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Senior Bowl: NFL Draft Prospects Who Stood Out
Which players had the best week during the Senior Bowl – and who had the best Saturday during the game itself?
January 31, 2016
Which players had the best week during the Senior Bowl – and who had the best Saturday during the game itself?
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Senior Bowl Stars
The pre-NFL draft process began to ramp up in Mobile, as the Senior Bowl hosted many of college football’s premier prospects for an important week of practice and Saturday’s game, won by the South, 27-16. Scouts and GMs gathered a slew of valuable information, with the following 10 players making the boldest statements.
10. WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
Shepard was honored as the Senior Bowl Practice Player of the Week among receivers, no surprise considering his track record as a worker in Norman. He shined in the slot, showing scouts he can make plays from the inside and the outside at the next level.
9. CB Harlan Miller, Southeastern Louisiana
Miller spent last week in Mobile answering questions and shedding a few layers of his anonymity. True, he played in the Southland Conference, but he shined like an SEC-type corner against a higher caliber of competition.
8. LB Deion Jones, LSU
Jones is undersized for the position, which isn’t going to change. However, he proved to scouts that he has the strength and the toughness to overcome whatever measurables limitations he’ll be facing in the coming months.
7. OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana
Spriggs consistently stood out as one of the most effective pass protectors at the Senior Bowl. The former tight end is big and strong, yet agile and light-footed enough to seal off the edge on opposing pass rushers.
6. DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
It was a solid all-around week for La Tech, with a pair of Bulldog ambassadors, Butler and RB Kenneth Dixon, making noise. At 6-3 and 325 pounds, Butler measured big enough to handle the nose, but his quickness means he can play three-tech as well.
5. LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama
There were no real surprises from Ragland, who validated his position as the surest bet among the linebackers. An inside guy by trade, he flashed the edge quickness and range in practice to become a fit for additional schemes as the draft approaches.
4. DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
Before injuring his knee, Rankins was unblockable in an Aaron Donald sort of way. Sure, he’s a little on the small side by tackle standards, but his motor and his knifing skills equal automatic pressure, either from the inside or even as a 3-4 end.
3. WR Braxton Miller, Ohio State
When Miller is drafted much higher than originally anticipated, he’ll point to Mobile as his turning point. He was tremendous from start to finish, officially performing more like a dynamic skill position playmaker than a converted quarterback.
2. QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
The most scrutinized Senior Bowl prospect wound up being among the most ballyhooed as well. Wentz lived up to the attention, solidifying his chances of being a high first-rounder by flashing a cannon arm and a treasure chest of intangibles that organizations want in a franchise QB.
1. DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
If Spence fails to be chosen in the opening round, it’ll have nothing to do with his ability to harass the quarterback. The Ohio State transfer with the checkered past was a force in Mobile, routinely schooling opposing blockers as a 4-3 end and a 3-4 outside linebacker.
