The weather was a bit more southern Wednesday, as the North and South teams resumed practice at the 2020 Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
Here’s what I learned from Day 2 of this week’s practices:
Love shines again, other North QBs keep disappointing
In Wednesday’s North squad practice, Utah State quarterback Jordan Love continued to separare himself in a massive way from the other players at his position. While Love looked like the kind of passer who could easily end up working his way into the top 10, Michigan’s Shea Patterson and Washington State’s Anthony Gordon followed up disappointing Tuesday practices with more of the same Wednesday.
Both look borderline undraftable, while Love could challenge Oregon’s Justin Herbert to be the third quarterback off the board.
Hurts bounces back, Herbert still as advertised
After struggling for much of Tuesday’s practice, Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts responded with a much-improved body of work Wednesday. His accuracy was much better at every level of the field, and he seemed much more comfortable in every session. It was a much-needed step up from his performance on the previous day.
Another South squad quarterback, Oregon’s Justin Herbert, continued to build on his success, as he works to solidify himself as the third-best quarterback in this year’s draft behind LSU’s Joe Burrow and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. With Love nipping at his heels, Herbert is doing everything he can to fight him off in Mobile.
Big day for big DL
Tons of defensive line talent made the most of their opportunities Wednesday. Michigan’s Josh Uche was the North’s most impressive edge defender, while North Carolina State’s Larrell Murchison set the bar for the interior defenders. North Carolina’s Jason Strowbridge continued to show his versatility as both a pass rusher (while lining up inside and outside), and by batting down multiple passes at the line.
While South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw may not have been as dominant as he was on Tuesday, there’s still nothing we saw on Wednesday to challenge the notion that he’s the best overall prospect here.
A receiver for everyone
Pass-catchers of all shapes and sizes came up big Wednesday. Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool and Liberty’s Antonio Gandy-Golden showed off their combination of size and catch radius, while Ohio State’s K.J. Hill looked like the most polished route-runner of the group.
Florida’s pair, Van Jefferson and Tyrie Cleveland (a late addition to the South roster) both continued to impress, as did Texas’ Collin Johnson, one of the biggest receivers in Mobile. No matter what kind of receiver your favorite NFL team is looking for in this year’s draft, there’s a player here in Mobile who would be a solid fit.
Center of attention
This year’s Senior Bowl rosters reflected a strong class of center prospects, and while some are making the most of their trip to Mobile, another big name is moving in the wrong direction.
Washington’s Nick Harris struggled throughout Wednesday’s practice, struggling to hold his own against bigger, stronger defenders, and missing on a shotgun snap. In contract, Temple’s Matt Hennessy and LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry III continue to look like NFL starter material with the way they’re holding their own.
Flag party
Wednesday’s practices came with the addition of officials in the drills, and their presence was painfully evident during 1-on-1s between receivers and corners. While many at the college level are accustomed to a certain level of contact being allowed, Wednesday was a rude awakening for many who won’t be able to get away with the level of physicality they’ve come to expect.
Flags were flying on seemingly every other rep, with most of them coming at the top of the route as the receiver looked to break off and create separation. These corners are getting a crash-course in the kind of NFL rules than favor their offensive counterparts.
