With the 2023 Senior Bowl in the rearview mirror, I figured I’d take the opportunity on this fine Monday morning to pass out a few awards to the dudes who I thought really stood out above the rest last week in Mobile.
2023 Senior Bowl Superlatives
Most Likely to Become a First Round Pick: OG O’Cyrus Torrence – I don’t know that anyone from last week’s Senior Bowl is a surefire lock to go in the first round, but there were a few fringe first round candidates. Chief among them is Torrence, who looks like he could be this year’s best guard prospect. Someone is going to take him for his road-grading tendencies and position versatility, as he flashed at left guard and right guard down in Mobile.
Most Likely to Play a Different Position in the NFL: OL Cody Mauch – Mauch was a show-stealer last week as a feisty, tenacious offensive lineman who was willing to get his hands dirty and scrap with anyone. There’s just one thing – he barely got any reps at tackle, if any at all, that I recall. He played almost exclusively at guard, with some work at center to boot. He’s currently listed on most tackle boards, but this is an interior offensive lineman in the NFL. The good news is that he looks like he’s going to be a pretty good one.
Most Likely to Show Out at the Scouting Combine: CB Darius Rush – According to Zebra Technologies, the cornerback product out of South Carolina was clocked at 21.65 MPH, and I’m here to tell you that he looked every bit of that fast in the practices. That is the name of his game – pure speed. I also can’t confirm he’ll be at the combine, but surely he’ll get the invited if some of these other defensive backs have been confirmed…
Most Likely to Rise Up Big Boards: OT Jaelyn Duncan – Duncan came to Mobile with a wealth of physical traits and concerns about his technique. Sure, he’s a bit of a raw prospect, but I thought he proved himself receptive to coaching, and utilizing better technique by the end of the week. That’s not to say he’s got it all ironed out – just pointing out that as teams see him working and getting better, it raises his ceiling and could move him closer to being a first round talent.
Most Likely to Actually Get Reps at the Quarterback Position: QB Jake Haener – Haener is a gamer, and there’s no doubt that his return elevated Fresno State. While I don’t think any of the Senior Bowl quarterbacks particularly helped their draft stock all that much, Haener was undoubtedly the most consistent of the bunch.
Most Likely to Be a Week 1 Starter: OC John Michael Schmitz – This man JMS was out there helping the other linemen run the drills last week. He’s a heady guy that showed that he is wise beyond his years. It also helps that he has a lightning quick first step, beautiful lateral movement, good hand usage, and a low center of gravity to create leverage. He’s the best center in this class, and he already looks like a guy you could plug in and play.
Most Likely to Go Higher Than You’d Think: TE Payne Durham – Questions about his blocking were answered last week, as he was willing to get in there and get his hands dirty, driving defensive ends away from the play and springing his running back open on a play or two. All scouts need to see is that he’s willing to do the work to improve. He’s already a menace with the ball in his hand, he high points balls and snatches them out of the air. I kept an eye on him all week after Zach pointed him out to me, and I agree, he’s going to surprise some people come April.
Most Likely to Improve Competition at His Position Group: RB Evan Hull – They could’ve given Hull the Senior Bowl MVP for his performance in the game on Saturday and the way he showed up all week long, and I wouldn’t have batted an eye to it. You may put him in the ‘utility back’ box, but I’m telling you, this man navigates traffic and runs with conviction in addition to his ability to catch the ball and his value on special teams. You put him in your running back room, and he is absolutely going to push the dudes in front of him on the depth chart.
Most Likely to Have You Ready to Run Through a Brick Wall: LB Cam Jones – I came away from Mobile so impressed by Jones for a myriad of reasons – his play diagnosis, his pass rush capability, his coverage skills, the downhill nature with which he ran drills during practice, and his added versatility on special teams. But, what stood out the most was Jones’ ability to rally the troops. It felt like every other play, I noticed he was over hyping up teammates and getting them ready to roll. Jones has the leadership qualities you want in a linebacker.
Most Likely to Actually Run Through a Brick Wall: LB Aubrey Miller Jr. – I mean, he’s built like a fucking tank and hits you like you owe him money. Might as well start calling this guy “the bookie” the way he comes to collect. He was a fun addition to this game, and I can’t wait to see where he ends up because he’s going to push your linebacking room to be better.
Most Likely to Legitimately Break Someone’s Ankles: WR Jonathan Mingo – I tweeted it all week last week. It feels like one step equals two instantaneous yards of separation for the Ole Miss product. It was fun to watch him work defensive backs last week.
Most Likely to Flip Over a Car with His Bare Hands: OT Dawand Jones – Apparently, Jones might’ve been having some health issues causing him to back out of the Senior Bowl after the first day of practice. Hope that’s all sorted out for the young man because he was punishing in run blocking drills, and made it look completely effortless to put someone in the dirt. He is a mammoth mountain of a man, and I 100% believe he could simply flip over a car with nothing but his own two hands if he wanted to.
All Senior Bowl content is sponsored by Lyons Ford. They’re not your typical dealership! They will always give you every discount you qualify for, and give you you the most bang for your buck for your trade-in vehicle. You won’t regret doing business with them. Reach out to Zach on Twitter if you’re looking at getting a new or used vehicle.
MORE SENIOR BOWL 2023 CONTENT
- 2022 Showed Us Why The Senior Bowl Is So Important In Evaluating Offensive Linemen
- Camerun Peoples Is Making The Most Out Of His Senior Bowl Opportunity
- Cody Mauch Switching To Guard Ought To Have Him Moving Up Big Boards
- How Technique Factors Into Senior Bowl Week Practice
- My Super Official Senior Bowl “Got That Dawg In Him” List
- Patreon: 10 Guys From The Senior Bowl That I Want For The Titans
- Patreon: My Current 2023 NFL Draft Big Board
- Podcast: A Football Show LIVE from the Hancock Whitney Stadium parking lot
- Podcast: Reviewing Senior Bowl Day 1 on Football and Other F Words
- Podcast: Senior Bowl Mock Draft for the Titans on The Unofficial Titans Podcast
- Podcast: What Matters and What Doesn’t at the Senior Bowl (A Football Show)
- Players I’m Most Excited To Watch At The 2023 Senior Bowl
- Senior Bowl: Dudes To Put On Your Radar
- There’s A Ton Of Promise In This Year’s Senior Bowl Running Back Group
- Titans: Right Guard Prospects To Watch In Today’s Senior Bowl
- Tulane RB Tyjae Spears Is A Player To Watch At This Week’s Senior Bowl
- Tyler Steen Put All-Around Skillset On Display At Senior Bowl Day 1
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.
Subscribe to the SoBros Network Patreon here – $5/month gets you instant access to an exhaustive content library of articles, podcasts, and videos created exclusively for our subscribers!
