The quick South team limited Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne to just six carries for 21 yards as both clubs failed to generate a consistent ground game which ended 28-28 after a blocked field goal attempt. The teams were forced to put the ball in the air regularly as the two clubs totaled over 500 passing in a game dominated by wide receivers.

Dayne certainly did not have to prove his ability to run the ball after a NCAA record setting career at Wisconsin. He did show though, the receiving and blocking skills over the week that are necessary to be a complete NFL feature runner. His final test will come at the NFL combine in late February when he gets a chance to run for the pro scouts.

No one's stock rose faster at the Hula Bowl than wide receiver Bashir Yamini of Iowa who put on an outstanding display of receiving skills. He made 12 catches for 115 yards while showing sure hands and excellent body control adjusting to the ball.

Two other receivers, Chris Cole of Texas A&M and Scottie Montgomery of Duke, also helped their cause significantly. Cole combines fine skills with the ability to go over the middle in traffic and catch the ball. He also has deceiving speed to get behind cover men in the deep game. Montgomery caught the only TD pass of the game when he connected with QB Marc Bulger. His performance will elevate his stock going into the workout phase of the player evaluation process. He is one of several receivers who have distinguished themselves over the winter with top pass catching ability. He has helped improve the deep class of receivers for the Draft -- by far the strongest area on offense for this April's player market.

More Draft analysis

Blue-chip prospects

1. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin
Running Back, 5-10, 255
Powerful tailback was the marquee performer for this secondary all-star game. He showed the ability to catch the ball as an outlet receiver, one critical area that has NFL scouts concerned.

Iowa's Bashir Yamini had 12 catches for 115 yards.(Allsport)

2. Bashir Yamini, Iowa
Wide Receiver, 6-3, 195
Big athlete had an impressive effort all week and completed things with a huge game-day performance. He combines size, agility, leaping skills and speed and is one of the fastest rising prospects entering the workout segment of the draft process.

3. Doug Chapman, Marshall
Running Back, 5-10, 215
Strong tailback had a fine week showing well-rounded skills to run both inside and outside in addition to catching the ball out of the backfield.

4. Chris Cole, Texas A&M
Wide Receiver, 6-1, 190
Smooth athletic receiver displayed excellent pass catching ability over the week, combining sure hands and precise routes with prototypical size and speed.

5. Scottie Montgomery, Duke
Wide Receiver, 6-0, 190
Sturdy wideout has developed into a fine polished receiver displaying quickness in his routes and the ability to adjust to the ball.

6. Chad Morton, USC
Running Back, 5-8, 190
Compact tailback showed nice versatility to fill a few roles in an offense. He is quick to the hole and has the ability to make defenders miss as well as power to run through tacklers.

7. Marc Bulger, West Virginia
Quarterback, 6-2, 210
Productive senior passer had a hot hand during his limited time in the game yet he was the most impressive thrower on the field. He helped his cause after an injury-marred final season.

8. Thomas Hamner, Minnesota
Running Back, 6-0, 190
Lanky tailback displayed good all around skills including catching the ball as an outlet receiver and fine goal-line running skills where he scored two TDs during the game.

9. Marcus Bell, Arizona
Linebacker, 6-1, 235
Rugged inside linebacker was one of the best defensive players on the field. He showed the speed to go sideline to sideline with the agility to drop in coverage.

10. Durell Price, UCLA
Fullback, 5-11, 230
Powerful fullback got an opportunity to run the ball and showed the strength to move the pile and the quickness to bounce outside and make yardage.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 9 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 mini-camps 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.