Written by: Joseph Yun
Twitter: 2Yoon2ZeroBlitz
As this weird pandemic-stricken college football season winds down, the march to the premier event of the draft process continues. The Senior Bowl is currently scheduled as the only offseason scouting event as the others have preemptively canceled. Who are the big names and small school prospects that have accepted their invites to this prestigious event so far?
In this exercise, we will be going by position group as listed on the Senior Bowl website
Also, keep in mind that this is a rolling list and will be updated as new information comes in.
Who are these prospects from far and wide taking their talents to the biggest showcase event of the draft circuit on the calendar? Did Mr. Jim Nagy and company do a great job of recruiting them? Who will be the next Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Van Jefferson, Ben Bartch, or Khalen Saunders?
OFFENSE
Quarterback
1. Kyle Trask Florida
2. Ian Book Notre Dame
3. Jamie Newman Georgia? / Wake Forest
4. Kellen Mond Texas A&M
5. Sam Ehlinger Texas
- The headliner here thus far is Trask, who has impressed in 2020 after a so-so 2019, taking over for an injured Feliepe Franks. So much so that he’s in a bunch of Heisman conversations. Book has been resurgent as of late after a few mediocre performances to begin the season. Will Newman show rust after returning from basically a full calendar year away from competitive football? Ehlinger is just a big name that brings cache that doesn’t really have pro-ready attributes. Mond is a discount version of collegiate Colin Kaepernick stuck in a demanding throwback pro-style system that Jimbo Fisher runs in College Station. A couple of potential names to watch include SMU’s Shane Buechele and Cincy’s Desmond Ridder (he’s on track to graduate as an RS Junior thus eligible for Mobile).
Running Back
1. Demetric Felton UCLA
2. Michael Carter North Carolina
3. Larry Rountree III Missouri
4. Elijah Mitchell Lousiana-Lafayette
5. Khalil Herbert Virginia Tech
6. Trey Sermon Oklahoma / Ohio State
- Felton has had a remarkable start to his redshirt junior season against top-caliber defenses in Cal and Oregon. An extremely talented asset with a diverse skill set as a slot receiver / running back. Could he be Joshua Kelly 2.0 in Mobile? Carter is part of a one-two punch in Chapel Hill for an explosive UNC offense. While the Tigers haven’t been as successful, the blame can’t be placed on LR3. He’s a really solid back in all facets. Honestly, scoring Mitchell could be a coup for Jim Nagy as the Ragin Cajun back is underrated and expected to rise in the rankings. Sermon transferred in from Oklahoma to Ohio State but has flashed production in the past. Herbert is one of the more underrated backs as the Hokies aren't as good as in years past. He's a talent that should be a late Day 2 selection. Obviously, Kylin Hill (Miss State) and Travis Etienne (Clemson) would be a dream get but realistically, Rakeem Boyd (Arkansas), Ty Chandler (Tennessee) would be great additions.
Wide Receivers
1. Kadarius Toney Florida
2. Shi Smith South Carolina
3. Marquez Stevenson Houston
4. D’Wayne Eskridge Western Michigan
5. Tylan Wallace Oklahoma State
5. Trevon Grimes Florida
6. Nico Collins Michigan
7. Austin Watkins, Jr UAB
8. Frank Darby Arizona State
9. Racey McMath LSU
10. Cade Johnson South Dakota State
- This list of receivers is amazingly talented across the spectrum. It’s so good that I can’t pick a headliner and you could argue any number of these guys could be the showstopper. Is Eskridge in line for a Corey Davis like rise up the boards? Stevenson needs the reps as Houston has been in limbo for the majority of 2020. Toney is the top receiver for the Gators but teammate Grimes isn’t far behind. Collins has been lost wandering the desert that is Michigan football currently. McMath doesn’t get talked about much due to the talent ahead of him (that has since opted out in Baton Rouge) but he could be in line to be talked about like Stephen Sullivan of last year. Darby has played in the shadow of N’Keal Harry and Brandon Aiyuk the past couple of seasons but has the chance to make his mark as the guy this shortened season. The duo of Dazz Newsome (UNC) and DeVonta Smith (Alabama) would be awesome recruiting but more realistic targets could be Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Iowa), Reggie Roberson, Jr (SMU if healthy), Amari Rodgers (Clemson) Marlon Williams (UCF) Whop Philyor (Indiana), and Josh Imatorbhebhe (Illinois).
Tight End
1. Kenny Yeboah Ole Miss
2. Tre McKitty Georgia / Florida State
3. Tony Poljan Virginia
4. Kylen Granson SMU
- It’s unfortunate that the perceived top three tight ends in the class are juniors as the depth isn’t as great as in years past but there are talented prospects. Yeboah is the best of the bunch thus far. Poljan is on the radar as well. McKitty has limitless potential but hasn’t found the right scenario at Georgia just yet as the Dogs have had QB issues. Granson was a recent addition to the roster. Alabama’s Miller Forristall could be a fun addition.
Offensive Tackle
1. Liam Eichenberg Notre Dame
2. Teven Jenkins Oklahoma State
3. Dillon Radunz North Dakota State
4. Spencer Brown Northern Iowa
5. D’Ante Smith East Carolina
6. Thayer Munford Ohio State
- Mr. Nagy is building quite a collection of talent at offensive tackle thus far. Eichenberg is often graded out as a first-round tackle on many mocks. Teven Jenkins is a sleeper that’s quickly rising the boards for the Cowboys offense. Radunz has been on the radar for a while now as Trey Lance’s blindside protector. Both Brown and Smith could present themselves as intriguing small school prospects that rocket up the boards with a good performance in Mobile. The dream commitments are aplenty in this class such as Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech), Rashawn Slater (Northwestern), Alex Leatherwood (Alabama), Alaric Jackson (Iowa), and Landon Young (Kentucky).
iOL
1. Ben Cleveland Georgia
2. Robert Hainsey Notre Dame
3. Landon Dickerson Alabama
4. Zion Johnson Boston College
5. Michal Menet Penn State
6. Deonte Brown Alabama
7. David Moore Grambling State
8. Royce Newman Ole Miss
- Grand slam position group by those folks in Mobile. Pretty much every top interior offensive lineman is slated to attend so not much room to take an issue. Dickerson might be a lock to win the Rimington Trophy. Teammate Deonte Brown might be one of the more unheralded guards in the class. Watch out for Moore to rise in the rankings as a small school prospect. Hainsey has anchored the Irish interior in 2020. Zion Johnson deserves more love even with much more heralded linemates. The only way Mr. Nagy could bat around would be if he can land Tennessee’s Trey Smith.
DEFENSE
EDGE
1. Daelin Hayes Notre Dame
2. Quincy Roche Miami
3. Shaka Toney Penn State
4. Jeremiah Moon Florida
5. Malcolm Koonce Buffalo
6. TaQuon Graham Texas
7. Dayo Odeyingbo Vanderbilt
8. William Bradley-King Baylor
9. Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina
- It’s a pretty loaded EDGE group headlined by Roche and Hayes. A good mix of Power 5 and small school guys as is usually the case. I don’t have too much to complain about the group slated to attend in Mobile. Tarron Jackson might be the small school star before it’s all said and done. Koonce is another candidate but the specter of Khalil Mack might reign too much. A lot of potential here. Some potential home run additions: Patrick Jones II (Pittsburgh), Victor Dimukeje (Duke), Big Kat Bryant (Auburn), Kwity Paye (Michigan).
iDL
1. Marvin Wilson Florida State
2. Carlos Basham, Jr Wake Forest
3. Levi Onwuzurike Washington
4. Jonathon Cooper Ohio State
5. Osa Odighizuwa UCLA
6. Adetokunbo Ogundeji Notre Dame
7. Malik Herring Georgia
8. Cameron Sample Tulane
9. Elerson Smith Northern Iowa
10. Payton Turner Houston
- A ridiculously talented list that could get even better with a couple of noteworthy additions. Interestingly, the Senior Bowl is listing Basham as an interior lineman instead of at EDGE. The acceptances are incredible so far. The top five all could be interchangeable, it’s that good. Wilson has struggled with injury during 2020, but his junior tape is excellent. Double O is quickly rising up the boards as the anchor in the middle for the Bruins. Levi O opted out but his junior film was good enough to merit an invitation. Potential names to watch: Darius Stills (West Virginia), Khyiris Tonga (BYU), LaBryan Ray (Alabama), Jordan Scott (Oregon)
LB
1. Hamilcar Rashed, Jr Oregon State
2. KJ Britt Auburn
3. Jabril Cox LSU
4. Monty Rice Georgia
5. Tuf Borland Ohio State
6. Charles Snowden Virginia
7. Baron Browning Ohio State
8. Grant Stuard Houston
9. Riley Cole South Alabama
10. Tony Fields II West Virginia
- A strong group that features a diverse skill set. A list that has a ton of big-time names mixed in with a local product in Cole who never left! Rice is the name to watch here. Rashed hasn’t put up the stats in 2020 but is a talented edge rusher nonetheless. Fields II was a bit of a surprise given the tape at Arizona wasn’t good while he markedly improved at West Virginia. LSU has struggled a ton this season but not on the account of Cox. He’s been resplendent for a tired defense. The Ohio State duo is fun to watch. Britt needs more love. Dylan Moses (Alabama) and Chazz Surratt (North Carolina) could be a couple of names that could be added.
CB
1. Kary Vincent, Jr LSU
2. Rodarius Williams Oklahoma State
3. Elijah Molden Washington
4. Thomas Graham Oregon
5. Tariq Castro-Fields Penn State
6. Robert Rochell Central Arkansas
7. Aaron Robinson UCF
8. Keith Taylor Washington
9. Mark Webb Georgia
10. DJ Daniel Georgia
11. Bryan Mills North Carolina Central
12. Ambry Thomas Michigan
- Let’s just say that the WR vs CB one-on-one’s will be hugely entertaining for both groups. A STRONG top to bottom cornerback room in Mobile. Molden might be the underrated star of the show given his versatility. Rochell has been on the radar for a year even if UCA didn’t play much this season. He more than deserves this invite. Vincent has played relatively well given the circumstances in which he has had to endure. Williams is lowkey very good. Graham opted out but he was the best corner for the Ducks in 2019. I love this group so much so that names like Cam Bynum (Cal), Chase Lucas (Arizona State), and Paulsen Adebo (Stanford) would only add to it. I expect all of the names to have a good time. The Georgia pair don’t get much love outside of Athens but they should.
S
1. Richie Grant UCF
2. Joshua Bledsoe Missouri
3. Shawn Davis Florida
4. Hamsah Nasrildeen Florida State
5. Tyree Gillespie Missouri
6. James Wiggins Cincinnati
7. Divine Deablo Virginia Tech
8. Christian Uphoff Illinois State
- One would surmise that this is a good safety corps to date and it would be accurate. Nasrildeen was a late invite but he hasn’t decided to forgo a redo on his senior season just yet amidst 2020 full of rehab. If healthy, he has the potential to be a top-five safety in the class. Grant is the star of the Golden Knights secondary. The Missouri pair has blossomed this season. Could we see Uphoff have a Jeremy Chinn or a Kyle Dugger like impact while in Mobile? My dream gets: Richard LeCounte III (Georgia), JaCoby Stevens (LSU), Lamont Wade (Penn State), Tariq Thompson (San Diego State)