Though the Super Bowl, admittedly the most celebrated game of any football season, will be played on February 1, the Reese’s Senior Bowl will take center-stage this weekend as this begins the unofficial start to draft season. The 2015 Senior Bowl will be played on January 24, in Mobile, Alabama.
While the game will garner a lot of attention, the practices during the week will be a good chance for the 110 players to prove themselves. Here are the 10 players to be on the lookout for during the Senior Bowl.
North Team
Ameer Abdullah, running back, Nebraska
If you have seen Abdullah play, you know he has a place in the NFL. He is a natural ball carrier that runs low to the ground and has explosive cuts through holes.
The biggest question about Abdullah heading into Senior Bowl week is his pass blocking ability. If Abdullah can show in practices that he is decent pass protector, it will improve his draft stock immensely.
Justin Hardy, receiver, East Carolina
Hardy set the career all-time NCAA record for receptions with 387. One of the strengths of Hardy is that he is consistently able to get separation due to his agility, quickness, and balance as a route-runner.
Hardy could be selected anywhere from the second to the third round of the draft. While at six-feet, 188 pounds he may not be a number one receiver, but Hardy could be a great slot receiver (example Wes Welker).
Sean Mannion, quarterback, Oregon State
Even though Mannion senior stats won’t impress you (3,328, 16 touchdowns 18 interceptions), his physical attributes will. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Mannion has the look of an NFL quarterback. He also has the arm of pro at the next level.
Weakness of Mannion is his ability to move around the pocket to extend plays. Currently Mannion is projected as a mid-round draft pick. Certainly he will be looking to improve that this week with his play.
Hau’ou Kikaha, defensive end, Washington
For those who didn’t watch any Washington Huskies games this season, Kikaha lead the FBS in sacks with 19. While college sacks are great, that doesn’t always translate to the NFL level. In the case of Kikaha, that could be the case.
Kikaha is a four technique defensive end that has a good motor and great ball awareness. The 6-foot-3, 260 pounder is projected as a second to third pick.
Zack Hodgers, linebacker, Harvard
Hodgers was the Ivy League co-Defensive Player of the Year after recording 8.5 sacks in 2014. He ended his career at Harvard with 27 sacks.
At 6-foot-4, 245 pound, Hodgers has the size for a good rush end linebacker in the NFL. The Senior Bowl will be a great opportunity to improve his stock since not many scouts saw Hodgers during the regular season.
South Team
Blake Sims, quarterback, Alabama
After having a QBR of 25.8 and three interceptions in the Sugar Bowl, Sims will attempt to have a much better performance during Senior Bowl week. While Sims only played one season at Alabama, there’s a lot to like about the quarterback.
Sims is mobile and has a cannon for an arm. Yes he is small, but the NFL has a few quarterbacks come through its league that are six-feet or under. Sims is likely a day three draft pick, but he could be a solid backup in the NFL.
Philip Dorsett, receiver, Miami
Dorsett doesn’t have great size (5-foot-10, 195 pounds) for a NFL receiver, but he certainly has the speed and ability teams are looking for. He finished the 2014 season with 871 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Not only could Dorsett be used as a speed threat at receiver, he also has the ability to help out on special teams as a return man. Dorsett could be drafted anywhere from the third to the fourth round of the 2015 draft.
Denzel Perryman, linebacker, Miami
Perryman enters Senior Bowl as the best inside linebacker prospect in Mobile, Alabama. He is solid in both stopping the run and in pass coverage.
Perryman could play in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense, so expect him to be a number of draft team’s board. With an outstanding week, Perryman could slide into the first round of the draft.
Jaquiski Tartt, safety, Samford
Tartt was one of the best safeties in college football in 2014. He has good size, is explosive and is physical, everything you look for in a safety.
In game against TCU to start the season, Tartt recorded 11 tackles in a 48-14 loss to the Horned Frogs. He also showed his toughness later on during the season as he played with a sprained leg against Auburn. While Tartt isn’t likely to be a day one or two pick, he could be one of the sleepers in this year’s draft.
David Johnson, running back, Northern Iowa
Johnson finished his career as the most productive running back in Northern Iowa history. He rushed over 1,000 yards in his last three seasons on campus, including rushing for 1,553 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.
Johnson is a hard runner at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds that isn’t afraid to create contact on a defender. He also is a good pass catcher out the backfield, as his 141 receptions at Northern Iowa would indicate. Look for Johnson to come off the board early in day three of the draft.
You can follow Antwan on Twitter @blackredsoxfan
