We didn't know it at the time, but the College Football Classic that Dublin has hosted over the last number of years has featured some players we can now see in the NFL. There are at least 21 players over the previous two games who have gone on to the NFL - including Christian Hackenburg, Tyler Eifert, Theo Riddick, Manti Te'o, and Zack Martin.
Looking ahead to this year, there are three players who are likely be drafted by NFL teams in the next year. They are likely to be the key figures in the College Football Classic between Georgia Tech and Boston College - so it's worth knowing who to look out for when you go to the game tomorrow.
Boston College: 28. Matt Milano
Probably the best prospect that will be on show tomorrow. The centrepiece of the Boston Colleg defence is highly rated going into next year's draft - and the early rankings have him somewhere between the sixth and seventh ranked linebacker in the country - with the ability to pass-rush and stuff the run. Milano had 6.5 sacks last season as the Boston College defense was the stingiest in the AAC despite their low win total.
He's a former safety, so he has skills in coverage as well, and a good game could alert the attention of NFL draftniks. He could go anywhere from the second to the forth round.
Boston College: 9. John Johnson
The strength of Boston College is their defense. It was one of the best last year, allowing the fewest points per game - despite winning only three games all season.
One of the reasons for that was cornerback/safety John Johnson. He's got the measurables that NFL teams love - especially his athleticism with a high vertical jump. He's the sixth ranked strong safety in college - with a low round draft grade on him so far.
Georgia Tech: 5. Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas is the Georgia Tech offense. They were reliant on him for all of their magic last year, and will be again. The very versatile and intelligent player is splitting draft scouts.
They recognise is ability - but it's doubtful that the college quarterback will be able to translate his talents to the NFL. He was heavily recruited out of high school to play various positions - but he wanted to play Quarterback.
Like recently converted quarterbacks Julian Edelman, Braxton Miller, and Terrelle Prior - scouts think that Thomas could be a receiver or running back in the NFL because of his athleticism and intelligence- and he could yet get drafted. That after schools tried to recruit him to be a defensive back.
Georgia Tech: 21. PJ Davis
Georgia Tech's best defensive player has been proving people wrong his whole career. He was amazing at high school - but people think he's undersized and he couldn't handle college football. He can. He's lead his team in tackles and tackles for loss for two seasons, and it's got scouts wondering about whether the 5'11'' inside linebacker can play in the NFL.
He's going to get his chance as of now - he's got a 4th to 6th round grade on him. But for now - he will be aiming to disrupt the Boston College offence with his enormous motor.
