The traditional Blue-Gray Game on Christmas Day has become the first annual all-star game for college seniors. The two squads featured 80 talented players from all divisions of competition and from teams which did not participate in postseason bowl games. The Gray won the high-scoring affair 40-37 behind Billy Gramatica's four field goals.

This year's class will be hard pressed to duplicate last year's squad, which produced 22 players drafted by the NFL.

Rutgers quarterback Mike McMahon improved his standing Christmas Day. (Allsport)

Both squads showcased several quarterback prospects who improved their stock. QB Mike McMahon of Rutgers showed a fine touch as a pocket passer and was the offensive MVP for the Blue. QBs Jason McKinley and David Rivers also distinguished themselves. Rivers had a fine senior season at the Division I-AA level after transferring from Virginia after his junior season. McKinley displayed well-developed QB skills, reading defenses and hitting the open receiver quickly.

Small-college players got a chance to match up with Division I-A players, and several stood out in practices and the game. Runner R.J. Bowers of Grove City, a Pennsylvania Division III team, set a college career rushing mark for all divisions with more than 7,000 career yards. He played well at fullback, showing the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and pick up linebackers in blitz situations.

Receivers Richmond Flowers of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Alan Bannister of Eastern Kentucky both improved their stock with impressive showings. Flowers displayed fine hands and the quickness to get open consistently. Bannister combines size and speed, and showed the ability to get open against all-star cornerbacks.

Small-college offensive linemen were also well represented by tackles Kendrick Rogers of Alabama A&M, Dennis Norman of Princeton and center Robert Garza of Texas A&M-Kingsville. Rogers is a huge tackle with the footwork necessary to play on the outside. He has the package NFL scouts seek in a tackle prospect -- wide base, large wingspan and quick footwork. Norman has a strong base and fine footwork needed to develop into an NFL lineman and gave a nice effort. Garza is a strong pivotman with the mobility to move along the line and get outside. He gets a good push in the middle with a strong surge as a drive blocker.

More draft analysis

Rising pro prospects

1. Mike McMahon, Rutgers
Senior, QB, 6-2, 215
Smooth senior passer gave a strong performance at both practices and the game. He throws an accurate soft ball that allows receivers to make plays on the pass. He also shows the ability to pick up secondary receivers.

2. Edgerton Hartwell, Western Illinois
Senior, LB, 6-3, 230
This hard-hitting linebacker has the speed to go sideline to sideline and was impressive over the week. He improved his stock by showing the ability to fill the middle in addition to the speed needed to cover the field.

3. Richard Newsome, Michigan State
Senior, DB, 5-11, 185
Quick cover man made a key interception that he ran back for a TD in the first half. He has the recovery speed to play man coverage with the ball instincts to make plays.

Utah's Steve Smith demonstrated his quickness and versatility. (Allsport)

4. Steve Smith, Utah
Senior, WR-KR, 5-9, 175
Elusive wideout/return specialist displayed the acceleration to make things happen in the open field. His versatility as a receiver and return man will enhance his draft stock in April.

5. Alan Bannister, Eastern Kentucky
Senior, WR, 6-5, 200
Big, fast athlete had a strong week of practice and finished with an impressive game performance that included seven catches for 124 yards. With his unusual size for a wideout, he provides a fine target and creates major matchup problems in coverage.

6. Jason McKinley, Houston
Senior, QB, 6-2, 210
Accurate signal-caller improved his stock off an impressive game and practice week. He throws an accurate soft pass and hits his receivers consistently in stride to allow them to make yardage after the catch.

7. David Rivers, Western Carolina
Senior, QB, 6-2, 215
Strong-armed senior passer showed the ability to make all the throws against Division I-A defenders. He hit on a 75-yard bomb in the second half, showing excellent touch and timing in the deep game.

Richmond Flowers starred at the Blue-Gray Game. (Allsport)

8. Richmond Flowers, Tenn-Chattanooga
Senior, WR, 5-10, 190
Tough, compact wideout had an outstanding game, including the game-winning TD reception. He had 12 receptions for the game for 169 yards and the crucial 21-yard TD.

9. Jimmy Williams, Vanderbilt
Senior, CB, 5-10, 185
Quick cornerback showed a nice burst to the ball in pass coverage, guarding much bigger receivers in practice. He has made nice progress on defense after starting his career as a running back.

10. Michael Stone, Memphis
Senior, CB, 5-11, 190
Agile senior corner displayed fine ball reactions and the recovery speed to cover the deep pass. He combines nice size and speed to warrant a long look this postseason.

11. R.J. Bowers, Grove City (Pa.)
Senior, FB, 6-1, 240
Talented small-college back made a favorable impression as a fullback over the week. He has sure hands as a pass catcher and has the power and quickness to be a strong inside runner.

12. Kendrick Rogers, Alabama A&M
Senior, OT, 6-5, 295
Massive offensive tackle saw action on both the left and right sides during the game. He has the package the NFL scouts seek in a tackle prospect and performed well over the week against the higher level of competition.

13. Robert Garza, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Senior, OC, 6-2, 290
Strong pivotman had a fine performance opening holes for runners Carl Fair and Corey Crume. He has a wide base and plays with leverage to get a strong push as a drive blocker.

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.