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2016 New Mexico Bowl: 5 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:51 p.m. ET

Fansided, Stephen Forsha/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

Dec 19, 2015; Albuquerque, NM, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Lamar Jordan (13) hands off to running back Teriyon Gipson (7) during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Which players in the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl could hear their names in the 2017 NFL Draft or can make an impact at the next level.

The New Mexico Lobos enter the New Mexico Bowl with an 8-4 record, while the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners are 6-6. To get to this point of the 2016 season, both teams have had the services of players helping them become bowl eligible. Along the way, some of them have caught the attention of NFL scouts and draft experts this season.

One of those players is a part of a running back trio from New Mexico in senior Teriyon Gipson. Though it is unclear whether he’ll be drafted or be a free agent following the draft, watch him run the football this weekend against UTSA and you’ll see that he has NFL potential.

There are others that will be looked at in this game as well, some who might not forgo their senior season and return to their respective programs, but still remember these names when beginning to start watching the bowl games Saturday.

You can catch the 2016 New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN. Here are five 2017 NFL Draft prospects to watch in the 2016 New Mexico Bowl.

Oct 24, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; New Mexico Lobos running back Teriyon Gipson (7) runs the ball against the San Jose State Spartans in the third quarter at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Lobos 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Teriyon Gipson, RB — New Mexico

The senior running back from New Mexico shares the backfield with two other players, resulting with him having 131 attempts for 1,209 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. The 5-8 running back has increased his rushing yardage each year at the collegiate level, with this being the first season he’s rushed for the 1,000-yard mark.

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How can he fare at the next level is the question. Currently, Gipson leads the FBS at 9.23 yards per carry, playing in 10 games this season. The next closest player averages 8.09 ypc.

Gipson had two older brothers who played from 2008-11 and Tashaun Gipson is on the roster of the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. So his family does have a past and present in the NFL, so there will be some teams in the league that will most likely look to either draft him very late in the 2017 NFL Draft or pick him up as a rookie free agent.

In January, Gipson was arrested, as Van Tate of KRQE.com reported on, with the team not finding out until September. That will come up as the draft continues to approach, but what about the skill set of Gipson?

Gipson is the type of running back who will use his speed rather than overpower a defense, and that could draw interest from the NFL because if there is one thing that can’t be taught, it is speed, and speed is coveted in the NFL.

Sep 26, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; The Roadrunner mascot lead the University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners football team onto the field before their game against the Colorado State Rams at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jevonte Domond, OT — UTSA

The offensive tackle once played for LSU, but off-the-field issues moved him away from the SEC and to the University of Texas-San Antonio, where he had a productive season in being named an honorable mention All-Conference USA.

CBS Sports has Jevonte Domond (6-5, 325 pounds) as their 54th-rated offensive tackle, so it isn’t going to be easy for the 325-pound offensive lineman from UTSA to get his name in front of more highly ranked players in front of him. That’s not saying it can’t and won’t happen, but he’s got a lot to prove to NFL scouts during this offseason.

Before this season began, Domond spoke about needing a fresh start as Tim Griffin of MySanAntonio.com reported on his off-the-field issues too (which included domestic abuse battery charges), also quoting Domond:

“I take full ownership of what I did. It’s behind me now, and I’m moving forward and happy with the opportunity I have.”

His team, UTSA, throws the ball more than they run, so he must have decent pass blocking skills, and that’s important for NFL teams, but again, with his previous off-the-field issues and playing in Conference USA, how much will that hold him back?

Oct 17, 2015; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; UTSA Roadrunners running back Jarveon Williams (2) runs from Southern Miss Golden Eagles defensive lineman Michael Smith (91) in the second half at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jarveon Williams, RB — UTSA

Jarveon Williams is listed as a 5-9, 200-pound running back from Texas-San Antonio who has 191 rushes this season for 775 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games. In his senior season, he’s averaging 4.1 yards per carry, but those numbers are down from his totals a season ago.

As a junior in 2015, Williams totaled 1,042 yards with eight touchdowns and 173 carries. He averaged six yards per carry.

Back to this season, Williams has three games of 100-plus yards rushing, though he also had one down game where he had -1 yard rushing on 10 carries against Arizona State. However, in that same game, he caught five passes for 81 yards. Also, on three occasions this season, Williams had at least two rushing touchdowns in a game.

What also seems to stand out about Williams is his humility. Tim Griffin of ExpressNews.com wrote this of the running back in late November:

“The UTSA senior running back doesn’t like to talk about himself, deflecting most of the credit and praise to others …After coming to UTSA as a recruiting afterthought, Williams has developed into a stalwart … His four-year career has helped him mature as a student, team leader, father and role model in the community.”

Williams could be a sleeper in the draft. DraftTek.com has Williams ranked 29th at running back, but at one time he was ranked as high as No. 21.

It is still uncertain if he can fit with an NFL roster, but he’s well worth keeping an eye on in this game and this offseason because he has proven before he’s capable of being a solid back at the collegiate level. Moreover, maybe some of his skill set and maturity could be useful on an NFL roster, too.

Sep 16, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Dalton Sturm (14) throws a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

4. Dalton Sturm, QB — UTSA

Just a junior, Dalton Sturm will be a name to remember for next season as it is doubtful to see him declare for the draft after this season. Still, watch him closely in this game and mark his name down for next season.

The 6-2, 195-pound quarterback is a big reason that Texas-San Antonio is going to their first bowl game, and he’s also had to share time at the position this season. Sturm has played in all 12 games this season, completing 58 percent of his passes (159-of-273) for 2,052 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Compared to his numbers a year ago, in 10 games, Sturm completed 59 percent of his passes has sophomore season (125-of-212) for 1,354 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The improvement has been there, including the past three games against Louisiana Tech, Texas A&M and Charlotte, where he hasn’t thrown an interception, but there is still work to do. Just remember the quarterback’s name for, not just this game, but down the road next season when all of us are looking at the next group of quarterbacks.

Sep 17, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; New Mexico running back Richard McQuarley (3) scores a touchdown against Rutgers Scarlet Knights during second half at High Points Solutions Stadium. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated the New Mexico 37-28. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

5. Richard McQuarley, RB — New Mexico

Another running back from New Mexico is another player who most likely won’t declare for the draft this year, but is a player that needs to be watched with a closer eye this Saturday. McQuarley is part of a trio of running backs that have put up big numbers, and the 5-11 junior has accounted for just 588 yards on 126 attempts (4.7 ypc), but he’s scored 16 rushing touchdowns

In his most recent game against Wyoming, McQuarley rushed for 121 yards on 15 carries, averaging 8.1 yards per carry and three touchdowns, as this was the lone game he rushed for over 100 yards. In that game, he also caught two passes for 58 yards, including one of his catches going for 30 yards.

He also rushed for three touchdowns against San Jose State earlier this season, totaling 83 yards on 16 carries.

Just watch McQuarley this weekend. He might be going to the NFL this season, but if he can keep adding to his game next season, McQuarley could become a well-known name in college football next year, and who knows, he may become another sleeper from the Mountain West Conference.