The 2014 Senior Bowl is here, and NFL scouts will be on-hand to watch, with many future players at the next level on display. There will be some exciting talents on the field, and there will be many interested views among NFL personnel. Here’s a look at the South roster, and the players that will participate in this year’s Senior Bowl.
Quarterback
Derek Carr: The Fresno State star had a monster 2013 season and is projected by many as a possible top ten draft pick. Strong-armed and accurate, he can make every throw. Footwork is the only question mark.
Jimmy Garoppolo: The small-school prospect is gaining momentum as he’s gotten more mainstream attention. He has a lightning-quick release and is highly accurate. His detractors point to playing against lesser competition.
David Fales: Another mid-major star, Fales has earned his place as an early-round prospect. He doesn’t have the huge arm, but he’s extremely accurate is a terrific leader.
Running Back
Antonio Andrews: Andrews is a likely day three selection, but he could find his way on the field quite a bit. He’s a strong runner and a solid receiver as well.
Jerick McKinnon: The speedy McKinnon has flashed his best asset in practices this week. He is a late round prospect who provides a great change of pace.
Lorenzo Taliaferro: Huge, at 6’2” and 230 lbs, he brings size and power, but also has enough quickness to make him effective in space.
Fullback
Jay Prosch: Strength is the calling card for Prosch, the top fullback in the country. He opened up big holes for Auburn’s dominant running attack.
Wide Receiver
Jordan Matthews: A deep class of receivers makes it hard to project where they’ll fall, but he shouldn’t last long. He’s big, athletic and has a great set of hands.
Mike Davis: The Texas star has gained momentum lately with a strong week in Mobile. He plays bigger than he is with great use of his hands.
Cody Hoffman: Hoffman brings the size that NFL teams crave, but also knows how to get himself open. He’s an intelligent player who could be a steal in later rounds.
Jalen Saunders: At 5’9” and a tiny 157 lbs, Saunders will have to convince coaches he can contribute consistently without getting hurt. He’s explosive, though, and deadly with the ball in his hands.
Ryan Grant: Grant is another guy who isn’t well known, but who is very talented. He has occasional mental lapses, but his athleticism and ability to make plays makes him intriguing.
Kevin Norwood: While not Alabama’s most celebrated receiver, he did make some clutch plays for them, and showed that he can make plays. He has good size, good hands, and can do a little of everything.
Solomon Patton: Another undersized receiver, Patton projects as a slot receiver, but has return experience and could contribute in a number of ways.
Tight Ends
Arthur Lynch: Lynch isn’t the most athletic and exciting tight end, but he is dependable and versatile. His hands are solid and he’s a terrific blocker.
Crockett Gilmore: At 6’6”, Gilmore presents a nice big target for quarterbacks in the red zone. Unlike Lynch, he’s not polished as a blocker.
Offensive Tackles
Morgan Moses: Moses is a huge tackle prospect who is light on his feet and more athletic than he looks. He has plenty of experience, and if he can keep his weight down, he can be an NFL starter.
Billy Turner: The internet draft community has known about Turner for a while. He’s big and nasty, and could develop into a fine left tackle.
Matt Patchan: Likely a late-round selection, Patchan is an experienced prospect, having spent six seasons at Florida due to injuries. He will need to show something to scouts.
Offensive Guards
Gabe Jackson: Jackson is a four-year starter at Mississippi State. He’s also big, strong, and quick. He should be selected on day two of the draft.
Jon Halapio: The University of Florida lineman is a road-grader at right guard. He’s very strong and is adept at opening holes in the running game.
Joel Bitonio: Despite playing tackle at Nevada, he projects as an NFL guard. He doesn’t have long arms, but he is quick and strong.
Wesley Johnson: Another college tackle, he isn’t big, but he does have good quickness and is a smart player.
Offensive Center
Travis Swanson: Swanson has started since his Freshman season and is the top center prospect in the nation. He’s great as a pass blocker and solid in the run game.
Bryan Stork: Stork snapped the ball to the Heisman-winning Jameis Winston this season and did it well. His strength and athleticism are both enough to get him on the field in the NFL.
Gabe Ikard: Despite a tough week in Mobile, Ikard could work himself into the draft. He’s smart, but needs to get stronger.
Defensive End
Chris Smith: The Razorback pass rusher has a lethal first step on the snap and can terrorize opposing quarterbacks. He’s only average against the run.
Dee Ford: Like many college defensive ends, he might be better as a 3-4 rush linebacker, where he can utilize his speed and agility. Like Smith, he’ll need to improve against the run.
IK Enemkpali: Yet another undersized defensive end, Enemkpali is a good run stuffer, though still solid as a pass rusher as well. He’s more of a traditional 4-3 player.
Defensive Tackle
Will Sutton: Sutton isn’t huge, but he’s strong and plays with leverage. He can provide inside penetration as a 4-3 defensive tackle.
Daniel McCullers: A massive 6’7 and 350 lbs, McCullers works as a run stuffing defender in the middle. He’s not much of a pass rusher, but could make an impact anchoring a 3-4 defense.
Caraun Reid: Reid’s best attribute is his pass-rushing ability. He can struggle against the run, but could be a nice role player in the NFL.
Deandre Coleman: The lack of speed limits Coleman as a pass rusher, but he’s big and strong at the point of attack, making him good in the run game.
Outside Linebackers
Jeremiah Attaochu: The athletic Attaochu is an exciting player who could become a star in the right place. He’s fast and relentless, and his only limit is himself.
Kyle Van Noy: Van Noy does everything well, though he doesn’t dominate in any one phase. He’s smart and plays within himself and should go in the early rounds of the draft.
Adrian Hubbard: As a member of the vaunted Alabama defense, Hubbard did it all. He makes plays all over the field and shows terrific instincts.
Telvin Smith: Smith made a lot of plays for Florida State’s defense, particularly as a pass rusher. He’s undersized at just 218 lbs.
Jordan Tripp: Playing at Montana kept him under the radar, but he has the talent to be a fine pro. He’ll need to adjust to playing against high-level players.
Inside Linebackers
Christian Jones: Jones is another athlete from Florida State’s defense. He’s good in coverage and has a nose for the ball.
Lamin Barrow: While he’s still raw, Barrow is immensely talented. He still has a lot to learn, but how to hit is something he has down.
Cornerbacks
Keith McGill: McGill is a tall cornerback at 6’3”, which NFL teams will love. He has played safety and could play there as well in the NFL.
Chris Davis: Though he doesn’t have great size at 5’10”, he does have good speed and technique. He’ll make plays with his athleticism and is a very good return man.
Walt Aikens: Aikens is having a solid Senior Bowl week, and the small school prospect has gotten some attention. He could work his way into the later rounds of the draft.
Lavelle Westbrooks: Westbrooks is another small school cornerback, but unlike Aikens, he has struggled in Mobile.
Qua Cox: The relatively unknown Cox has a chance to make NFL scouts take notice and get himself onto a roster next season. He is at his best in man-to-man coverage.
Safety
Craig Loston: Though he struggles with poor tackling technique, he is instinctive and a big hitter. He is a likely strong safety as a professional.
Terrence Brooks: Brooks may be lacking in size and experience, but he has plenty to offer. He’s a physical player, but also has some ball skills.
Jemea Thomas: Thomas is another versatile safety who can play cornerback as well. He is solid in coverage, even one-on-one, but needs work on his tackling technique.
Kenny Ladler: While not as agile as the other safeties, Ladler is a better tackler. He is a well-rounded player who is also good against the run.
Kicker
Cody Parkey: Parkey kicked for the national runner-up Auburn Tigers in 2013 and has plenty of experience, having kicked for three years.
Punter
Cody Mandell: Mandell was second-team all conference in 2013. Alabama didn’t punt a lot, but he did it well when asked.
Long Snapper
Marcus Heit: Being a long snapper isn’t glamorous, but Heit was one of the best in the country for Kansas State.