The Hula Bowl once again featured only one marquee player among a marginal group of prospects for the NFL Draft 2001.

Drew Brees solidified his status as a first-round prospect in Hawaii. (Allsport)

In recent years, the Hula Bowl featured runners Ron Dayne and Ricky Williams among its best pro prospects. Purdue quarterback Drew Brees was the only top 100 pro prospect to play in this game, which has annually become the weakest group of college all-stars for the postseason.

Brees helped his cause over the week, displaying a good arm and nice awareness of pass defenses. Several lesser-known prospects improved their standings in front of NFL scouts over the week of practices and the game. Small-college runners Mondrell Coley, Derrick Blaylock and R.J. Bowers took advantage of the opportunity and showed they can play with their Div. I counterparts. Their efforts will likely earn them a late draft grade for the April 21-22 NFL Draft.

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Hula prospects

1. Drew Brees, Purdue
QB, 6-1, 220
Talented passer solidified a first-round grade with a good performance. Brees throws an accurate pass that allows receivers to make yardage after the catch. He has well-developed QB skills that should allow him to play early in his NFL career.

2. Jason McKinley, Houston
QB, 6-1, 215
Smooth senior passer completed his second strong all-star game. He throws with touch and accuracy, leaving several scouts impressed by his passing skills.

3. Mondrell Coley, Hampton
RB, 5-8, 205
Compact, small-college runner displayed nice running skills with the ability to pick and slide through the hole to make yardage. He also displayed surprising power to run inside.

4. Marcel Shipp, Massachusetts
RB, 6-0, 215
Strong tailback displayed well-rounded skills over the week, including the power to run inside with sure hands as an outlet receiver.

5. Derrick Blaylock, Stephen F. Austin
RB, 5-11, 185
Quick tailback showed playmaking ability on the perimeter as a runner or receiver. He has quick feet and the ability to make the first tackler miss and the speed to run away from defenders.

6. R.J. Bowers, Grove City (Pa.)
FB, 6-0, 245
Tough college tailback continues to make the conversion to fullback for the pro game. He has the power to run inside, sure hands as an outlet receiver and has the package to develop into a solid pro blocker.

7. Matt Kalapinski, Maryland
FB, 6-1, 245
Underrated fullback displayed well-rounded skills over the game and practices to improve his stock. He catches the ball well and shows the ability to follow his blockers in the open field.

8. Steve Smith, Utah
WR, 5-8, 180
Quick wideout/return specialist completed his third all-star game with another big performance. He creates nice separation to get open plus the ability to make things happen after the catch.

9. Monty Meisel, Kansas State
DE, 6-3, 255
Relentless outside pass rusher continues to rise up the charts after a fine senior season. He has the ability to make plays as an outside rusher, which has him earmarked as a situational defender in the NFL.

10. Reggie Hayward, Iowa State
DE, 6-4, 255
Athletic pass rusher showed the quick first step off the edge to harass the passer. But he needs work in run support to become a complete defender.

11. Eugene Clinton, Mississippi State
CB, 6-1, 190
Big, agile defensive back improved his stock with a very good performance in pass coverage. He matches up well with big receivers and displayed good ball awareness skills in pass defense.

Oklahoma's J.T. Thatcher showed solid skills in the secondary and as an exciting return man. (Allsport)

12. J.T. Thatcher, Oklahoma
FS, 5-11, 215
Sturdy safety/return specialist had a fine week in both aspects of play. He has the combination of elusiveness, power and quickness to be a threat every time he touches the ball in the return game.

13. Michael Jameson, Texas A&M
FS, 5-11, 200
Athletic free safety saw time as a cornerback over the week and displayed the quick feet and break on the ball to match up in man coverage. His range and instincts make him a versatile defender at both corner and safety.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 10 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL minicamps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.