Before the first quarter ended in the 2016 NFL draft showcase—also known as the Fiesta Bowl—two of the game’s best prospects were already gone.
But after officials ejected Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa for targeting and Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith went down with a knee injury, another player with first-round potential took over in Arizona.
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott put up 149 rushing yards and an incredible four touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ 44-28 victory over Notre Dame on Friday. He averaged 5.5 yards per touch on the Fighting Irish and added a 30-yard reception in the second quarter.
“With all due respect to all the other running backs in Ohio State history, my first-round draft pick, I’d pick Zeke Elliott,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said, per John Marshall of the Associated Press (via FOX Sports). “He’s as good as any running back I’ve been around.”
Even though he wasn’t able to face a completely healthy Irish defense, Elliott’s NFL draft stock could only improve after the standout performance—one that featured a tribute to Bosa and his famous shrug after his speedy 47-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Bosa took notice of the celebration:
Once again, Elliott stood out on the big stage. As Bill Landis of Cleveland.com noted, Elliott scored 10 touchdowns in three postseason games, adding to his breakout performances in the College Football Playoff last season.
That ability to come up big with…
Continue Reading: Fiesta Bowl 2016: Ezekiel Elliott Further Boosts NFL Draft Stock
