Four underclassmen look to prove worth in NFL

Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State: Ajayi was a virtual lock to enter his name in the NFL draft after having one of the best seasons for a running back in Boise State history. Ajayi rolled in several accolades including Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Finalist (2014), Doak Walker Award Semifinalist (2014), FOX Sports All-America Second Team (2014), Sporting News All-America Second Team (2014), USA TODAY Sports All-America Second Team (2014), Associated Press All-America Third Team (2014), Athlon Sports All-America Third Team (2014), Phil Steele All-America Third Team (2014), Sports Illustrated All-America honorable mention (2014), All-Mountain West First Team (2013, 2014), and 2x Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2012-13). Ajayi finished his Boise State career ranked in top 10 of nine categories: rushing touchdowns (50, T-second), 200-yard rushing games (2, second), touchdowns (55, third), 100-yard rushing games (17, T-third), rushing yards (3,796, fourth), yards per carry (5.60, fourth), rushing attempts (678, fifth), scoring (330 points, fifth) and all-purpose yards (4,583, eighth). Ajayi was named to the first-team All-Mountain West with 1,425 yards and 18 touchdowns on 249 carries during the regular season. Ajayi rushed for 3,796 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career, including a 1,823 yard, 28 TD season in 2014. Ajayi also caught 50 passes in 2014 and 73 total in his three years with Boise State. Ajayi is currently the 6th ranked running back in the draft but could easily find a spot in the late first or early second round of the NFL draft. A second round grade is most common.

Christian Covington, DT, Rice: Covington is another interesting prospect for the NFL as he showed production in his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons but sturggled through injuries to a disappointing 2014 season. Covington was a 2014 preseason All C-USA (Phil Steele, Athlon), All-America (Phil Steele, third team), Outland Trophy Watch List, Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, and Bronko Nagurski Watch List member. He was a First-team All C-USA pick by league coaches as well as Dave Campbell's Texas Football's All-Texas College second team, leading the team with 11.5 tackles for loss among his 59 stops, including four sacks. As a redshirt freshman, he was credited with 20 hurries and finished with 43 tackles (25 solo), eight tackles for loss, five sacks, forcing one fumble and breaking up a pass. Despite his leg injury in 2014, Covington is expected to be drafted in the middle rounds as the 11th ranked defensive tackle in the draft.

Dee Hart, RB, Colorado State: Hart is one of the players looking to strike while the iron is hot and try to turn one season of production into an NFL career. Hart started his career at Alabama where he was one of the top recruits in the nation but struggled to find his role on the team. In 2012 and 2013 combined, the running back ran for 166 yards on 43 carries and one touchdown. He then transferred to Colorado State where he earned second team All-MWC honors with a 1,275 yard, 16 touchdown season. Hart also caught 18 passes on the season, showing his ability to earn a role as a third down back. With Hart, there is significant tread on the tires as he never carried the ball more than 24 times in a game and carried the ball 15 or fewer times in 8 games with a 6.6 yards per carry average. Hart may well end up playing in the NFL but he will most likely have to earn his role as a rookie free agent.

Jean Sifrin, TE, Massachusetts: Sifrin is an interesting specimen for the 20015 NFL draft after playing only one single year at the FBS level at UMass. The junior previously played at El Camino Junior College but was a huge recruit out of high school with offers from Kansas, Oklahoma and USC among others. Sifrin was the All-MAC First Team Tight End and listed to the John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List. He recorded 642 yards receiving on 42 receptions, including six TD grabs while averaging 15.3 yards per catch, ranking him second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Sifrin is listed at 6-7, 250 pounds and has the ability to play a similar role to the ultra athletic and skilled tight ends that are in vogue in the NFL. There are concerns about his production as he only played the single year for UMass after only making 13 catches the previous season for El Camino. Someone will take a chance on him but he will make or break his chance at a draft selection with his performance at the NFL Combine.