Preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft has already begun, especially for those participating in the Reese's Senior Bowl this week. After three days of practice, the game is finally here.
Here are some of the top storylines from Mobile:
How to watch and what to know
Date:Saturday, Feb. 3 |Time:1 p.m. ET
Location:Hanco*ck Whitney Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
TV:NFLNetwork|Stream:fuboTV (try for free)
A year ago, the annual college football showcase pitting NFL hopefuls featured over 100 prospects who were drafted from the game. A week of practices and interviews leading up to the game draw over 900 NFL personnel from all 32 teams.
Underclassmen welcome
The Reese's Senior Bowl has always accepted juniors who met graduation requirements but the game is now an option for all underclassmen prospects who have declared for the NFL Draft regardless of whether or not they have completed degree requirements.
There are roughly a dozen junior prospects that have been invited and accepted an invitation to the 2024 NFL Draft, including Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker, Miami safety Kamren Kinchens and BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia. Murphy is CBSSports.com's highest rated junior participant.
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Top prospects in this year's game
UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu is CBSSports.com's top rated prospect in this week's game. After registering 10+ sacks for the second consecutive season, Latu arrives in Mobile as a potential Top-10 overall selection. Other prospects ranked in the Top-50 overall include:
- Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga
- Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell
- Penn State cornerback Kalen King
- Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw
- Missouri cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine
- Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul
- Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II
- Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
- Oregon quarterback Bo Nix
- Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu
- Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton
- Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton
- Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr.
- TCU cornerback Josh Newton
Several others are on the fringe of such recognition and could use this week in Alabama to boost their stock.
Want more draft coverage? You can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on"With the First Pick"-- our year-roundNFL Draftpodcast withNFL Draftanalyst Ryan Wilson and formerVikingsgeneral manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts,Spotify,YouTube, etc. Listen to the latest episode below!
Quarterbacks on the move?
Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix will square off for the third time this season. While the in-season meetings determined who would represent the Pac-12 in the College Football Playoff, there is more on the line for each quarterback personally this week. USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels, in no particular order, are considered the top quarterback prospects in this year's draft. Then, there is a trio of others (Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, Penix and Nix) jockeying for that fourth spot, which could equate to a first-round selection or bleed over into Day 2 of the NFL Draft. It is a valuable week for talent evaluators in the quarterback market granted the opportunity to scout the arms of Nix and Penix next to each other this week.
South Carolina's Spencer Rattler and Tulane's Michael Pratt have thrust themselves into that potential Day 2 conversation as well.
Potential risers
Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker is one of the juniors participating this week. He has desirable length and size, plus the flexibility to become a difference maker rushing the passer. The Minnesota transfer had eight sacks for the Jayhawks this season.
Alabama defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe was on track to become another one of those Crimson Tide interior defenders to be taken on Day 2, like Christian Barmore, Phidarian Mathis, Byron Young and Raekwon Davis. Eboigbe has remarkable strength and does a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage.
Many covering the NFL Draft may have been unfamiliar with Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace because he is one of those juniors that was not expected to declare. He looks like an NFL linebacker and will test well, but he is raw. Teams in need of help at the position may be open to buying stock low given that it is relatively weak linebacker class and with the understanding that his best football could still be ahead of him.
Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley is not sneaking up on anyone. He is much more likely to fly by in a blur. Over the past two years, he has registered 9.2 yards after the catch per reception, according to TruMedia. The Hilltoppers primarily used the him at or near the line of scrimmage but Corley is hoping to show that he can be a threat vertically as well.
Washington State's Jaden Hicks is a bigger safety who consistently stuffs the stat sheet. As NFL defenses attempt to be more multiple in order to defend more personnel fluid offenses, Hicks is a player that is capable of fulfilling multiple roles in coverage and down in the box.
Small school standouts
There are 22 non-Power 5 prospects slated to take part in this week's festivities, but there are four less heralded than the others: Houston Christian pass rusher Jalyx Hunt, New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube, Virginia State cornerback Willie Drew and Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Ryan Flournoy.
Drew may be the first taken among that group, but few players have been as productive over the past two years as Laube, who has 3,083 combined rushing and receiving yards.
Of note, Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey is the younger brother of Super Bowl bound running back Christian McCaffrey and the son of former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey. The Owl had 71 receptions for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
Who is coaching the American and National teams?
For the second consecutive year, the Reese's Senior Bowl is using a format called 'Coach Up' where coaches are elevated one rung higher on the ladder than their current position. For example, a defensive backs coach will get the opportunity to serve as defensive coordinator. It is an effort for those coaches to gain experience in new roles. Previously, the full coaching staffs of the teams with the worst records that did not get fired would coach the game.
Here are the coordinators and head coaches for each squad:
American
- Head Coach -Tennessee Titans assistant head coach/defensive line coach Terrell Williams
- Offensive Coordinator - New England Patriots wide receivers coach Troy Brown
- Defensive Coordinator - Cleveland Browns defensive backs coach Ephraim Banda
- Special Teams Coordinator - New York Giants assistant special teams coach Mike Adams
National
- Head Coach -New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich
- Offensive Coordinator - New York Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney
- Defensive Coordinator - Minnesota Vikings pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Daronte Jones
- Special Teams Coordinator - New Orleans Saints assistant special teams coach Phil Galiano
The 2024NFL Draftwill take place from April 25-27 in Detroit. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weeklyupdated draft order,mock draftsand a regularly availablelook at the eligible prospects.
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Reese's Senior Bowl 2024 NFL Draft Preparation
The Reese's Senior Bowl is a crucial event in the lead-up to the NFL Draft, providing an opportunity for college football players to showcase their skills and potential to NFL personnel. Here are the key concepts and information related to the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl and the upcoming NFL Draft:
Date and Time: The game is scheduled for Saturday, February 3, at 1 p.m. ET, and it will take place at Hanco*ck Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
TV and Streaming: The game will be televised on NFL Network, and it can also be streamed on fuboTV.
Participation of Underclassmen: The Reese's Senior Bowl has expanded its eligibility criteria to include underclassmen prospects who have declared for the NFL Draft, regardless of whether they have completed degree requirements. This year, roughly a dozen junior prospects have been invited and accepted invitations to the 2024 NFL Draft, including notable players such as Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, and others [[1]].
Top Prospects: Several top prospects are participating in this year's game, including UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu, Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, and others. These players are highly rated and are expected to draw significant attention from NFL scouts and evaluators [[2]].
Quarterbacks: The quarterback position is a focal point of attention, with players like Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, Caleb Williams, and others vying for top spots in the draft. The Senior Bowl provides a valuable opportunity for talent evaluators to scout and compare these quarterbacks in a competitive setting [[3]].
Potential Risers: Players such as Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker, Alabama defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe, Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace, and others are seen as potential risers whose performances in the Senior Bowl could significantly impact their draft stock [[4]].
Small School Standouts: The Senior Bowl also features non-Power 5 prospects, including Houston Christian pass rusher Jalyx Hunt, New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube, and others. These players have the opportunity to showcase their skills and make an impression on NFL teams [[5]].
Coaching Format: The Senior Bowl is using a 'Coach Up' format, where coaches are elevated to higher roles than their current positions, allowing them to gain experience in new roles. The coaching staffs for the American and National teams include notable NFL coaches from various teams [[6]].
2024 NFL Draft: The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 25-27 in Detroit. CBSSports.com provides comprehensive draft coverage, including updated draft orders, mock drafts, and analysis of eligible prospects [[7]].
I hope this overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and information related to the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl and the upcoming NFL Draft. If you have any specific questions or would like to delve deeper into any of these topics, feel free to ask!
