ESPN2.

For Rice there are seven players on the CBS Board, as one player to look at is redshirt senior cornerback Phillip Gaines. Gaines is projected to be selected in the seventh round as he’s the 34th rated CB on the list.

On his Rice bio page is says:

"“Targeted 40 times this season and allowed just 13 completions… Earned first-team, All C-USA honors from league coaches for second consecutive year.’"

Mississippi State has nine players on the CBS Board with offensive guard Gabe Jackson being their highest rated player.

Jackson is 6-3, 340 pounds and is projected to be selected in the third or fourth round.

The analysis on Jackson says:

"“Demonstrates not only the raw power expected of a man of his size but also surprisingly nimble feet and balance while in pass protection, to mirror quick rushers. Jackson plays with excellent knee bend and has long arms.”"