2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl: American Team Day 2 Practice Notes
We’re back with the second day of practices at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. If you missed the first day of the American Team, check out the link right here. Let’s get right down to business on everything you need to know for the second day at Mobile.
*This practice was run way worse than the first group. They were running receivers and running back routes at the same time looking like they were going to run into each other. Way less intensity too.
Quarterbacks:
I don’t know who needs to hear this but Joe Milton is the best and most talented quarterback here. I thought he did a much better job here putting touch on the ball compared to during the season. We know the rocket launcher is real but he’s doing a good job putting the right touch on it. I’m very encouraged by what I’m seeing. He’s the best QB here out of both groups and it’s not close.
Spencer Rattler is a mess. When everything is perfect for him he can do it. Off rhythm, you’re either getting good or very bad. Definitely has nice zip to his ball. It’s completely aggravating that he just takes off and runs during a passing drill when people are open.
Michael Pratt = JAG.
Carter Bradley may as well be sent home. Just like the running back Isaiah Davis in the other group. Doesn’t totally suck but doesn’t have any talent.
Running Backs:
Cody Schrader looks like Peyton Hillis except smaller.
Is Ray Davis more than a bruiser? He’s tough and the hands were shown off in this one. He’s definitely tough too.
Daijun Edwards made some plays in the passing game. Showed off nice hands. Taz is going to make a roster and be impactful. If he sees it and makes the right cut, he’s dangerous and nobody really wants to tackle the guy. Caught the ball very well and wasn’t slow to react. Catch and go.
TCU’s Emani Bailey looks way more comfortable catching the ball than he does being an in-line runner. Definitely jittery but in a good way. Think he can help you as a third down back catching balls while being creative in the run game.
Wide Receivers:
Ainias Smith continues to struggle. It’s so disappointing because I thought he was a bit of a lightning rod. Instead of a gadget guy he looks like a broken toy. Can’t get open. Not as fast as I thought. Just not making any plays.
Johnny Wilson really concerns me. It’s a total lie that he gets off the ball well. He doesn’t. You might want to think about turning him into a big F tight end. Use him as a chess piece.
Much better day for Xavier Legette. He actually caught a ball which is an improvement. Still not separating but at least is making plays with the ball in the air. Yesterday he was totally lost so today was a really good sign.
Jamari Thrash can play. Slippery with quick feet. Definitely can run routes and get open. Not the best hands in the world though.
I don’t care what Ladd McConkey does the rest of the week. He was so good yesterday that I’m in. Wasn’t quite as good today. Had a stumble early in the day and later got stood up in press. It is what it is. His route running and technique that we’ve seen on the field is more than enough.
Jha’Quan Jackson made some plays down the field. Skinny but can run. A real football player too. Not just a fast guy.
Tight Ends:
Jaheim Bell has some shaky hands. I think that might be his biggest concern. Honestly, I think he’s probably a high end full back.
Offensive Line:
I’m buying into Tyler Guyton more and more. For 6-foot-7 he moves really well and can bend. Strong enough. Not overly powerful. Sometimes lets defenders get into his chest. Overall really good. Needs to hit the gym but should be viewed as a lump of clay that has a chance to be really good. Ole Miss went right by him too on the inside lined up at left tackle. Athletic traits are real.
Also a big fan of Javon Foster. Really strong with a nice base. A lot of SEC experience playing against high level competition. Not an accident he looked the part. Had a rep where he got beat at the start and anchored well to recover.
Javion Cohen is terrible. I don’t know what he does well. Isn’t strong. Not tough. Lacks explosion. You can see he gets frustrated.
Another good day for Layton Robinson. Monster arms and locks his guys away.
Maryland tackle needs to hit the weight room or he’s got no chance.
High on the Texas tackle Christian Jones. Constantly in control. Nice knee bend. Needs to get stronger though. Something to work with with room to improve.
Kinda like Christian Haynes from UConn. Stands his ground. Good hand work. Stays in control and in front of the defender. Did a nice job on Eboigbe too. Strong and just collecting wins in reps. Guy had a really good day. Beat LSU in a rep, got his helmet ripped off, and thrown at him. Guy never flinched. Thick lower half too.
Really bad knee bend on LSU’s Charles Turner. Can’t bend or anchor at all. Not a good sign.
Not a fan of Patrick Paul. Skittish before the whistle. Too tall and upright. Needs more power. Let’s guys get into his chest. Just not good.
Beaux Limmer overall solid day. Not as good as the Oregon center but impressive showing for the most part. Probably looked the best going against the monster Sweat.
Defensive Line:
Chris Braswell was productive at Alabama but I’m still waiting to see his pass rush arsenal. I’m not sure he has one. If he doesn’t win at start it doesn’t happen. Got stood upright trying to rush. Hasn’t been impressive at all. It’s nice to have a good fastball. I need more.
Jordan Jefferson is talented but that play where he ripped the helmet off for losing a rep was insanely stupid. Was good otherwise.
T’Vondre Sweat is a load. You can’t move him. They’re double teaming the guy and he’s just sitting there taking it. I want him on my team. He’s like a Grand Theft Auto tank bulldozing people. I gotta have him. Yes, fat but a people mover and not unathletic.
Braden Fiske is moving up the list. He’s got Kyle Williams vibes. Short but uses leverage well. Low to the ground and causes havoc. That’s a guy that uses his smarts. Knows angles and wins. Not slow off the ball and prepared before the snap. He’s got an art to his craft.
Justin Eboigbe got some momentum going today. Nice hand work. He can play. Just not going to blow you away.
Not a fan of Jean Baptise. Small. Doesn’t create havoc. It is what it is.
Darius Robinson is a baller. One of the few to beat Guyton. Explosive but in control. Good swim move to beat Oklahoma. Constantly moves his feet and wins in multiple ways. He’s inside, outside, ripping, swimming, just good. I mean damn good.
Does UConn have good players? I don’t know what was going on but Eric Watts had one of the few reps to beat Texas and knocked him down to the ground.
McKinley Jackson has something to him too. More work to figure out what he is but overall good. Not weak and needs to be more in control but has talent.
Linebackers:
I got nothing.
Cornerbacks:
Another good day for Missouri’s Kris Abrams-Draine. Really quick feet. Looks like he will be an ace in the slot and battles his ass off. At some point, it’s not an accident Mizzou won a bunch of games. They have talent.
Safeties:
Some clarity on the Auburn guys from yesterday. Jaylin Simpson looks really good just moving in space. Much better in zone. Asking him to press and stay in man it’s just not going to go well. Might have a future as a free safety.
Better day for Javon Bullard. Covering Smith and locked him down. Later went up against Ryan Flournoy and beat him up. Just a much better job sticking to receivers. Not sure he’s overly fast. If he loses the get off I didn’t see him recover well. Happened once on a loss to Wilson. Blew up a run play in team drill. Going to play the box well.
Tykee Smith did a lot of running around and chasing people. Still waiting for those ball skills we saw all year to shine through.
It’s important to note that shining in one-on-one as a safety is hard. Both looked more settled in on team drills. I’m in on both.
Kamren Kichens is starting to really impress me. For a safety, he covers well. Doesn’t look slow or weak either while battling.
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