There was a lot of action on the first day of the Senior Bowl in Mobile. The offense for both teams today seemed to struggle. BYU Quarterback Jarren Hall and TCU Quarterback Max Duggan could not seem to find a rhythm on the first day of practice. The defense from both teams limited the offenses to very few big plays. Which really made the defensive and special teams players the ones who stood out on Tuesday. 

The National team had a bunch of their prospects show out on Tuesday. The star of the show was clearly Dawand Jones, offensive tackle from Ohio State who weighed in at 6 foot 8 inches and 375 pounds. His size and strength allowed him to dominate the National team's pass rushers all morning long. A tackle with his size and ability to move will make the mouths of these scouts and General Managers water. JL Skinner, safety from Boise State, was another player who stood out on the National Team. Skinner's size at the safety position may give him trouble in man-to-man coverage but he showed today that he can make receivers and tight ends pay when in his direction. Ronnie Bell was clearly the best receiver on the field today. He was able to run effortlessly smooth routes and field punts at an elite level. The last player that really stood out on this National team roster was former Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer who was putting on a punting clinic in the first session of practice. 

National Team Player to Watch: Puka Nacua, WR BYU

           Personally, I feel like this 2023 WR class overall has a bunch of good WRs and none of them are really great. However, in a league that continues to trend in the direction of airing it out more, now more than ever has there been a greater need for not just having depth at the position, but quality depth is essential. During the first practice for the national team, there wasn’t anyone that stood out more than WR Puka Nacua from BYU. He’s 6’2 and uses every bit of his size and catch radius to make several difficult catches during the first day of practice. The big one was during a 1v1 drill where he made a deep pass to the sideline and adjusted his body to make an excellent diving catch for well over 30+ yards.

           He’s not just a 50/50 ball guy (although that’s where his biggest strength is). Watching the tape during his time with BYU he would also get opportunities to use his speed on WR reverses, sweeps, and quick screens as well. During my interview with him, that’s a part of his game that he wants to showcase as well to scouts and other NFL teams. If he can continue to have a strong week as he did in setting the tone on day 1, he could be climbing up on a lot of team’s draft boards.

As for the American team, they did not have the abundance of solid performances that the National team had. Obviously, they are missing Tennessee Quarterback Hendon Hooker from the roster due to injury but the rest of the quarterbacks on the roster did not take advantage of the opportunity of a missing Hooker including Duggan. The offensive and defensive line were the highlights the American team put on display during the 1 on 1 pass rushing drills. Tackles O’Cyrus Torrence from Florida, Darnell Wright from Tennessee, and Matthew Bergeron from Syracuse brought out a size that was hard to keep your eye off of. The battles between those three pass rushers on this American roster, Tennessee’s Byron Young Jr., Auburn's Derick Hall, and Oklahoma’s Wanya Morris. who put up great efforts against this good offensive line group. For the American team to have a shot on Saturday they are going to need to rely on their ability to run the ball with size up front, and rush the passer with elite speed and power on the defensive front.

American Team Player to Watch: Kenny McIntosh, RB Georgia

           There were several standouts on the American team that I saw from practice, but I’m going to go with the safe pick with Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh. McIntosh is the perfect mold for today’s change of pace RB. Especially if you already have a physical bruising back. What stood out to me in today’s practice was how comfortable McIntosh was in the passing drills and running routes. However, his day was cut due to a lower-body injury which was later to be reported to be a leg cramp. McIntosh’s 6’1 frame with his exceptional pass-catching ability will make him a must-watch throughout the week.

           Additionally, be sure to keep your eyes on DB Tyrique Stevenson from Miami. The American team has a lot of speed on the WR chart and he more than held his own in the 1v1 release drills. He closed his rep with matching TCU WR Derius Davis move for move and even undercutting an over route forcing QB Max Duggan to not even throw the football. Stevenson was heavily regarded as one of the best press corners in the draft and today was the perfect day to showcase it. The national team has a lot of size on the outside, and on Saturday Stevenson can show his coaching staff and scouts that he deserves to climb up the draft boards. 

-By: Sam Kirk & Kris Thomas

Who said the game doesn’t matter?! While the practices are the massive spectacle of the Senior Bowl every year, a good amount of media leaving before the weekend arrives, it is still the Senior Bowl. The whole week is centered around the All-Star bowl game. The game does matter and it can help a player’s stock in a variety of ways. Whether it’s through solidifying a strong week or providing a rebound from a couple of mediocre practices, the Senior Bowl game should not be overlooked. Here are six players that made the most of the Senior Bowl game.

Perrion Winfrey, DT Oklahoma

• Perrion Winfrey played himself into first-round contention this week. A player who many in Sooner Nation claim was severely misused, Winfrey realized the potential many saw at Oklahoma. The first thing you notice about him is his energy. He has an infectious energy that uplifts his teammates around him and fuels his own performance. He plays with extreme violence as a result, and it’s combined with natural leverage to create a heck of a bull rush. Quick and agile, you don’t know what Winfrey is going to hit you with until he’s wrapped up the quarterback. After dominating the practices, a two-sack performance earned him the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl MVP award.

Boye Mafe, EDGE Minnesota

• While Winfrey took home the MVP award, Boye Mafe pushed him to the limit for it. In a defensive end class that took the offensive tackle unit to the cleaners in Mobile, Mafe was one of the brightest stars. Experiencing a breakout senior season with seven sacks and 10 total tackles for loss, Mafe carried that momentum into Mobile. With a wicked first step and otherworldly bend for being at 255, Mafe slithered around most tackles here. With two sacks himself. Mafe is an interesting mid-round prospect. 

DeAngelo Malone, EDGE Western Kentucky

• DeAngelo Malone’s big week should not come as any surprise to anyone who knows him. For three seasons now Malone has steadily been amongst the best defensive ends in football, averaging a little over 16 tackles for loss over that time. Malone might only be around 230 pounds, but he still packs a punch. He is in a class of his own at converting speed to power, and he lives in the backfield. While he might not have stuffed the stat sheet like Mafe and Winfrey, he gave the National squad more than they could handle. It will be interesting to see how teams view the undersized former Hiltopper, but Malone did everything he needed to down in Mobile.

Christian Watson, WR NDSU 

• No player in this Senior Bowl cycle has raised their move higher than the wideout from North Dakota State. After strong showings in the 1v1 drills and just catching everything in practice when it came to the big game, he didn’t get much of an opportunity but when it came to his only target of the game he made the most of it with his 38-yard reception. Pickett’s pass was underthrown but Watson not only was still able to make a spectacular catch but had the wherewithal to get up and continue to run after not being touched diving for the football. Watson displayed he deserves to be a 2nd round consideration with his 6’4 frame and mid 4.3 speed, he’ll make waves in the NFL soon enough.

Jesse Luketa, LB Penn State

• The National Team put on a clinic today registering eight sacks & Jesse Luketa had two of them, one of them being a strip-sack which cost the American Team points before the half. Luketa has had a great showing in the Senior Bowl practices displaying his abilities to win his matchups on the edge. Although being 6’3 and 265 Luketa has shown a high motor and winning nearly every snap. Luketa has shown in Penn State and this week Mobile he can be a force as a pass rusher and a drop back linebacker. Where he gets drafted will be interesting to see in April to see how an NFL team will use him, but at Mobile, he was a pass-rushing pillar.

Malik Willis, QB Liberty

• Willis went from a project to the worst-kept secret within a week here in Mobile. I’m sure now until April, he and Pickett will be who the analyst and mock draft experts will go back and forth about who is QB1. Willis' raw talent was definitely showcased this week. Very strong arm to push the ball down the field and in tight windows, and the athletic ability to take over a game as a dynamic runner. Today wasn’t the right circumstances for Willis to show off as a passer because his offensive line allowed pressure on every play. However, his ability as a runner and change direction was almost video game-like. In the draft, especially at QB, someone is always willing to gamble on raw talent and work on the other fixable aspects for them to become a complete package. We saw it with Josh Allen 4 years ago. If a team comes in with a laid-out blueprint plan Willis could be a force in the NFL like the spurts we’ve seen in Mobile this week

  -By: Kris Thomas & Jacob Keppen

Day two of the Senior Bowl practices. It was cold and rainy, making for overall terrible playing conditions, but that didn’t seem to affect these players. Here are five players who emerged from the inclement weather in Southern Alabama as clear winners.

Jeremy Ruckert, Tight End Ohio State

Jeremy Ruckert had a ton to prove this Senior Bowl. A former five-star recruit, Ruckert was never really able to showcase his receiving abilities at Ohio State. With so many mouths to feed in the Buckeyes offense, Ruckert only managed 309 yards his senior season. He’s shown in the past that he can make fantastic grabs, and that’s absolutely what he’s shown so far in Mobile. Jeremy Ruckert has pretty much caught EVERYTHING thrown his way the past two days. As a blocker, he’s been as good as advertised, darting through defenders in the drills. I’ve been extremely impressed with Ruckert this week.

Perrion Winfrey, Defensive Tackle

Perrion Winfrey looks like a star. Everything about him in Mobile so far has been must-see tv. He’s virtually been unblockable in the 1v1 drills, showing great hand fighting and effort. He had a fantastic rep against Boston College’s Zion Johnson, a player that made our list yesterday. He chooses violence with every snap and just has another level to his burst than most other defensive tackles here. What I love the most about Winfrey is the overall energy he brings to the field... you can tell he truly loves the game. If he keeps this up, I could see Winfrey going very early into day two of the draft.

Velus Jones, Wide Receiver Tennessee

Velus Jones was probably the biggest surprise of today for me. I’m intrigued with him as a player, but more for his return abilities. As a receiver, I was uncertain about Jones heading into this week. Man did he impress today. He looked extraordinarily fast, defenders struggling to keep up with him in the 1v1s. His route running was unexpectedly good. Could Jones be a solid https://app.bitly.com/Bic8fLwEsEO/bitlinks/2AZHYXMreceiver in addition to his return skills?

Malik Willis, Quarterback Liberty

This week is everything for Malik Willis and his stock. His situation did him no favors, in terms of both growth and level of competition. He needed to make a statement in Mobile, and a statement he made today. Through two days the Liberty quarterback has been the best of the passers in Mobile, and he just had a phenomenal day two. Willis looked like a star on day two. The arm talent was there, the mobility evident. He was making nice sharp throws on the run. The ball just naturally flies out of his hand! Willis has been made the most of his opportunity in a quarterback group really struggling to inspire confidence.

Bo Melton, Wide Receiver Rutgers

Everyone is starting to fall in love with this Rutgers receiver, and it’s something I saw happening nearly a year ago. The player we saw the past five years does not paint the complete picture. Melton was held back by scheme and personnel, still managing to make the most out of his situation with two 600+ yard seasons. When he got the ball good things happened. At Mobile, great things are happening for the New Jersey native. While others were struggling with rainy conditions Wednesday, Melton’s footwork was as crisp as ever. He is winning routes early at the line of scrimmage with footwork, then pulling away with his fantastic speed. Melton was a clear winner on day two.

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen