Day three of the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl is here, signifying the final practice before the two teams face off on Saturday.
Senior Bowl week is one of the first premier stops on the road to the NFL draft, and this year’s version has not disappointed. We have seen everything from the usual suspects securing their spots in round one to the virtually unknown prospects becoming household names.
Tyler Forness, Managing Editor for Vikings Wire, has had his finger on the pulse in Mobile from the first snaps of practice. He gives us his nine takeaways from the National team’s final chance to compete before the game and what it could mean for the prospects as their pre-draft process begins.
Michigan WR Roman Wilson takes a breather
After two days of domination, Michigan’s Roman Wilson calls it for the week. Entering the week, there were questions about Wilson and his ability due to Michigan’s tendency to lean on the run game to win.
Wilson answered those questions emphatically, getting open at will and creating plenty of separation. He has done everything that he needed to do for this week.
Roman Wilson has shined here in Mobile this week⭐️
Stock up? 📈👀#NFLDraft | #TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/3bqfuilBz7
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) February 1, 2024
Arizona WR Jacob Cowing got injured
On a more somber note, Arizona’s Jacob Cowing was seen limping off the field after a great catch from a pass thrown by Oregon’s Bo Nix.
It has been a good week For Cowing as he consistently utilized his shifty route-running ability to gain easy separation from defensive backs.
Wishing for a speedy recovery for Cowing.
Arizona WR Jacob Cowing is being carted to the tunnels after getting dinged up during Thursday’s Senior Bowl practice. Had a noticeable limp. pic.twitter.com/bE4Q9YHq2k
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) February 1, 2024
Oregon QB Bo Nix still inconsistent
Oregon’s Bo Nix needed a day to solidify that he deserves to be in that upper echelon of quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Instead, Nix was inaccurate during the team portion of practice, throwing the ball short and having some that should have been picked off.
On the bright side, he did have three touchdowns during the red zone period.
Underthrown ball from Bo Nix to the back corner, but nice coverage from CB Khyree Jackson to stay in phase and get his head around for the PBU pic.twitter.com/s0Fc6vBvu9
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) February 1, 2024
USC RB Marshawn Lloyd continues to show off explosion
USC’s Marshawn Lloyd continues to impress this week as he shows off his ability to elude tackles and leave defenders with their ankles in shambles.
Lloyd’s shifty style of play and explosiveness out of cuts make him a more promising prospect in a class that could have its fair share of instant contributors.
Marshawn Lloyd, RB USC forcing missed tackles on every rep today at the #SeniorBowl! pic.twitter.com/VGrMmut5x6
— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) February 1, 2024
Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman struggles
Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman struggles again on the final day of practice for the National team. Even on shorter, simple routes, Hartman underthrew his targets.
It’s been a week of struggles for Hartman as he stares down the fate of being a late day-three to an undrafted rookie route in the face. But at least he is having fun through it all.
Lmao @NDFootball QB Sam Hartman has been a trolling king this week. Here he got the DB to jump on the pump fake and gave him the finger point on his way on the end zone pic.twitter.com/kaCiYyoKBt
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) February 1, 2024
Rice WR Luke McCaffrey not looking the part
Rice’s Luke McCaffrey had some trouble separating from defenders, a problem that has been consistent throughout the week.
McCaffrey, brother of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, just doesn’t have the natural quickness to separate from defenders.
Max Melton is having a great practice. RZ coverage on Luke McCaffrey pic.twitter.com/JCD2npf7Zc
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 1, 2024
WKU's Malachi Corley shines in one-on-ones
Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley continues displaying impressive route-running prowess in his one-on-ones.
On this rep, you can see how he eats up the defensive back’s cushion, and before the defender can react, Corley quickly plants and takes off to his spot just above the pylon, giving his quarterback a large radius to throw the touchdown.
WKU WR Malachi Corley with the TD catch against Washington State CB Chau Smith-Wade #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/HIPITbtgMK
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) February 1, 2024
Utah S Cole Bishop did not have good day
Utah’s Cole Bishop is another top name in Mobile that could use a good week, especially with a safety class that is very up in the air.
Bishop, instead, had a pretty bad day as he got consistently beat in one-on-ones. In the below clip against A.J. Barner, you can see Barner use his physicality to box out the smaller Bishop despite the hold at the top of the route.
Bishop will still be a day-two prospect, but this was a day to forget.
Nice catch by Michigan TE AJ Barner against Utah safety Cole Bishop #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/CAvU2sLAy5
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) February 1, 2024
Notre Dame CB Cam Hart has good day
Notre Dame’s Cam Hart has another good day, especially in the red zone period of the drills.
Hart has had an overall good week, and today was no exception, as he showed his ability to play through the receiver in the red zone. In the below clip against North Carolina’s Devontez Walker, Hart was initially beaten to the inside. As Walker finished his route toward the back pylon, Hart showed an outstanding ability to recover, finding Walker’s hands and breaking up the ball.
Notre Dame CB Cam Hart breaks up the TD pass to North Carolina WR Tez Walker #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/bL9u9Uv1iy
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) February 1, 2024
