MOBILE, Alabama – It was a jam-packed day of action from the Senior Bowl as the two teams both underwent official weigh-ins, their first team practices, and media day. Fran Duffy and Chris McPherson recap all of the action below.
Fran's North Team Practice Standouts
DL L.J. Collier, TCU: Collier wasn't always a full-time starter for the Horned Frogs, but he flashed considerably when I watched his teammate Ben Banogu. Collier lined up at both end and tackle on Tuesday and got wins from both spots. He was very active all day.
DL John Cominsky, Charlotte: One of the most intriguing small-school players here, Cominsky checks a lot of boxes. He dominated his level of competition, was one of the winners of the weigh-ins with the way he's built, was very impressive in interviews at the media availability, and I thought he had good flashes in drills today. If I had to guess, he'll be a mid-round pick, and it wouldn't shock me at all if he snuck into Day 2 of the Draft.
LB Te'Von Coney, Notre Dame: Coney was my top linebacker entering the week at this game, and I thought he proved worthy of that distinction. The veteran was really active in the "Inside Run" portion of practice and was constantly around the football, he made a couple of plays at or behind the line of scrimmage in that drill.
T Chuma Edoga, USC: If there was one player on the day who impressed me more than any other based off what I had (or had not) seen before arriving in Mobile this week, it'd be Edoga. The former Trojan boasted great feet in drills, a level of nastiness that is required in the NFL at that position, and overall just looked very comfortable with everything he was asked to do.
WR Andy Isabella, UMass: I've loved Isabella for a couple of months now, and on Tuesday he showed a lot of the reasons why. The senior is small, but he's quick, explosive, savvy, and catches everything thrown his way. Isabella made a number of tough catches in just the limited reps I saw from Ladd-Peebles Stadium today.
T Kaleb McGary, Washington: A long-time right tackle, McGary played there most of the day on Tuesday, and on two straight reps I thought he completely engulfed Northern Illinois pass rusher Sutton Smith. It didn't even look fair.
DT Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois: An explosive interior rusher, Saunders had some strong flashes in the practice on Tuesday, getting a sack in a team drill toward the end of the session and making some plays in one-on-ones as well. He also won the hearts of many a media member during the press availability, as he's easily one of the most charismatic players in attendance this week.
DT Renell Wren, Arizona State: I think this kid has an outside shot at the first round. An explosive interior disruptor who can wreck plays early in the down because of his first step, Wren showed off that game-changing potential in drills on Tuesday and lived in the backfield. Keep an eye on this potential "riser" throughout the draft process.
C-Mac's North Team Practice Standouts
S Nasir Adderley, Delaware: One of the things I learned today was that Adderley requested to be moved to safety during his career so he could be around the ball more. Adderley has the fluid movement skills of a cornerback. He also has a solid football IQ as he read a reverse to wide receiver Andy Isabella and was in position to make the play.
RB Karan Higdon, Michigan: This isn't a great running back group, but Higdon shows toughness between the tackles. He sees where he wants to go quickly and runs hard to get there. Those types of players will always stick in the league.
WR Andy Isabella, UMass: The small-school receiver is only 5-8, 186 pounds but has both short-area quickness and the ability to get down the field as well.
WR Terry McLaurin, Ohio State: McLaurin has a lot of tools at his dispersal. His route-running ability allows him to attack all areas of the field.
TE Drew Sample, Washington: A bit of a throwback in that he isn't an explosive weapon at the position, but showed reliable hands and was able to get open throughout the practice and act as a security blanket for the quarterbacks.
Fran's South Team Practice Standouts
WR Tyre Brady, Marshall: He came in with better length than scouts thought he would and a little bit heavier as well, but the added size didn't take away from his movement skills. Brady caught the ball well today and looked smooth out in space. I asked him during the media availability about my comparison for him in Alshon Jeffery, and he said he absolutely models his game after the Eagles' star wideout. I believe they win in very similar ways.
EDGE Gerri Green, Mississippi State: Green was the starting defensive end/linebacker starting opposite Montez Sweat for the Bulldogs, and he dropped in coverage often in college. He showed off those skills on Tuesday, flying downfield for a diving pass breakup in one-on-one drills, one of the top individual defensive plays of the day on either team. Green displayed impressive athleticism for a 6-4, 254 pound man on that snap.
LB Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State: He was one of the more impressive physical specimens at the weigh-ins, with muscles building on top of muscles up on stage, and that carried over to the field. Hanks had an impressive rep in a one-on-one drill where he jammed a running back at the line of scrimmage in coverage, punching him immediately to the ground and drawing some "oohs" and "aahs" from the bleachers. Later he had a really impressive stick in a team drill where he delivered a huge hit on a ball carrier. I admired Hanks for his athleticism and movement skills, but he's showing off how he can be a bit of an enforcer as well here in Mobile.
T Tytus Howard, Alabama State: If Tuesday is any indication, I think Howard will be viewed as one of the big winners of the event when this week is over with. A small-school player who has completely transformed his body over the last couple of years, Howard played both left and right tackle this season and has the versatility, athleticism, and size that scouts want. He did not look out of place against SEC competition, when Alabama State faced Auburn this season, and that showed up in practice today as well as he stonewalled Montez Sweat a number of times in one-on-ones.
QB Tyree Jackson, Buffalo: He had a couple of nice vertical throws where he got to show off his arm strength today in practice, but he was also one of the winners of the weigh-ins. This kid is HUGE, as a legit 6-7, 250 pounds. That's a big athlete with a big arm.
CB Lonnie Johnson, Kentucky: This kid looks the part. He came in at over 6-2 with a thick frame. He moved pretty fluidly in drills. I was impressed with what I saw from him in limited individual reps that I saw, and he certainly looked like one of the winners of the weigh-ins.
EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State: I didn't take much note of him during drills, but Sweat certainly looked the part at the weigh-in on Tuesday morning. Sculpted with long arms and a physique that impressed both scouts and media members in attendance, it's not a surprise why he's considered one of the top prospects at this game.
TE Trevon Wesco, West Virginia: Described to me by one NFL scout as a "bowling ball" as a blocker, Wesco showed off his route-running skills in Tuesday's practice, juking a couple of different defenders out of their shoes to create separation for the catch. At 6-3, 270 pounds, he's got an interesting frame, and his position versatility will certainly help him in the near future as he tries to make a club this summer.
C-Mac's South Team Practice Standouts
DE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech: The all-time FBS leader in sacks showed up against better competition. He isn't a one-trick pony with an array of moves and enhanced hand usage to win.
RB Wes Hills, Slippery Rock: Late addition making the most of his chance. The Wildwood, New Jersey native showed quick feet and good burst to the hole.
CB Isaiah Johnson, Houston: Love the length he has on the outside. Was all over receivers in the one-on-one drills.
CB Lonnie Johnson, Kentucky: Another long corner who was disruptive and looked comfortable in press coverage.
DT Daylon Mack, Texas A&M: Body looks bigger than 327 pounds but was explosive and quick off the ball. Dominating the interior of the line.
WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina: My standout receiver overall. Nice short-area quickness.
DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State: He looks the part of an NFL pass rusher. He's patient and has an array of moves at his display.
CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple: Rocked up, physically. Was tenacious and feisty getting after wide receivers.
Superlatives From The Weigh-Ins
North Team
Tallest Player: Stetson TE Donald Parham 6-8
Shortest Player: Georgia State WR Penny Hart at 5-8
Heaviest Player: Washington T Kaleb McGary at 321 pounds
Lightest Player: Utah S Marquise Blair and Hart at 180 pounds
South Team
Tallest Player: Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson at 6-7
Shortest Player: Kentucky S Darius West at 5-11
Heaviest Player: Jacksonville State G B.J. Autry at 351 pounds
Lightest Player: Clemson WR Hunter Renfrow at 175 pounds
