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5 college players to watch today who could be of interest to the Eagles next May

    by Jimmy Kempski
    Published 

Today is the first week of the college football season, and if you're a fan of the NFL draft, it's the first look at some of the "groceries" the Eagles may be shopping for next offseason. Here are 5 players to keep an eye on today:

• Kyle Van Noy, OLB, 6'3, 235, BYU: 3:30pm, BYU at Virginia

Van Noy is a very disruptive player (13 sacks last year), but he may be a bit undersized at 235 pounds. He would need to bulk up in the pros to play 3-4 OLB.

• Colt Lyerla, TE, 6'5, 246, Oregon: 4pm, Nicholls State at Oregon

The Ducks won't exactly be playing a tough opponent this afternoon, but this should serve as an intro to Colt Lyerla, who stood out to me when watching Oregon games in trying to get a feel for Chip Kelly's offense. Lyerla is a highly athletic TE with great size, who can run, catch, and block. He even had 7 rushing attempts for 63 yards and a TD in one game last season. Brent Celek's tenure with the Eagles may be in its final year, and with the Eagles moving toward a TE-heavy offense, Lyerla could be a target.

• Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, 6'1, 209, Alabama: 5pm, (1) Alabama vs Virginia Tech (neutral field) 

Clinton-Dix is regarded as a top safety prospect, who has good size, and ball skills (5 picks in his first year as a starter in 2012). The Eagles' need for safeties is rather obvious.

• Tajh Boyd, QB, 6'1, 225, Clemson: 8pm, (5) Georgia at (8) Clemson 

Boyd will start his 2013 season with an enormous test against the 5th ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Johnny Football aside, Boyd and Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater are the two big QB names in the 2014 draft class. Louisville will take on Ohio tomorrow at 3:30, but today your focus should be on Boyd if you're not in love with Michael Vick, Nick Foles, or Matt Barkley as the Eagles' long term answer at QB. Also, as long as you're watching Clemson, keep an eye on WR Sammy Watkins.

• Anthony Barr, OLB, 6'4, 248, UCLA: 10pm, Nevada at (21) UCLA

A true 3-4 OLB who can rush the passer will be a clear need for the Eagles next offseason, with Trent Cole aging and Brandon Graham being an awkward fit. Barr is highly athletic, and has the long, lean frame that we perceive the Eagles will like. Barr had 13.5 sacks last year for the Bruins, and is an obvious target.

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