2023 Senior Bowl Preview and Watchlist

Senior Bowl 2023: Players to Watch

The 2023 Senior Bowl takes place at the Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. This annual event is where some of the top seniors in the nation can show off their skills to NFL talent evaluators. As a result, some of the NFL’s top players in recent years played in the Senior Bowl. The following list of players will consist of at least one player per position for the National and American team. Some of these players may not be the best at their position, but are worth watching. Now that everything is covered, let’s get into the watchlist.

National Team

Quarterback – Jaren Hall (BYU)

Jaren Hall is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation. When Hall is in the pocket, he is incredibly calm when the pocket is collapsing around him. If he needs to escape the pocket, he has the mobility needed to keep the play alive. Once he gets his feet set, he shows that he has very smooth throwing mechanics. Therefore, he is able to generate loads of torque and quickly hit his man in stride. I am curious to see how he does when he is surrounded by all this talent around him.

Running Back – Roschon Johnson (Texas)

For most of his career at Texas, Johnson had his spotlight taken by Bijan Robinson. However, this should not take away from what he is capable of. He is a bigger back, standing at 6’2” and weighing 223 lbs. However, don’t let that fool you, he is very good at making defenders miss in open field. He is also very light on his feet which allows him to navigate through congested areas. Since he has been a backup for most of his career, this is his chance to prove that he is a star.

Wide Receiver – Ronnie Bell (Michigan)

Ronnie Bell was one of the most instinctual wide receivers in this draft class. While running his route, he does a good job of finding a seam in zone coverage. He also does a good job of realizing when his QB is under pressure and works his way back to them. Bell is also very versatile because he can line up anywhere on the field. But, he also has a very extensive route tree that allows him to be effective everywhere on the field. I am curious to see how Bell and Hall will do together when they are on the field.

Wide Receiver – Trey Palmer (Nebraska)

Trey Palmer is one of the most dangerous deep-threat receivers in the Big Ten. During his 2022 season, he had 71 receptions for 1,043 yards and 9 touchdowns. When watching his film, he showed a natural ability to track deep balls over his shoulder and make the grab. He also has good body control to adjust to balls that are thrown outside his frame. Paired with his incredible grip strength, Palmer plays significantly larger than his frame suggests.

Tight End – Davis Allen (Clemson)

Davis Allen was one of Clemson’s top players during the 2022 season. He is a solid route runner with an extended route tree that allows him to be a playmaker at all levels. On deep balls, Allen does a good job of climbing the ladder to make a grab above his frame. Also, he is also good at finding seams in zone coverage on short to intermediate routes.

Offensive Line – Blake Freeland (BYU)

Blake Freeland is one of the most polished pass blockers in the nation. As I mentioned in my scouting report on Freeland, he has only allowed 2 sacks in 1,418 pass-blocking snaps. Given Freeland’s incredible size, he is very light on his feet. This allows him to quickly get across the line when pull blocking. What stands out the most about Freeland when you watch his film is his aggressiveness. Freeland is often the first one to engage in contact after the snap. This allows him to quickly gain leverage on the defender and keep it throughout the play.

Offensive Line – Cody Mauch (NDSU)

Cody Mauch is one of my favorite prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Prior to writing my report on Mauch, I got to interview Ean Deno the Director of Player Personnel at NDSU. He told me what Cody brings to a team and what kind of person he is off the field. Off the field, he is a very nice guy who enjoys spending time with people around him. However, when he is on the field, he is almost the exact opposite. Mauch is very aggressive from snap to finish in both run and pass-blocking schemes. He always makes it a priority to finish his blocks, which often leads to the defender hitting the deck.

Defensive Line – Karl Brooks (Bowling Green)

Karl Brooks is very talented at stopping the run and rushing the QB. When lined up in a 3-point stance he is incredibly explosive off the snap. This allows him to be the first one to engage in contact and knock the blocker back. One of the big reasons why his draft stock isn’t higher, is because of the competition he played in college. Playing in the Senior Bowl will allow him to prove that he is just as talented.

Defensive Line – Keeanu Benton (Wisconsin)

Keeanu Benton is one of the most gifted pass rushers in the Big Ten. His explosiveness off the snap and ability to use his lower body to bull rush the passer is very impressive. He also shows glimpses of being an effective run-stopper at the next level due to his ability to clog lanes.

Linebacker – Andre Carter II (Army)

Andre Carter II is one of the most interesting linebacker prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. He stands at 6’7″ and weighs 260 lbs. which makes him difficult to contain. Carter II is not only good at rushing the passer, but he is also comfortable in coverage. This is due to the fact that he played wide receiver and tight end in high school. Hopefully, he can put these skills on display in Mobile.

Cornerback – Riley Moss (Iowa)

Riley Moss is a very instinctual player who is very effective in zone coverage. Moss does a good job of keeping his eye on the QB while staying aware of his surroundings. This allows him to get a good jump on the ball when it comes his way. When making a jump on the ball, Moss shows off his ball skills which allow him to make a catch.

Defensive Back – Kyu Blu Kelly (Stanford)

Kyu Blu Kelly was one of my favorite corners to watch this season. He has incredible ball skills that allow him to break up the pass. Kelly is also very aggressive at the catch point. He has quick hips which allow him to stay with the receiver throughout their route.

Defensive Back – JL Skinner (Boise State)

JL Skinner is the best safety prospect in the Senior Bowl this year. What makes him so special is his size and frame. Skinner stands at 6’4″, weighs 220 lbs., and has a 77″ wingspan. He is also very effective in short zone coverage due to his incredible field vision. His vision allows him to read the QB’s eyes and make a play on the ball.

American Team

Quarterback – Tyson Bagent (Shepherd)

Tyson Bagent will be one of the most intriguing players to watch in the Senior Bowl. Since Bagent is a Division II prospect, there are many concerns about his productivity. Believe me when I tell you, he is more than talented enough. He is the ideal size for an NFL QB, standing at 6’3″ and weighing 210 lbs. His athleticism allows him to extend plays and deliver the ball on a dime.

Running Back – Tyjae Spears (Tulane)

Tyjae Spears is the definition of a plug-and-play running back. He does a good job of finding a hole in the offensive line. Then he can quickly take off down the field for a big gain. Spears is also very effective in the passing game. He does a good job of making catches with his hands. After making the grab, he squares up his hips to maximize yards after the catch.

Wide Receiver – Rashee Rice (SMU)

Rashee Rice was one of the most productive receivers in the nation this season. He is a gifted route runner which allows him to quickly stem his route. Rice can then sink his hips and change direction on a dime. When he is lined up against jam coverage, Rice does a good job of fighting through pressure. Once he gets open, he has amazing body control to adjust to throws around his frame.

Wide Receiver – Nathaniel Dell (Houston)

The only receiver that was more productive than Rice in the AAC this season was Nathaniel Dell. This season, Dell had 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns. When Dell gets the ball in open field, he is very difficult to bring down. This is due to his acceleration and elusiveness making him very slippery.

Tight End – Luke Musgrave (Oregon State)

Luke Musgrave may be the most gifted pass catcher at the tight end position. He has incredible hand size and grip strength that allows him to pull in the ball outside of his frame. Musgrave is also very aggressive at the catch point. This allows him to make contested catches all around the field.

Offensive Line – O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida)

O’Cyrus Torrence is a dominant run-blocking guard. He has incredible play strength that allows him to force defenders off balance. His understanding of blocking angles is also very impressive. On inside zone runs, he does a good job of double-teaming defenders to open up a lane. Torrence also has a very strong anchor which allows him to stall bull rushers. I am excited to see how he does against some elite-level defensive tackles.

Offensive Line – John Michael Schmitz (Minnesota)

John Michael Schmitz’s biggest strength is his consistency. According to my co-worker Brandon, he doesn’t make many mistakes. Regardless of the play call, he rarely gets beaten off the snap. Schmitz is also good at diagnosing the defense pre-snap. This allows him to know how to attack the defense after to the snap.

Defensive Line – Isaiah McGuire (Missouri)

If you know me, you know that I could not leave Isaiah McGuire off this list. McGuire has very active hands throughout his pass rush. This allows him to fight off the opposing lineman’s hands. It also allows him to place his hands high and tight on their breastplate. McGuire also has violent hands that allow him to disengage and clog run lanes.

Defensive Line – Dylan Horton (TCU)

Dylan Horton has a great motor. He uses his athleticism to make plays all over the field and rarely gives up on the play. Horton is also a freakish athlete at the defensive end position. Since arriving at TCU, he put on 79 lbs. and went from safety to defensive end. Making the transition from safety made him really versatile and dangerous all around the field.

Linebacker – Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama)

Henry To’oTo’o is very natural in zone coverage over the middle. He has good foot speed which allows him to quickly work toward his zone. His awareness allows him to keep his eye on the ball throughout the play. This allows him to get a good jump on the ball if it is thrown his way. To’oTo’o is also a natural box defender who can stop the run at the line.

Cornerback – Rejzohn Wright (Oregon State)

Rejzohn Wright is very gifted in coverage. In man coverage, he does a good job of staying in the receiver’s hip pocket. This puts him in great position to break up the pass. According to fellow DraftDive Analyst Ken, he is quick to make the right decisions in zone coverage. He also seems to have good play recognition. This allows him to anticipate the throw and make a play on the ball.

Defensive Back – Christopher Smith II (Georgia)

Christopher Smith is one of my favorite safeties in the NFL Draft. He is very good in deep zone coverage. When backpedaling to his zone, he does a good job of watching the offense develop. Then, when he sees the QB release the ball, he gets a good jump on the ball. Smith also has incredible ball skills that allow him to make contested catches.

Defensive Back – Jammie Robinson (Florida State)

Jammie Robinson is one of the most versatile safeties in the nation. He has lined up in almost every position for the Seminoles. Throughout his career, he has been effective regardless of where he lined up. He shows incredible patience against the run which allows him to get in the right spot to make a stop.

2023 Senior Bowl Watchlist Analyst – Matthew Lewis