Mason's Senior Bowl practice stand-outs
These 19 players from both Senior Bowl teams stood out during the week of practice. (Captions by Andrew Mason)
Rutgers edge rusher Kemoko Turay was a persistent thorn in the sides of North Team offensive tackles throughout the week, displaying a potent blend of speed and multiple pass-rush moves that allowed him to consistently disrupt the quarterbacks' timing.
Auburn ILB Tre' Williams had the hit of the week during Tuesday's practice, delivering a jarring shot on fellow South team running back Rashaad Penny that elected a loud chorus of "oohs" from the the scouts, coaches and personnel executives in the stands at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Wyoming QB Josh Allen showed the raw arm talent that makes him a virtual lock to go in the first round -- and could place him at the top of the draft class entirely. Allen's best day came Thursday, with some of his best work coming during the red-zone team and seven-on-seven periods. His quick delivery and velocity allowed his passes to reach receivers before defenders could adequately react, leading to multiple touchdowns -- including one to Boise State's Cedrick Wilson that saw Allen's pass whistle past three defenders.
Missouri WR J'Mon Moore of the South team was one of the stars of one-on-one work throughout the week. During Wednesday's practice, he sprinted past cornerbacks for a pair of deep touchdown receptions. His explosiveness and ability to stretch the field could make him a Day 2 pick. He capped his practice week with a 30-yard reception on a post route during a two-minute drill period Thursday.
One of the plays I liked from North Carolina State's B.J. Hill came during a red-zone period Thursday. Hill moved to his right and occupied two North Team offensive linemen, setting up Purdue ILB Ja'Whaun Bentley to sprint through the line unblocked to stop Arizona State RB Kalen Ballage.
Colorado State WR Michael Gallup was the first receiver to get on the same page with Baker Mayfield during the Tuesday North Team practice, catching a 30-yard pass down the left seam during the team period. He continued his solid work throughout the week, grabbing a pair of deep passes from Josh Allen in one-on-one repetitions Wednesday.
UTEP guard Will Hernandez was a matchup nightmare for North interior defensive linemen. Standouts such as N.C. State's B.J. Hill and Fort Hays State's Nathan Shepherd won most of their one-on-one battles against other linemen, but they found the going rougher against Hernandez. He got the better of Shepherd during a one-on-one drill by taking advantage of Shepherd's move to Hernandez's outside shoulder. Hernandez used Shepherd's momentum to push him well behind and outside the pocket.
Iowa RB Akrum Wadley got stronger as the week progressed, and he made perhaps his best play on a screen pass during Thursday's work, turning a modest toss into a big play with a blend of open-field vision and quick acceleration.
Notre Dame TE Durham Smythe showed good athleticism throughout the week, particularly on Thursday, with one spectacular catch early in practice and a touchdown grab from Josh Allen during a red-zone period.
TCU offensive tackle Joe Noteboom did a good job in his one-on-one battles with UTSA edge rusher Marcus Davenport, holding his ground effectively and forcing Davenport away from the pocket. He does a solid job using a pass rusher's speed against him, by making sure the edge rushers' momentum carries him wide and behind the quarterback.
Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta's decision-making was the best of the four South team quarterbacks throughout the week. Lauletta worked in a variety of offensive schemes in college, which allowed him to look as comfortable dropping back from under center as he did executing a run-pass option out of the shotgun, which he did during a red-zone period Wednesday for a touchdown run.
Penn State WR DaeSean Hamilton has plenty of experience in the slot, but he showed the speed and reach necessary to work outside during a strong week of practice. One of his best routes came in a one-on-one red-zone drill Thursday, when he froze South Carolina cornerback JaMarcus King with a stop-and-go, giving him separation as he got into the end zone.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield settled down after a skittish opening two periods Tuesday and was the most-consistent quarterback on either team. Mayfield showed the savvy that was evident on film from his Oklahoma career, using his eyes to look off safeties and create open receivers downfield. His anticipation was also terrific, as he did a good job releasing the football before his receiver's break, ensuring the defender in coverage could not react quickly enough to prevent the completion.
A product of Falcon High School in Colorado, Arizona State running back Kalen Ballage has been arguably the best running back on the field this week, particularly operating in space catching passes out of the backfield. He also showed good persistence running between the tackles, while flashing enough speed to get to the corner and create big plays to the outside. Ballage was the most-complete running back on either team this week.
Virginia DL Andrew Brown was perhaps the strongest interior run defender during this week's practices. Playing for the South team, he consistently established leverage against opposing linemen and was effective at keeping his balance as he worked inside a shoulder to force runners to the outside. He posted one tackle for loss in a goal-line period Wednesday.
LSU WR D.J. Chark maximized his long, wiry frame, particularly in the red zone. He caught one touchdown pass during Thursday's work by simply out-leaping a defender on a fade route. Few receivers could have gotten to the pass, but Chark did.
While Washington was a star for the South team, Kansas State WR Byron Pringle was identified by South teammate M.J. Stewart (CB, North Carolina) as the toughest wide receiver he'd had to cover this week. "He's tough and quick at the line," Stewart said. He made one reception possible during a one-on-one drill Thursday with a sharp stop to his route, forcing the cornerback out of position. That allowed Pringle to easily turn back for the reception near the left sideline.
Oklahoma State WR James Washington looked like the complete package this week, displaying good hands, smooth acceleration and the ability to adjust his position to the ball in flight. Washington might have cemented his first-round status this week.
USC edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu was one of the best pass rushers throughout the week, consistently generating pressure in one-on-one and team periods. But Nwosu also made some plays during one-on-one coverage drills, including an acrobatic deflection of a pass during Thursday's practice.
