2015 College Gridiron Showcase: Seven Mountain West players to participate

The 2015 College Gridiron Showcase rosters are out and the Mountain West Conference will be heavily represented at the January 31st contest. Here's a quick look at all the players who picked up invites:

Grant Hedrick - QB - Boise State Broncos

Hedrick capped off a phenomenal two-year run as Boise State's QB-one with a 309-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Fiesta Bowl, leading the Broncos past the Arizona Wildcats. He finished his career in orange and blue with 5,656 passing yards and 59 total touchdowns. He doesn't possess the typical makeup of a NFL quarterback, but he's an ultra-accurate guy with a strong track record. Hedrick will play for the Wranglers in the showcase.

B.J. Rains of the Idaho Press-Tribune wrote a really good article on Hedrick's decision to not hang up the cleats.

David Peterson - C - San Jose State Spartans

A model of consistency during his time as a Spartan, Peterson started 22 consecutive games. He's not a very big name heading into the draft, but a dominant showing at the showcase could possibly land him in the 7th round. Peterson will play for the Wranglers.

Josh Shirley - DE - UNLV Rebels

Shirley originally signed with UCLA out of high school before being dismissed due to suspicion of felony theft. He then ended up at Washington, where he found plenty of initial success with the Huskies as a redshirt freshman. After failing to build on that success over the next two seasons, he transferred to UNLV, where he proved largely ineffective. In 13 games, he managed just 20 total tackles and two sacks. He has a ton of work to do to get his name back into the picture as a potential draftee. He will play for the Wranglers.

B.J. Larsen - DE - Utah State Aggies

Larsen is another player with a lot of work to do if he hopes to have his name called on draft day, but what a career Larsen had at Utah State. He leaves the Aggies with a career total of 17.0 sacks, with 9.0 of them coming during his senior season. He's a massive body at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, but he'll have to prove to scouts that he can succeed against better competition. He will play for the Wranglers.

Jared Roberts - K - Colorado State Rams

CBS Sports has Roberts listed as the top kicking prospect available in the draft. During his career in Fort Collins, Roberts' stat-line shows 79 touchbacks, 42-54 on field goals (including a long of 54 yards), and 143-147 on PATs. In all likelihood, someone will use a late-round pick on Roberts. He will also play for the Wranglers.

Dee Hart - RB - Colorado State Rams

Hart was a five-star recruit back in 2011, but knee injuries and a stacked backfield prevented him from making a name for himself at Alabama. This led him to Colorado State, where he had a big impact in his one season in Fort Collins. Hart finished with 1,275 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns in 13 games. His most impressive performance was a 230-yard, five-touchdown effort against New Mexico. It was a little surprising to hear Hart had declared early for the draft. He's a terrific back, but his stock is low and he'll need a promising showing at the showcase and combine to lock himself in as a sure draft pick. Hart will play for the Desperados.

SaQwan Edwards - CB - New Mexico Lobos

Edwards is another borderline draft pick who could secure a selection with a strong showing. He isn't well known at all, but he quietly put together a terrific season for the Lobos. In 11 games, he totaled 42 total tackles, 3.5 TFL, two interceptions, 9 pass breakups, and 11 passes defended. Edwards will play for the Desperados.