SENIOR BOWL A BIG OPPORTUNITY
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala. NFL Network
Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys
Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars
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South coach:
most impressive prospect at the Senior Bowl at 6-9 and 275 pounds. But he’ll be looking for more consistent play, something he struggled with at Baylor.
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky: Once a blue-chip prospect at Ohio State, Spence was dismissed from the program because of drug-related issues. Spence resurfaced at Eastern Kentucky in 2015, and he had 221⁄ tackles for losses and 111⁄ sacks. He has first-round talent but will need to assure teams his off-the-field issues are in the past.
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State: One of four Football Bowl Subdivision players in history to throw for 9,000 yards and rush for 2,500, Prescott would like to show NFL teams he has Russell Wilson-like traits. Scouts will be examining how Prescott adjusts to being a pocket passer in a prostyle offense instead of the spread option he ran in college.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma: At 5-10, Shepard is labeled as undersized by many, but last year a receiver with similar measurables, Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett, used the Senior Bowl to bounce his stock up into the third round en route to an exciting rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks. Also known for his quickness and playmaking ability, Shepard could see his stock take on a similar upward trend.
Reggie Ragland, OLB, Alabama: The ringleader of Alabama’s championship defense, Ragland will be looking to follow in the footsteps of former Crimson Tide linebackers C.J Mosley and Dont’a Hightower, who have gone on to star in the NFL. Ragland has an opportunity in Mobile to make a serious push up draft boards with fellow middle linebacker prospects Jaylon Smith and Myles Jack recovering from injuries.
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State: A former walk-on who had only two career sacks before the season, Nassib came out of nowhere to lead the nation with 151⁄ sacks. Nassib has the size and length NFL teams desire at 6-7. If he can prove his breakout senior season wasn’t a fluke, he could put himself in early-second-round consideration.
Jake Coker, QB, Alabama: Though it was a roller-coaster season for the Alabama quarterback, he is riding high after helping lead the Tide to the College Football Playoff championship. Coker needs a lot of development to become an NFL quarterback, but he has requisite size (6-5, 232 pounds) and arm strength. He is also from Mobile.
Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford: As the Cardinal’s starter for the better part of four seasons, Hogan is the most experienced quarterback in the draft. He threw for career highs in touchdowns (27), yards (2,867) and yards per attempt (9.4) last season. If he can keep that momentum going in Mobile, he has a chance to be a second- or third-round pick.
William Jackson III, CB, Houston: Perhaps one of the most underappreciated players in the country last year, Jackson was a big part of Houston’s 13-1 season as he led the nation with 28 passes defended. With his prototypical height at 6-1 and impressive ball skills, he could open a lot of eyes this week.
Jeremy Cash, S, Duke: Playing a hybrid linebacker-safety role in which he lined up close to the line of scrimmage, Cash tallied 38 tackles for losses over the past three seasons. Established as a tremendous run supporter, Cash will look to show he has the coverage skills to play in the NFL.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers; Jarran Reed, DE, Alabama; Jacoby Brissett, QB, North Carolina State; Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech; Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame; Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama; Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State; Cyrus Jones, DB, Alabama; Jalen Mills, DB, LSU; Joshua Perry, OLB Ohio State; Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana; Eric Striker, OLB, Oklahoma; Darian Thompson, S, Boise State.
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