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’14 Houston Texans Draft Prospects: New Year’s Day Bowl Games

By Stephen Forsha

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Rose Bowl

Dec 7, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darqueze Dennard (31) reacts after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Big 10 Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State defeats Ohio State 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darqueze Dennard (31) reacts after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Big 10 Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State defeats Ohio State 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The 100th annual Rose Bowl could be the best game of the day with No. 5 Stanford (11-2, 7-2 Pac-12) facing No. 4 Michigan State (12-1, 8-0 Big Ten) at 5 p.m. EDT on ESPN.

Michigan State has the No. 1 rated cornerback in the draft in 5-11, 197 pound Darqueze Dennard.

The No. 7 overall rated player is projected to be selected in the first round, and though the Texans wouldn’t select him unless they traded down in the draft, he’s worth taking a closer look at.

Dennard has been timed with a 4.52 40-yard dash and was a CBS Sports first-team All-American selection.

It says of Dennard on his draft page:

"“Has a lanky, athletic frame with good fluidity and speed, Dennard consistently shut down one side of the field … played a critical role for MSU’s No. 1 ranked defense … Allowed only three completions in 31 pass attempts of 15-plus yards thrown against him this season.”"

Stanford has 12 players on the CBS list, but let’s look at inside linebacker Shayne Skov, projected to be selected in the second round.

Skov is 6-2 and weighs in at 245 pounds with a 4.95 40-yard dash.

In his draft analysis it says:

"“Demonstrated more explosiveness in 2013, in his second season removed from a torn ACL. Explodes through holes in the offensive line to make emphatic tackles in the backfield. One of Skov’s greatest attributes has always been aggression.”"

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