Allen, Mayfield show skills at Senior Bowl
MOBILE, Ala. — Quarterbacks Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield got to enjoy being teammates for a few days on their way to the NFL.
Both likely first-round draft picks were the headliners for the Senior Bowl all week, divvying practice snaps for the North team leading up to Saturday’s game.
“It’s fun. He’s a fiery competitor,” Wyoming’s Allen said. “We were hyping each other up on the field, and that’s what it’s all about. Coming out here having fun, meeting new guys, being able to compete with the best and progress every day.”
Oklahoma’s Mayfield hasn’t said if he will play in the game.
Regardless, he and Allen got to work through three practices led by Vance Joseph and the Denver Broncos coaching staff with NFL eyes upon them throughout. The Broncos, who draft fifth and are in the market for a quarterback, had wanted Mayfield to be on their team.
The Senior Bowl hasn’t had two quarterbacks selected in the first round of the same draft since Jake Locker and Christian Ponder in
2011. Plus, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph made an appearance in Mobile but couldn’t practice or play because of a foot injury, though
his top target, wide receiver James Washington, is on hand.
Other top QB prospects like UCLA’S Josh Rosen and USC’S Sam Darnold are underclassmen. The other North quarterbacks are Washington State’s Luke Falk and Nebraska’s Tanner Lee.
The South, coached Bill O’brien and the Houston Texans staff, is led by Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert, Western Kentucky’s Mike White, Troy’s Brandon Silvers and Kyle Lauletta of Richmond.
Two Las Vegans — Oregon offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby of Green Valley High School and Texas-el Paso guard Will Hernandez of Chaparral — will play for the North.