He was a mere afterthought to most of those watching from the outside, little more than window dressing to Alabama’s more high-profile offensive stars in tailback Derrick Henry, wide receiver Calvin Ridley and quarterback Jacob Coker.

But a virtuoso performance in Monday night’s national championship game means the entire world knows who junior tight end O.J. Howard is now, not the least of whom are NFL scouts still drooling over what they saw from Howard in the win over Clemson.

All he did was set a Crimson Tide single-game record for receiving yards for a tight end with his five catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns. His size, soft hands and ability to run after the catch made believers everywhere.

That’s all it took for the professional stock for the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Howard to skyrocket if he decides to leave school early and jump to the NFL. (Underclassmen must declare by Jan. 18.) One game has lifted him from a relative unknown who might have been hard-pressed to be drafted at all to a now known commodity who could go as high as the second or third round in the upcoming NFL Draft in April.

But Howard was hardly alone among SEC players bettering their draft stock with strong bowl performances. Here’s a look at the 10 conference players who added future money to their pockets.

1. TE O.J. Howard (Alabama): Before the national championship game, Howard had just 394 yards receiving and no touchdowns for the season.

2. LT Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss): A dominant run- and pass-blocker, Tunsil was set to be a high first-round pick before a scintillating performance for the Rebels in the Sugar Bowl. He not only paved the way up front for a record-setting Rebels offense, but added the coup-de-grace for his college career by hauling in a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chad Kelly in the Sugar Bowl blowout of Oklahoma State. Tunsil could be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

3. DT A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama): Robinson was an unstoppable force in the Cotton Bowl win over Michigan State and has the size, speed and aggressiveness that pro teams covet. He could go in the top 12-15 selections.

4. SS Eddie Jackson (Alabama): The junior and converted cornerback capped a fantastic first year at safety by coming up with three tackles and a key interception in the national championship win over Clemson. He has great speed and is just scratching the surface of his enormous potential at his new position. Would probably have gone in the second or third rounds had Jackson opted against returning to school for his senior season.

5. TE Hunter Henry (Arkansas): Henry, the winner of the John Mackey Award that goes to the nation’s best tight end, totaled five catches for 92 yards to help the Razorbacks blast Kansas State 45-23 in the Liberty Bowl. An excellent athlete, the sure-handed Henry will likely go no later than the second round.

6. LT Denver Kirkland (Arkansas): The 6-foot-5, 340-pound junior switched to left tackle this year, but is expected to move inside at the professional level. That versatility will only help improve his stock. Should hear his name called in the second or third rounds.

7. CB Cyrus Jones (Alabama): Jones, who was more highly regarded as a return man than a cover corner, turned in a magnificent performance in the Cotton Bowl win over Michigan State and came up with a key interception to thwart a Spartans drive late. He struggled at times in the regular season against bigger receivers, but a strong postseason and his abilities as a return man should put him in the middle rounds.

8. LT Shon Coleman (Auburn): Coleman, a cancer survivor who went on to enjoy a great collegiate career, was a second-team All-SEC pick this season and played a big role in the Tigers’ 31-10 beatdown of Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl. Likely second-round pick.

9. RT John Theus (Georgia): Theus, a first-team All-SEC pick, made his 48th career start and 33rd consecutive in the TaxSlayer Bowl to help Georgia outlast Penn State, 24-17. His size (6-feet-6, 303 pounds) and durability make him an enticing prospect who could go in the second round.

10. QB Jacob Coker (Alabama): The Florida State transfer can no longer be saddled with the odious “game manager” label after making plays with both his arm and his feet to lead Alabama to the championship win over Clemson. Coker threw for a career-best 325 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in the national championship game — after throwing for a then-career-best 286 against Michigan State. His big arm, growing confidence and 6-foot-5 frame means that somebody will likely take a shot on him in the later rounds.