The 71st Annual Reese’s Senior Bowl, scheduled for this Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. has concluded its week of practices. The North and South team practices were intense as the top NFL draft prospects put their talents on display for coaches, scouts and the media. But this game is more than just an All-Star game. For both the players and the scouts, the Senior Bowl is a significant part of the draft process, allowing all involved to get a leg up on the competition.
To follow are three players whose talents and abilities attracted attention throughout the week:
1). QB Jordan Love, Utah, 6-3, 225 lbs.
Coming into the contest, many had concerns about Love’s accuracy. During this week of practice, the Utah State product displayed a level of consistent accuracy in ball placement, especially in his short-to-intermediate throws over the middle and to the sideline.
QB Jordan Love is impressive. Has a nice deep ball and great ball placement. He has been putting the ball only where his receiver can catch it. Love is a sleeper in this year's draft calls that folks should keep and eye on. #SeniorBowl #UtahState
— Dujunnea Bland (@NotBland21) January 21, 2020
When watching the film on the Bakersfield, California native, several things catch one’s eye. Both his deep ball and mobility are impressive. In fact, Love uses his movement in a fashion similar to Seattle Seahawks QB, Russell Wilson, to buy time to make plays in the passing game.
It will be intriguing to see how his performance through practices translates into live game action. If Love can continue his upward trajectory, he could significantly improve his stock for the 2020 NFL Draft
2). DL, Bradlee Anae, Utah 6-3, 265 lbs.
Anae had 13 sacks in 2019, finishing his career at Utah with 29.5 sacks. Watching him in the week’s practices, it was easy to see why he had so much success. He gets off the line of scrimmage with speed and precision, warding off would-be blockers with strength and excellent use of his hands.
During his interview with the media on Tuesday, the Laie, Hawaii native said that he watches and pulled things from NFL players like Oakland Raiders DE Maxx Crosby, Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt and Washington Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan. I asked him specifically about some of the things he has taken away from the four-time pro bowl Redskins linebacker.
“I just pulled how to have great body lean and how to work my hands to be powerful at the point of attack, whether it’s a bull rush or other things,” Anae said.
The defensive lineman showed this week in practice that he possesses a relentless ability to make a play in the opponent’s backfield, consistently working to the running back in team drills. Anae finished his college career with 40 tackles for a loss.
3). CB AJ Green, Oklahoma State, 6- 1, 190 lbs.
The Oklahoma State product is the only Cowboy playing in the Senior Bowl but he caught the attention of many this week in practice. Green resembles Washington Redskins corner and 2019 Senior Bowl participant, Jimmy Moreland, as he is a scrappy player that has a great understanding of where he needs to be to have the greatest effect on the receiver’s ability to catch the ball.
During practices, Green was physical with the wide receivers, showing great footwork and a ‘no-fear’ mentality on many occasions. He can hang with some of the NFL’s best wideouts in the game but still needs to develop his skills, learn to have more control and not be overly-aggressive. Green has the potential to be a solid NFL cornerback.
A few guys have stood out so far in South team practice. DB AJ Green showing great ability to cover in space. Also DB Darnay Holmes has been physical all practice knocking ball down and disrupting the WR ability to catch the football. #SeniorBowl
— Dujunnea Bland (@NotBland21) January 21, 2020