In what is the least talked about all-star game, the Texas versus The Nation Challenge will showcase draft prospects that have a chance to make a roster spot either late in the draft or through the undrafted free agency channels. In the inaugural game last year, former Miami Fl. WR Ryan Moore stole the show leading the Nation to a win with 2 touchdown catches. Last April, there were 12 players drafted from this challenge, including five 4th round selections. By the time training camps opened, 78 players from the 2007 challenge were sitting on an NFL roster.

With that said, you may be wondering who to look out for in this year’s Texas vs. The Nation Challenge and which players have a legitimate shot at being drafted. The following is a list of the “who’s who” in this year’s challenge.

The Nation

OG Kerry Brown, Appalachian State

Kerry Brown, a 6’6”, 310 lb. hog from Appalachian State is as good as advertised. After being snubbed by the Senior Bowl, Brown will be looking forward to dominating the trenches at the Sun Bowl. He is an excellent run blocker that would fit in well with just about any blocking system but the zone blocking scheme. The biggest knock on Brown is that he isn’t as quick as some of the other offensive linemen prospects in this draft. Most of the time, Brown will engulf opponents but he may not be quite strong enough for the next level yet. Look for him to have a solid performance in the challenge and get drafted as early as the third round but no later than the fifth round.

P Michael Dragosavich, North Dakota State

There may not be a punter in this draft that can compare to Dragosavich. If there ever were a position in which it didn’t matter about the level of competition a player has faced, it would be the punter. Dragosavich has an extremely strong leg and places the ball with good accuracy. The downside to Dragosavich is that he needs to speed up his motion. He did have a decent week in Mobile after accepting an invitation to the Senior Bowl. At 6’5”, 215 lbs., Dragosavich has an ideal frame and should be considered to be a late 6th or 7th round prospect.

S Nehemiah Warrick, Michigan State

Warrick is a solid sleeper that needs to bulk up somewhat. At 6’1”, 208 lbs., Warrick possesses decent Cover-2 abilities and may actually turn over as a nickel back on the next level as he plays well close to the line of scrimmage. He ranked 5th on the Spartans in tackles this past year. Despite having a smaller frame, he is a decent tackler but will not do well in isolation as he may not have the ideal speed teams will look for. Finally, Warrick projects to be a 6th round prospect that could contribute as a special teams warrior until he fine tunes his abilities, if he ever does that.

LB Nick Watkins, Clemson

Character issues have overwhelmed Watkins and they even caused him to miss the Tigers’ appearance in the 2007 Chik-Fil-A Bowl. He is a bit undersized and may convert to a safety on the next level. His abilities resemble those of Kentucky’s Wesley Woodyard. Watkins led Clemson in tackles as a senior but whether or not he can remain focused on playing football is the key. At one point in his young career, Watkins was projected to be a first day pick but due to his off-the-field issues, you can count on him getting drafted in either the fifth or sixth round.

WR Darrell Blackman, North Carolina State

Blackman is an intriguing prospect as he was one of the highest recruited RBs coming out of high school but had to improve on his schoolwork for a year at Hargrave in Virginia. Due to his playmaking ability and the RB depth in Raleigh, Blackman was converted to a WR. He was one of the most heralded returnmen coming into 2007 but his season didn’t live up to the hype. Blackman was still caught on several ESPN highlight reels though. Look for him to get a long look from scouts here and at the NFL Combine. With a heavier emphasis being placed on quality punt and kick returners, Blackman is worth a late-round flier and could even be converted back to a RB on the next level.

Texas

QB Matt Flynn, LSU

Matt Flynn has the ideal size and tools to becomea solid back-up on the next level. He will not “wow” anyone with his arm strength, accuracy, or mobility, but at the end of the day, in the right system, he could succeed when being called off of the sidelines. He threw 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while leading the Tigers to a BCS National Championship. Flynn has solid leadership abilities and will be selected in the 6th or 7th round of this year’s draft.

DT Jason Shirley, Fresno State

This prospect has probably more durability and mentality concerns than any other prospect in this challenge. After playing in just three games for the Bulldogs in 2007, he was still invited to the Hula Bowl. In Honolulu, Shirley put on a decent showing, executing from the snap and finding room to penetrate the offensive line. He has a gigantic frame and may not be quick enough to be an every down starter on the next level. Shirley is a 7th round prospect that could keep a roster spot through the final cuts in September if he can get in better shape.

S Joseph Fields, Syracuse

Fields, like Nehemiah Warrick, is a quiet sleeper in this year’s draft. He started every game at free safety for the Orange. Against Iowa, Fields had a career game with 10 tackles and 1 interception. He finished 2007 with four interceptions. Fields also led the Orange with 97 tackles. Like Warrick, Fields would be better suited for a Cover-2 and also may convert to a CB on the next level. He does have good timed speed though but his coverage skills are mediocre at best. Look for him to get drafted somewhere between the 5th and 7th rounds of the draft. Keep an eye on him during the challenge as he usually makes plays whenever he gets his hand on the pigskin.

RB Alley Broussard, Missouri Southern

Broussard, a former LSU Tiger, looks to be fully recovered after a devastating injury sent him out of the bayou and up north to Missouri Southern. With such a deep class at RB, Broussard is an extremely long-gone after thought. While with Missouri Southern, he rushed for nearly 900 yards and reached paydirt 12 times. His knee has appeared to be fine but more than likely, this 6’0”, 232 lb. RB will go undrafted but will be scooped up to fill a roster spot when free agency reopens after the draft. Broussard is an intriguing prospect that could make some lucky franchise feel like winners after the draft if he can compete up to the level he was expected to before tearing his ACL with LSU.

RB Xavier Omon, Northwest Missouri State

Xavier Omon stands at 5’11” and 220 lbs. Not many RBs have ever had a season like Omon had as in 2007 Omon rushed for more than 2,300 yards and scored 38 touchdowns for Northwest Missouri State. As a matter of fact, he scored 98 total touchdowns during his tenure with NW Missouri State. Regardless, the largest knock on Omon is whether or not he can compete on the professional level. He obviously played at a lower level but at the end of the day, that doesn’t matter because all-pro RBs like Willie Parker barely played at all in college. Regardless, expect to see Omon go the Reagan Mauia-route and be a late round flier for a franchise searching in the rough for a diamond.