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It's almost time for the Senior Bowl, the annual all-star game that features the top seniors in college football.
While this event isn't necessarily a who's who of NFL Draft prospects since only seniors are eligible to compete, it still features several players who will make an NFL impact. For example, last year's game featured Puka Nacua, Jayden Reed, and Tank Dell.
Below are the top players that NFL fans should be watching in the 2024 Senior Bowl.
Quarterback
Bo Nix - Oregon
Bo Nix is coming off of a huge 2023 season for the Ducks, throwing 45 touchdowns to just three interceptions while completing 77.4% of his throws. His accuracy makes him a candidate to be drafted in the first round.
Michael Penix Jr. - Washington
Injury concerns abound with Michael Penix Jr., but there's no denying how good Penix has been over the past two seasons at Washington, throwing for 9,544 yards in his 28 games with the Huskies.
Joe Milton III - Tennessee
Joe Milton III had a strong season for Tennessee, throwing for 20 touchdowns and rushing for seven, both career highs. He's got a big arm, but can he refine it to make tight throws in the NFL?
Sam Hartman - Notre Dame
After strong 2021 and 2022 seasons at Wake Forest, Sam Hartman transferred to Notre Dame. That...didn't go well, as Hartman threw for just 2,689 yards, though he did complete 63.5% of his pass attempts, a career-high. Can Hartman get back on track and be a serviceable NFL player?
Spencer Rattler - South Carolina
Spencer Rattler's stock has dropped from where it was when he took over the Oklahoma job in 2020, but after a solid 2023 season at South Carolina, he has a chance to be a mid-round draft pick.
Running Back
Marshawn Lloyd - USC
Marshawn Lloyd's an explosive back who averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season for the Trojans, but he hasn't shown much in the passing game. Can he become a more versatile player at the next level?
Cody Schrader - Missouri
Cody Schrader is a tough runner between the tackles. He's not going to run away from a defense, but in the right scheme, he could grind out some yards and help the short-run game.
Ray Davis - Kentucky
Kentucky's Ray Davis is another hard-nosed runner, though he also adds appeal as a pass catcher. Not the fastest guy in the world, but he can get what the defense gives him and can avoid contact well.
Dylan Laube - New Hampshire
The 5-foot-10 back out of New Hampshire has a chance to make a sizable impact as a receiver out of the backfield. He doesn't have the frame or the college profile to be an early-down back in the NFL, but stranger things have happened. Worst case, he can make an impact on special teams as a return man.
Wide Receiver
Xavier Legette - South Carolina
Xavier Legette barely saw the field for four years at South Carolina before a breakout in 2023. Of his 1,678 career receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, 1,255 of the yards and seven of the touchdowns happened this season. He looked like a well-rounded wideout who could be an NFL team's No. 2 guy, but that one-year sample size is concerning. Can he keep up the momentum?
Ainias Smith - Texas A&M
Ainias Smith is probably a bit of a gadget player at the next level, someone who can do fun things when he touches the ball but who won't see a ton of volume. He spent time at running back earlier in his A&M career and just had his best receiving season, catching 53 passes for 795 yards.
Malachi Corley - Western Kentucky
Scheme factors in here, since the Hilltoppers throw the ball a ton, but you can't deny that Malachi Corley is talented, as he's caught 22 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He's a bit undersized but can make big plays in space. Give him the ball and watch him work.
Jacob Cowing - Arizona
Jacob Cowing is a smart route runner who can find the seam and make plays out of the slot. Has to improve at playing through contact, but he can be a high-level NFL slot guy if he gets a chance.
Roman Wilson - Michigan
Roman Wilson is an experienced wideout with reliable hands who brings a lot of speed to the field. He doesn't produce a ton of YAC, but he can be a solid possession guy at the NFL level.
Ricky Pearsall - Florida
Ricky Pearsall's not the world's quickest guy, but he's a reliable body at receiver who can make plays and has the strength to make contested catches, especially in the short passing game.
Tight End
Ben Sinnott - Kansas State
While Ben Sinnott isn't the most athletic tight end in this draft class, his versatility and blocking ability should earn him snaps at the NFL level. Sinnott might not ever be a big-play guy, but he can make tough catches in the red zone.
Jaheim Bell - Florida State
Jaheim Bell is an explosive player who can line up all over the place. He might not be the best blocker at the tight end position, but he's someone whose athleticism makes him a breakout candidate if he lands in the right place.
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