The scouting world will descend upon Mobile, Alabama next week as the Reese’s Senior Bowl takes place from Hancock Whitney Stadium at the University of South Alabama. The game is set for Saturday, February 5th, but a week full of practice and festivities precede it. It’s one of the first major pit stops on the road to the 2022 NFL Draft, and it’s loaded with talent from the college football world looking to impress the scouts at the next level.
Nashville has become a bit of a melting pot of people from all over the country in general, and its football fandom mirrors that. There are plenty of guys taking the field in Mobile from programs near the mid-state, and I’ve done my best to narrow it down to guys who played at programs that are just a few hours away.
Players of Local Interest in the Senior Bowl
Alabama
Phidarian Mathis, DL, American Team – At 6’4″ and 312 pounds, Mathis has a stout frame that generates an immense amount of power. He’s the latest in a slew of strong, controlling defensive tackles to come out of Alabama.
Brian Robinson, Jr., RB, American Team – Robinson should very well continue the tradition of elite Alabama running backs in the NFL. He’s a physical punishing rusher that likes to bounce big plays to the outside and has an overall skillset that should translate to a productive career in the NFL.
Chattanooga
Cole Strange, OL, National Team – UTC has produced some quality talent in the NFL, and while some may be concerned about a lower level of competition, Strange was dominant. He’s a scheme versatile offensive lineman that is eager to engage and eager to finish blocks.
Kentucky
Yusuf Corker, DB, American Team – Corker is an aggressive downhill type of safety that is a high volume sure tackler. He forced the errant throw that clinched the Citrus Bowl at the end of the Wildcats’ 10-win season.
Josh Paschal, DL, American Team – Paschal is a gap-shooting, explosive, and powerful pass rusher that projects to go somewhere in the middle of the draft. He is a three-year starter for the Wildcats, and earned second team All-SEC honors.
Darian Kinnard, OL, American Team – Kinnard is a tough, competitive lineman with a wealth of experience heading into the NFL Draft.
Luke Fortner, OL, American Team – Fortner is the first team selection at center for the All-SEC team this year, and started all 13 games at the position for the Wildcats.
Memphis
Dylan Parham, OL, American Team – Parham is an accomplished player with 12 starts at right guard for Memphis and a first team All-AAC nod to go with it. His mobility and athleticism make him one of the better interior offensive line prospects in this draft class.
Calvin Austin III, WR, American Team – Austin is as explosive as they come and while some teams might be turned off by his perceived one-dimensional skillset and size, he is as good of a pure play-maker as they come. He is an artist in the open field.
Tennessee
Alontae Taylor, DB, American Team – Taylor is a great man cover corner with solid speed and athleticism. He needs to get more polished and consistent in his technique, but he absolutely could develop into a quality player at the next level.
Cade Mays, OL, American Team – Mays is a big ol’ boy at 6’6″ 325 pounds. He’s a versatile lineman that has played several positions along the offensive front, and plays them all with power and strength.
Velus Jones, Jr., WR, American Team – Jones is a quick, twitchy, and explosive play-maker at the wide receiver position. He looks like a mid-to-late round pick, but if he can expand upon his route tree, he can be coached into a starter in the NFL. He looks the part of a deep threat slot receiver.
Western Kentucky
DeAngelo Malone, DL, American Team – Malone is an athletic, quick, and disruptive defensive end that posted eight sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss en route to being named the 2021 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year.
Bailey Zappe, QB, American Team – In a bit of a muddled quarterback class, Zappe is a guy that I think could see his stock rise in the coming months. He’s got a great arm and showed firm command of that Air Raid offense for the Hilltoppers.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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