Pre-NFL Draft Evaluations Underway with Shrine Bowl, Senior Bowl, and Combine

The initial phases of NFL Draft prospect evaluation are actively taking place, with the recent conclusion of the Shrine Bowl, the upcoming Senior Bowl, and the impending NFL Scouting Combine. These events serve to provide scouts and general managers with opportunities to assess college players through game performance, practice drills, interviews, and athletic testing.

Shrine Bowl Concludes in Frisco, Texas

The 101st Shrine Bowl concluded on Tuesday night at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. The West team secured a 21-17 victory over the East team. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski was named Offensive MVP, contributing 86 passing yards and 28 rushing yards. Wisconsin edge rusher Mason Reiger earned Defensive MVP honors with four tackles and three sacks.

The East team initially took a fourth-quarter lead when Duke's Wesley Williams sacked UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano in the end zone, resulting in a fumble recovered for a touchdown by Aaron Hall with 8:23 remaining. The West team responded with a final scoring drive, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown run by Tulsa running back Dom Richardson with six seconds left in the game, sealing the victory.

Evaluation during the week preceding the game was a primary focus for NFL personnel.

Rosters for this year's event were noted for their depth, with projections suggesting an increase in drafted prospects compared to the 51 selected from last year's Shrine Bowl.

Noted Prospects from Shrine Bowl Week:

• Skyler Bell (WR, UConn): Reported to have over 100 catches last season, displayed route running and separation skills. Measured 6 feet, 212 pounds, and recorded a GPS speed of 20.1 miles per hour.
• Chase Heidenreich (RB, Navy): Recorded the fastest on-field GPS speed for a running back at 20.01 MPH. Exhibited a versatile skill set with three catches for 20 yards and four rushes for 21 yards in the game.
• Dontayvion Jackson (DT, Ohio State): Measured 6-foot-5 and 328 pounds with 35-inch arms and an 86-inch wingspan. Demonstrated quick feet and active hands during interior line drills.
• Malachi Lawrence (Edge, UCF): Measured 6-4, 247 pounds, and achieved a 19.32 MPH GPS speed, noted as a top athlete among edge prospects. Exhibited twitch, burst off the ball, and a range of rush moves.
• Kaden Wetjen (WR, Iowa): Measured 5-8, 195 pounds, and was noted as difficult to cover in drills, also offering special teams value. Recorded two catches for 11 yards in the game.
• Jacob Smith (DL, Arkansas): A 6-1, 328-pound player who consistently disrupted interior linemen in run drills, noted for burst and a low center of gravity.
• Ben Raridon (TE, Iowa State): A 6-5, 244-pound target who demonstrated hand strength and consistently got open over the middle, reaching 19.2 miles per hour on the GPS.
• Nick Rucci (OT, Penn State): The 6-8, 310-pound offensive tackle was noted for nimbleness, burst, balance, and recovery during pass-rush one-on-ones.
• Harold Perkins Jr. (LB, LSU): Measured 6-1, 222 pounds, and demonstrated burst and speed in coverage, making plays on throws from the stack linebacker position.
• Mark Gronowski (QB, Iowa): The Offensive MVP of the game, measured 6-2, 235 pounds, and exhibited consistency in delivering downfield passes along with scrambling ability.
• Micah Morris (IOL, Georgia): Measured 6-4, 346 pounds, and exhibited power in both run and pass protection, anchoring effectively. Played both right and left guard in college.

Senior Bowl Preview: Final Padded Evaluations

The Senior Bowl, scheduled for Saturday, January 31, serves as a significant pre-draft event. It offers the final padded competition for many players before the athletic testing phase. The primary evaluation work is conducted during the practice week and interviews leading up to the game. The Senior Bowl provides initial exposure for NFL coaches to a portion of the draft class.

The Senior Bowl serves as a critical opportunity for players to solidify or improve their draft stock against high-level competition.

Key Storylines and Prospects for Senior Bowl Week:

LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, approximately 6 feet tall and 200 pounds with a strong throwing arm, is a notable quarterback in attendance. He seeks to perform at full health after a senior season affected by offensive line, receiving consistency issues, and injuries.

• Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood is identified as a potential first-round pick, cited by SEC wide receivers as a top cornerback.
• Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, previously ranked No. 19 on a top-50 board, aims to improve his draft stock after a season impacted by a foot injury.
• Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst is noted for his ability to create explosive plays and track the ball downfield, considered a potential Day 2 selection.
• Other anticipated players include San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson, LSU safety A.J. Haulcy, and Iowa guard Beau Stephens.

The roster features a significant number of edge rushers.

• Illinois' Gabe Jacas, who led the Big Ten with 11.0 sacks, is described as a quick and forceful pass rusher anticipated as a Day 2 target.
• Missouri's Zion Young, a long and strong pass rusher, uses heavy hands to access the pocket. Scouts are observing his ability to achieve quick wins in one-on-one drills.
• Additional edge rushers include Michigan’s Derrick Moore, Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton, Alabama’s LT Overton, Texas Tech’s Romello Height, and Auburn’s Keyron Crawford.

Offensive tackles will face challenges in one-on-one practice drills against the pass-rush group.

• Boston College left tackle Jude Bowry, possessing top-100 tools, is anticipated to perform well at full health, characterized by twitchiness and movement ease.
• Florida’s Austin Barber and Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor are also looking to confirm their potential for a top-75 draft pick.

The Senior Bowl offers opportunities for non-FBS prospects to demonstrate capabilities against higher-level competition.

• North Dakota State's Cole Payton, a left-handed quarterback, has attracted NFL attention.
• Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings is described as a fast, physical cover man who aims to disrupt routes.
• Dartmouth’s Delby Lemieux, an offensive lineman, is expected to transition from left tackle to center, with scouts evaluating his foot quickness, strength, and recovery skills.

NFL Scouting Combine Outlook

The 18th NFL Scouting Combine is scheduled to take place, with a focus on athletic testing. Initial reports indicate that some players who completed formal interviews may choose to skip the athletic testing portion of the combine, suggesting that participation in workouts could be fluid.

The Combine offers a crucial platform for players to showcase their athleticism through objective measurements and drills.

Key Prospects to Monitor at the Combine:

• Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon): Approximately 6'3" and 240 pounds, Sadiq is projected for a 40-yard dash in the 4.3-second range and a 40-inch vertical jump. He is noted for a willingness to block, with some reported issues with drops.

• Arvell Reese: Considered a top prospect at his position, citing size, length, and range. A strong performance in running and jumping drills is anticipated.
• Sonny Styles: A 6'4", 250-pound converted safety, Styles is expected to test comparably to Tremaine Edmunds (2018).
• Justin Jefferson (Alabama) & Jake Golday (Cincinnati): Both are projected to perform strongly in the 40-yard dash.

• Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): Weighing nearly 220 pounds, Love is anticipated to perform well in all athletic testing categories.
• Emmett Johnson (Nebraska) & Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas): Both are expected to test exceptionally well, with strong performances potentially moving them into the late third round of the draft.

• Brennan Thompson (Mississippi State): Projected to run a 40-yard dash in the 4.2-second range.
• Zachariah Branch (Georgia) & Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (Kansas): Both are expected to achieve 40-yard dash times in the 4.3-second range.

• Caleb Lomu (Utah): Projected as a top 40 pick with an ideal build for a left tackle. Scouts are interested in his testing performance.
• Kadyn Proctor (Alabama): A highly-rated recruit with athleticism. His combine workout could be impactful, though some NFL personnel project a transition to right tackle or guard.
• Monroe Freeling (Georgia): His draft stock has been rising, and a strong combine showing could further enhance his position.
• Max Iheanachor (Arizona State): An immigrant from Nigeria with a background in basketball and soccer, transitioned to football from community college. Considered raw but athletic.
• Logan Jones (Iowa C): Expected to perform well in running, jumping, and shuttle drills.

• Dillon Thieneman (Purdue S) & Colton Hood (Tennessee CB): Both defensive backs have an opportunity to improve their draft position within the top 50 picks through strong combine performances.

• Cole Payton (North Dakota State): A rugged runner who can enhance his draft prospects by demonstrating his athletic game at the professional level.

Prospects Appearing Across Multiple Evaluation Events

Several players are noted across multiple pre-draft events, indicating consistent interest from NFL evaluators:

• Max Iheanachor (OT, Arizona State): Mentioned in both Senior Bowl previews (aiming for top-75 pick) and NFL Combine outlooks (diverse athletic background, raw but athletic).
• Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee): Identified as a potential first-round pick in the Senior Bowl preview and noted for his opportunity to improve draft position in the top 50 through combine performance.
• Cole Payton (QB, North Dakota State): Highlighted as a small-school talent attracting NFL attention at the Senior Bowl, and as a rugged runner who can enhance his prospects at the Combine.