NFL
By Bill Carroll
The 76th Senior Bowl is now underway and there was a great deal of walking through, but there was some pad popping and even one minor skirmish. I want to be entirely transparent, if you are looking for deep and probative analysis of a practice that was largely at half speed with players who are still getting acquainted, I am not going to be able to provide that.
Senior Bowl’s Terrific Tuesday Practice Stars: Defense
It was clear to me that this was going to be sparse aside from a few really strong one on on repetitions from a few defensive lineman/pass rushers like:
Mike Green, of Marshall, Omarr Norman-Lott from Tennessee-
Knoxville, BC’s Donovan Ezeiruaku also flashed in the team drills as a player with the power and hand usage to hold the edge in the run as well as pressure the passer. Among the impressive defensive backs were Illinois State’s Keondre Jackson [he is listed as a LB/EDGE on the Senior Bowl roster], but is is seen as a Star/
Spur/strong safety by most NFL evaluators. During the one on one sessions Louisville CB Quincy Riley showed competitiveness and poise on a fade route by staying in phase and punching out a near completion.
Senior Bowl’s Terrific Tuesday Practice Stars: Offense
Again I want to remind everyone that installation is not complete and intensity was a bit muted, however North Dakota State is continuing its run as the FCS version of offensive line U. OG/OT Gray Zabel was the talk of the day. He showed agility, balance, footwork, hand-placement, strength and technique. I think he helped himself more than any other single prospect here. The other FCS offensive lineman, [and the only HBCU prospect at the Senior Bowl], Alabama A&M offensive lineman Carson Vinson showed that he belonged. A highly decorated player, Vinson was All-SWAC First Team, AFCA FCS All-American Second Team, and the Associated Press All-American Third Team. He stalemated the talented pass-rusher Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M and overall had a solid performance.
Among the tight ends and wide receivers, the “U” was well represented. A player that I had questions regarding his burst, fluidity and recovery from injury was Elijah Arroyo. He provided a resounding response to each question. Other than Zabel he was the most impressive player on offense, in my opinion. He has a checkered injury history, having lost over half of the 2022 and 2023 seasons to knee injuries. He will likely push himself into day two consideration if he continues and tests well at the combine.
Xavier Restrepo was the most consistent of all of the wide receivers and only TCU’s Jack Bech was, in my mind, a distant second. Restrepo is a refined slot with a host of release moves and is sudden into and out of his breaks. Bech is a classic possession receiver with hands, size [6 1 1/2″ 214], and toughness. Bech made some difficult catches but struggled to create separation. That was an issue for most of the wide receivers.
None of the running backs truly stood out to me and the quarterbacks were still learning the offense and their teammates.
My Senior Bowl Watchlist For Wednesday
Today I want to see: more of all of the QBs, WR Pat Bryant, RB Trevor Etienne, RB Ollie Gordon II, RB Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, RB Damien Martinez, RB Devin Neal, DT Walter Nolen, DE/OLB Collin Oliver, WR Jalen Royals and TE Mason Taylor. This is a strong group and despite the complaints about the QBs, only one of whom is on my top 60, this is a talented group as a whole. I will have more for you later today!
