The Senior Bowl is officially underway with the first day of practice complete. So far, the Senior Bowl Notes are mostly positive as the teams settle into the week of practice with each other. The American Practice concluded on-field festivities for the day, led by head coach Terrell Williams.
We had a good time in Mobile, Alabama, watching the first roster of future NFL players take to the field at Hancock-Whitney Stadium, surrounded by thousands of media and NFL personnel to observe. The weather in Mobile this year is perfect, as temperatures reached a high of 65 degrees with a coastal breeze keeping the sun from getting too hot, and weather projections show that it should remain like this all week.
Senior Bowl Notes: Offensive Standouts
WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
I didn’t see much of the 1v1’s of wide receivers against the defensive backs because of my preference to let the quarterbacks settle in with their wide receivers a little bit before watching. However, even from my end of the field, Ladd McConkey stood out with smooth route running, control through his breaks, and made life difficult for defensive backs trying to cover him. McConkey was a guy I identified coming into the week that probably would have a stellar week and he’s off to a strong first day.
OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Tyler Guyton needed to come to Mobile to solidify himself as a first-round pick, and it looks like he has a chance to make it after this week. Guyton held up in 1v1s very well against a good group of defensive linemen and stood out as a strong, capable player. Guyton’s hands are well fit to handle his inside punch technique and his strength allows him to command his defender from engagement.
IOL Christian Hayes, UConn
Christian Hayes was another lineman who stood out, mostly with his power and quickness. Hayes plays lower to the ground standing at 6024 and 318 pounds. He doesn’t bend at his waist, can get under his defender, and lifts well. Hayes stood out to me as a guy who has the perfect natural size to stand out as a guard at the next level.
IOL Brandon Coleman, TCU
Brandon Coleman had a bunch of stone wall reps in 1v1 and looked absolutely dominant at times against this interior defensive line group. Coleman’s hand placement looks good, but he’s just stronger than most defenders and wins with his strength. It will be interesting to see how he’s tested tomorrow.
Senior Bowl Notes: Defensive Standouts
EDGE Darius Robinson, Missouri
Darius Robinson has a strong arsenal of moves, showing a lot of versatility over his career at Missouri. He continued on that course today, this time getting after the Senior Bowl offensive linemen and finding ways to impact the rep. Robinson is a guy I really liked coming into the game with his strength, power, heavy hands, and overall quickness.
DT Jordan Jefferson, LSU
Jordan Jefferson truly looked dominant at times of 1v1’s today, winning with absolute power and strength. His intensity is something that is not easily contained, as linemen learned today. I love what Jefferson presents as a skillset – but he’s really a powerful brute at this point who will win in that way. If Jefferson shows some more nuance tomorrow, his stock could really skyrocket.