NFL Draft Weekly Risers: Week 11 Edition
We are now in the fastlane to the Senior Bowl 2022. Midway through the month of November, Senior Bowl fever is taking overdraft fans. With the first acceptances to the event and under 8p days until the Senior Bowl takes place at Whitney Hancock Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, it truly is starting to feel like draft season. Three players (at the time of writing) featured in this week’s Weekly Risers have accepted their invitations already, and the other two players most certainly have to be on the NFL’s radar.
Jalen Tolbert, WR South Alabama
Mobile native Jalen Tolbert certainly won’t have to travel far for the Senior Bowl! A receiver for South Alabama, the university that hosts the Senior Bowl, Tolbert has been one of the top receivers not only in the Sun Belt but in the entire nation over the past two seasons. After a strong 65 catch, 1,085 yard, eight touchdown campaign in 2020, Tolbert has exceeded those totals this year. With more catches and yards already in one less game, Tolbert is currently fourth in the nation in receiving yards with 1,140.
Tolbert had a statement game against Appalachian State, with seven catches for 108 yards. Standing at 6’3 Tolbert is a threat with the ball in the air, using his height in conjunction with great body control to consistently come down with contested catches. A big receiver who can spread the field vertically, look for the hometown kid down at the Senior Bowl.
2. Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE Penn State
Arnold Ebiketie has looked like a completely different player since joining the Nittany Lions this offseason. Ebiketie truly only started his third year for Temple, showing promise for the Owls. In 10 games with Penn State this year, Ebiketie has surpassed his career totals in Philadelphia and rises up draft boards with each performance.
Against Michigan, Ebiketie had one of his finest performances of the season. In a big-time game, Ebiketie had seven total tackles and two sacks, forcing a fumble. It seemed nearly every play that Ebiketie was giving the Wolverines trouble, whether it was in the run or pass game. Look for Ebiketie to finish the year strong in Mobile.
3. David Ojabo, EDGE Michigan
In October David Ojabo played himself into first-round contention. Midway through November, the sky's the limit for how high Ojabo can go. Ojabo is relatively new to the sport, only starting to play his junior year of high school at Blair Academy, but is already making serious waves in his third year in Ann Arbor.
In just his first year truly playing for the Wolverines, Ojabo has become a serious NFL prospect with ten sacks this season. Ojabo hit Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford twice this past week in Michigan’s 21-17 win over Penn State Ojabo has a knack for creating turnovers, with five forced fumbles including one this past week. He’s already producing and isn’t even close to his true ceiling.
4. Dameon Pierce, RB Florida
Productive when given the chance. That has been the underlying statement for Pearce all season, and it showed again in the Gators 70-52 victory over Samford. Pearce scored twice on the ground, adding a receiving touchdown. With his 10 total touches, Pearce earned 126 yards. An important cog in the Florida running committee, Pearce is averaging over six yards a carry and is scoring a touchdown every game. While he hasn’t necessarily taken over the starting role in college, “stats lie all the time” as Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy said in regards to Pierce. Pierce is a guy who can possibly be a better pro than a collegiate player and will get to showcase his skills at the Senior Bowl.
4. Aqeel Glass, QB Alabama A&M
An FCS Player?? That’s right! Aqeel Glass is the small school quarterback prospect that you should have your eye on. A fifth-year senior, Glass is finishing his career as possibly the greatest quarterback in Bulldogs history. In last year’s covid shortened season, Glass led Alabama A&M to a 5-0 record and a SWAC Conference Championship. This year, Glass looks to become the first Bulldog drafted since Frank Kearse in 2011. Glass has NFL size, an NFL arm, the ability to make tight-window throws, and has a bevy of experience at the college level. Look for Glass to accept his invite to some collegiate all-star game very soon.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen