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VT vs. UK: 5 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Belk Bowl

By Nicholas Perlich

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 07: Lynn Bowden Jr #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Commonwealth Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 07: Lynn Bowden Jr #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Commonwealth Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Virginia Tech Hokies and Kentucky Wildcats will face off in the Belk Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Who are the top 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch?

There are some very good bowl games on throughout New Year’s Eve. It all gets started at noon eastern with the now-famous Belk Bowl. The Belk Bowl matchup this year is definitely an interesting one as Virginia Tech and Kentucky are two very similar football teams in 2019 who won behind very strong defenses. Who are some 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch?

While Virginia Tech’s head coach Justin Fuente’s expertise is on the offensive side of the ball, it was the defense that only allowed 23 points per game that was the most responsible for the Hokies 8-4 record this season. That was good enough to finish second in the ACC Coastal Division and just miss out on the chance to play in the ACC Championship game.

Bob Stoops, on the other hand, has always emphasized defense at Kentucky. Especially this season after they had to move receiver Lynn Bowden to quarterback after numerous injuries at the position. Bowden led the Wildcats to the fourth-best rushing attack in the country while Stoops’ defenses held opponents to just 18 points per game this season. That combination was good enough to lead Kentucky to a 7-5 record, good for fourth in the SEC East standings.

The Belk Bowl figures to be a low-scoring affair and a battle between two very good defenses. That being said, here are the top NFL prospects to watch throughout the game:

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