Practices have been attended, media breakfasts eaten, and at last the Senior Bowl has been performed. The National crew coached by the Las Vegas Raiders’ DC Patrick Graham beat the American crew, coached by the Chicago Bears’ OC Luke Getsy 27-10 in Mobile, AL. While the sport had some attention-grabbing moments, a whopping 33 gamers didn’t costume out for the sport, defending their our bodies for the lengthy street to the NFL Draft.
So, what we’ll be doing is creating an All-Senior Bowl crew, consisting of gamers who impressed all through the week. While the sport was very enjoyable and had some essential features you possibly can take away, the weeks of Senior Bowl follow might be weighed extra on this train. So let’s get began!
Offense
Quarterback: Jake Haener, Fresno State
The QBs had a tough week this week, which is predicted while you’re throwing to guys you don’t actually know and given three practices to actually nail it down. However, the delight of Fresno State confirmed quite a lot of command of the National crew offense, and performed essentially the most constantly in follow. He was decisive together with his reads, was taking the time to undergo all of his progressions, and confirmed good contact within the purple zone in quite a lot of circumstances. He additionally created properly out of construction this week, one thing the opposite QBs struggled to do.
Haener isn’t the largest QB in any respect, and he doesn’t have the strongest arm, however he’s a gamer and performs the place properly sufficient to be a long run backup within the NFL. The Haener Hive rolls alongside.
Other gamers thought of: Clayton Tune, Houston
Running Back: Evan Hull, Northwestern
Hull had an excellent week of follow that might get him chosen within the NFL Draft. Among National crew RBs, Hull was one of the best in move safety and receiving, and confirmed a distinct form of burst and acceleration inside the holes within the offense. That burst was on show Saturday, as he ran for 74 yards on ten carries and caught two passes for 11 yards. That versatility is sweet to point out for scouts, as Hull may not be a lead again, however might be an excellent RB2-3 for an offense. I fear about his true lengthy velocity, however a crew can use a participant like Hull.
Tyjae Spears, Tulane
Spears was voted Senior Bowl follow participant of the week, and for good motive. Spears confirmed off an explosive second gear, and the power to be a menace within the run and passing sport. Spears regarded quick and confirmed good imaginative and prescient in inside run follow classes, whereas additionally wanting good in move catching reps all week.
Medicals are going to be an enormous hurdle for Spears to beat, as a result of Spears tore his ACL and meniscus in 2020. The NFL Combine might be an enormous take a look at for him, as a result of he’ll be capable of get in entrance of crew medical doctors and undergo their evaluations, whereas additionally exhibiting off his velocity and pure move catching means. He passes these exams, he might fly up draft boards.
Other gamers thought of: Eric Gray, Oklahoma
Wide Receiver: Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
Stanford’s offense was fairly presumably the worst offense in school soccer final 12 months. Combine that with Wilson’s damage historical past and also you get a man who comes into Mobile kind of unheralded. However, Wilson handed this take a look at with flying colours, exhibiting off every little thing he has in his toolbox. Wilson regarded fluid, easy and explosive out and in of breaks, and constantly created separation from National crew DBs. The pacing of his routes remained constant, and he confirmed the power to go up and get the ball within the precise sport.
Like Spears, Wilson should reply many medical questions on the NFL Combine, however he took over this week of follow from Day 1 and by no means regarded again, impressing many within the course of.
Tank Dell, Houston
You wanna discuss lightning in a bottle? Tank Dell is the definition of that. Dell wowed scouts on Days 1 and a pair of of Senior Bowl follow, then didn’t follow the remainder of the week, however that someday was extraordinarily spectacular. Dell confirmed off the burst and explosion he can create in brief areas, whereas additionally being a extra nuanced route runner and true receiver than I beforehand believed.
Dell could be very small at 5’8, 163 kilos, limiting him solely to the slot, however that’s a receiver who can are available in for a crew that wants juice from the slot and create immediate offense.
Jayden Reed, Michigan State
Reed is one other slot-exclusive man, however this week he confirmed good ball expertise and route working, in live performance together with his velocity. Reed is ready to create quite a lot of separation going vertical and throughout the sphere, and was additionally tasked with returning punts as properly. Reed is greater than possible going to be a Day 3 man, however he impressed all through the week, incomes National crew WR of the week within the course of.
Gotta belief Jayden Reed might be there for you — he finds a method (additionally works again to the ball right here and attracts DPI, which is so much higher at this degree … Jayden Reed pic.twitter.com/U77AT01KtU
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) February 4, 2023
Other gamers thought of: Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State, Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss, Andrei Iosivas, Princeton
Tight End: Payne Durham, Purdue
Durham was one of the best of the tight ends right here in Mobile, and confirmed that he might be a particularly priceless goal within the purple zone and in contested catch conditions. Durham is a BIG dude, and might modify properly to passes thrown exterior of his vary together with his 80 3⁄4 inch wingspan. Durham routinely made robust catches in Mobile, and put the icing on high with an enormous catch within the purple zone to arrange a National crew TD.
Payne Durham comes down with a powerful catch on the wheel. Snatches the ball and instantly tucks it in to forestall the DB from knocking it away pic.twitter.com/jhjImkmXF9
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 4, 2023
I fear about how really athletic Durham is, and he was extra constant blocking in Mobile than he was throughout a lot of the season, however he’s a dependable purple zone menace who generally is a stable TE2.
Other gamers thought of: Brayden Willis, Oklahoma, Cameron Latu, Alabama
Offensive Tackle: Dawand Jones, Ohio State
Let me be clear: Dawand Jones not training the remainder of the week actually sucks. But for those who measure in the best way he did, after which carried out the best way that he did, you’d perceive. Jones measured in at a towering 6’8 and 379 kilos, with an 89 1⁄2 inch wingspan.
That’s longer than a king measurement mattress.
That’s virtually so long as a Goliath Heron’s wingspan. Dawand Jones is actually the largest hen.
Jones then went out on Day 1 and present lighter ft than anticipated, whereas dominating in move safety and inside run.
Jones might presumably play himself into the primary spherical, since you gained’t discover many guys that measurement that may use their size the best way Jones does.
Darnell Wright, Tennessee
Wright got here in with quite a lot of hype, and he delivered on it for essentially the most half. Wright confirmed what he does greatest in Mobile: he’s robust and bodily spectacular proper sort out who has actually robust arms. Wright gained greater than he misplaced through the week, and had a tremendous efficiency on Saturday through the bowl sport.
While Wright has so much to work on (I feel he leans a bit too usually and that throws off his footwork and extensive arms), he might grow to be being an excellent proper sort out, and will doubtlessly begin Day 1. It simply is determined by the place he goes.
Other gamers thought of: Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland, Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
Offensive Guard: Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
To go from taking part in left sort out to protect is admittedly troublesome, particularly whilst you’re making the soar up from North Dakota State to taking part in in opposition to one of the best of one of the best from Power Five conferences. However, Mauch not solely stood as much as competitors, he excelled. He confirmed good agility and lateral quickness on pulling performs and outdoors zone runs, and regardless of being a smaller guard at 305 kilos, he stood as much as energy rushes very properly.
Mauch performed all 5 positions alongside the offensive line in Mobile, and a few imagine Mauch’s greatest days are at that place. Regardless of the place he performs within the NFL, Mauch goes to be rock stable for any franchise.
O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
Torrence is STRONG AS HELL. That was evident from Day 1. Torrence got here in about 20 kilos lighter than what he performed at for Florida, however that didn’t have an effect on Torrence’s play energy in any respect. Torrence routinely gained reps in each the passing sport and run sport, and confirmed off the intelligence and fast considering to select up stunts and twists at a really excessive degree. He’s positively a proper guard on the NFL degree, however for a gap-scheme crew who has a gap at that place, Torrence can fill it extraordinarily properly.
Other gamers thought of: Steve Avila, TCU, McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga
Center: John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
Schmitz was arguably one of the best offensive lineman for the American crew this week, and one of the best heart in Mobile. He got here in at 6’3 and 306 kilos, however Schmitz was extraordinarily highly effective and so sensible when it got here to passing off stunts and twists.
Schmitz additionally confirmed the power to play in house and climb to the second degree, routinely smashing linebackers on the second degree on display performs. Schmitz made his case to be one of the best heart on this draft class, and might need been one of the best, most constant lineman in Mobile.
Defense
Defensive Tackle: Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Benton was bodily dominant all week, and excelled in opposition to the run.
However, the place Benton earned his spot on this record was for his improvement within the move rush division. Benton showcased a pleasant mix of each energy and method, going for a easy arm-over transfer a number of instances and beating different National crew inside linemen.
Benton having that lateral quickness at 312 is absurd, plus the ability he can pack within the run sport, is a deadly mixture. Benton impressed me so much in Mobile.
Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
Adebawore (pronounced add-E-TOMMY-wah add-E-BAR-eh) gained the measurements regardless of being 6’1 and 284 kilos. He has a 34 inch arms, and while you watch him play, he makes use of that arm size and leverage to his benefit. Adebawore is robust as all get out, and is a ready-made run defender. He routinely had opposing DTs on skates within the run sport. What impressed essentially the most was his means to get after the passer. He flashed energy and a superb set of counter strikes off of his bull rush, however the bull rush is what brings folks to the get together; simply ask Jarrett Patterson.
His measurement goes to make his scheme match and ceiling a query mark, however greatest imagine that he can convey quite a lot of energy and leverage, and he confirmed that in Mobile.
Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
Karl Brooks has unbelievable bend for a participant who’s on the within and weighs 303 kilos. The Bowling Green defender spent quite a lot of time on the sting for the Falcons, however kicked inside in Mobile and had an excellent week. His quickness and go off the ball was an excessive amount of for inside offensive linemen, and he additionally was superb in opposition to the run, utilizing quickness to place linemen off steadiness.
Brooks will most likely go on Day 2, however he might be an immediate influence move rusher for an NFL franchise.
Other gamers thought of: Keion White, Georgia Tech, Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma
EDGE: Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
McDonald was essentially the most spectacular move rusher in Mobile this week, exhibiting off versatility and bend. He’s bought quite a lot of velocity and explosiveness, and used that together with his lengthy arms (35 inch arms) to maintain offensive tackles at bay. He additionally used an actual candy wanting inside spin transfer that could be a nice counter to the skin velocity he has.
He additionally didn’t look misplaced dropping into protection, both. McDonald is slim, however he can provide a crew quite a lot of pop as a move rusher, and mixing that together with his means in protection makes him a man who might be drafted in Day 2.
Derick Hall, Auburn
Hall didn’t have as many flashes as McDonald did, however he nonetheless had an excellent week of follow in Mobile. He’s a strong man with heavy arms, and that was evident from the soar. If he will get his arms on you first, you’re taking place. In addition, he additionally flashed the power to create counters to his lengthy arm transfer, which doesn’t make him a one trick pony.
I feel Hall is a primary spherical participant. He’s a prepared made run defender and is aware of his strengths as a move rusher, whereas including on to his sport with counters and inside strikes. He’s slightly stiff, however in Mobile he confirmed that he’s bought quite a lot of energy to pack in that body.
Other gamers thought of: KJ Henry, Clemson, Lonnie Phelps Jr., Kansas, Byron Young, Tennessee
Linebacker: Daiyan Henley, Washington State
Henley was one of the best linebacker for all the week of Senior Bowl practices. A man who got here in with much less hype, however he confirmed up and was actual good within the run and passing sport. He routinely shut down RBs in move protection 1 on 1’s, and didn’t look as gradual transferring laterally or dropping in protection. I don’t assume he’s a Day 2 man, however in a weaker LB class he could possibly be a riser.
Aubrey Miller Jr., Jackson State
Aubrey Miller was one of the best true linebacker for the American crew this week, and he confirmed quite a lot of issues I didn’t assume he was able to. He’s a menace within the run sport, filling holes aggressively downhill. However, Miller additionally was capable of present some chops within the passing sport that have been stunning. He by no means gave up on a rep and confirmed good lateral quickness as properly. He’s an intriguing Day 3 participant to me.
Other gamers thought of: Ivan Pace Jr, Cincinnati, Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
Cornerbacks: Julius Brents, Kansas State
Brents was an enormous winner within the measurements, coming in at 6’3 and 202 kilos with an 83 inch wingspan. Brents wasn’t extraordinarily grabby in any respect, nevertheless. He was extraordinarily affected person and broke up quite a lot of passes in 1 on 1 and seven on 7 drills. Brents’ size and athleticism goes to get him within the door for a lot of groups, however the ball manufacturing goes to be what folks wish to see. He had a number of interceptions right here in Mobile, so if he can reply that query, he could possibly be a steal.
Darius Rush, South Carolina
Rush continually improved all through the week, and put collectively his greatest days on Days 2 and three. Rush’s persistence confirmed in all of his reps, by no means panicking an excessive amount of or guessing usually. Later within the week, he was capable of put collectively full reps, staying in part and racking up interceptions. Playing alongside first spherical decide Cam Smith will make you go slightly underneath the radar, however Rush is simply nearly as good in his personal proper.
Other gamers thought of: Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford, Tyrique Stevenson, Miami
Safety: Daniel Scott, Cal
Scott was arguably essentially the most spectacular security in Mobile all week. He matched the ball manufacturing with the flexibility he confirmed on tape at Cal, and produced so much. He has nice route recognition and might break on the ball very well. He performed nickel in Mobile too, and didn’t look misplaced both. I fear about his constant tackling means, however he’s a man who made some huge cash this week.
JL Skinner, Boise State
Skinner is an attention-grabbing participant, who had a superb week in Mobile. He’s a 6’4, 211 pound security, and the place he’s greatest is as an overhang or close to the field the place he can present his physicality. He’s an excellent security for for those who want a man who can fill a lane within the run sport, and embraces contact from anybody, at any time. He’s stiff in protection, but when your crew wants a tone setter on the again finish, he’s an excellent man to have.
Other gamers thought of: Jammie Robinson, Florida State, Sydney Brown, Illinois
Special Teams: Chad Ryland, Ok, Maryland
Ryland was essentially the most constant of all of the kickers, exhibiting quite a lot of accuracy through the week. Ryland’s profession lengthy is 55, so there’s a transparent restrict to his vary, however he went 12-16 at Maryland, and could possibly be value a camp invite.