2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl: National Team Day 3 Practice Notes
The third and final day of the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl practices are in the books. The National team wraps up their practices. No need to waste any more time. Let’s get right to it.
Quarterbacks:
Bo Nix looks better in the red area when you boot him out. It’s good and bad. Better day today but is he really that gimmicky? Just looks so much more comfortable in that RPO set up. Anytime he hangs in the pocket he does this fadeaway cheese and it creates ineffective throws.
End of practice today was his best stretch. Just firing darts in the end zone turning it loose with zip on the ball. 7 on 7 was his best period. Is that an accident or is he a different guy with traffic? A lot of guys are but the special ones make plays with traffic. Is the DL really affecting him that much? What if his line wasn’t as good at Oregon?
Sam Hartman is a check-down machine. Can execute the offense but can’t make any plays down the field. Missed a wide open touchdown to Theo Johnson and just totally dirted it. Beyond concerning that he can’t make a play down the field. If it’s not given to him he’s not giving you the extra play. He’s not good.
I just can’t get over the ball placement for Michael Penix. There are times he can make throws off balance but too many times the ball just isn’t where it needs to be. I’m just telling you it’s going to be a problem at the NFL level. Not when things move that fast. Penix is the best quarterback in this group but it’s almost because of default.
Running Backs:
I don’t like Dylan Laube but give him this. He doesn’t look totally lost running routes. Doesn’t look slow either in space running. Have to give him credit for his work as a receiver.
Marshawn Lloyd actually has some short area quickness running routes. I question his hands. Had a bad drop today after a good shake and bake to get open. It was mostly one drop. I still don’t know how good he is but has prototypical size and moves better than he should. Hard one. Not overly excited but doesn’t suck either.
Just going to leave this here.
Wide Receivers:
Brendan Rice can play. Continues to show the physicality. There is an art to his game. He gets stuck short area sometimes but if he’s in rhythm in the route he can create space in his own way. I’m in here. I like the hands. He can fight through contact. Physical, physical, physical. The size helps too.
Tez Walker is easily the hardest eval at the receiver. Good speed but needs to refine the route running. Dropped everything yesterday. Hands were better today but not by much. Still doesn’t attack the ball in the air and did drop a few. Maybe yesterday was just a rough day. How high can you take a guy that doesn’t catch the ball? Only had three drops during the actual season but can’t buy one here.
Malachi Corley has some power to him. I’m not sure what he is but he’s catching what’s thrown his way.
How about Javon Baker? Looks skinny but he’s fast and high points really well.
Roman Wilson and Ricky Pearsall left Mobile. Did not practice today.
Jacob Cowing got hurt and was helped off. Wasn’t a fan but looked better today. Small guy who performed well in the slot in space during the red area drills. Just don’t see any ceiling here.
I like Luke McCaffrey. Just going to say it. He can run and catch. You can see the Christian in him. Just smaller and not as powerful. Good athlete. I think he can make it as a slot guy.
Tight Ends:
The Michigan tight end AJ Barner is terrible. Can’t separate or move at all. I have nothing good to say.
Theo Johnson is just a much better version than him. Still slow as dirt but at least has some wiggle to him. He’s at least catching the ball and making plays. He’s in a different class compared to the other tight ends in this group.
Minnesota tight end belongs in the aisle at Home Depot for when people shop for fridges. That’s not a football player. When the ball is in the air he may as well be the Buffalo Wild Wings panic button. Never know what’s going to happen. Can’t make the easy play.
Offensive Line:
LaDarius Henderson left with the trainers during practice. He’s been completely terrible during the week.
No practice for Taliese Fuaga. No problem with it. Guy was a stud during the week.
I’m in on Eguakun from Florida. Looks like a poor man version of Torrence from last year.
Jordan Morgan is fine. Hard time convincing me he’s dominant. The kick slide stuff is all there. I’m just not sure he’s strong or tough.
Defensive Line:
Didn’t see any one-on-one OL vs. DL. If they did it, it was very brief. DeWayne Carter made some plays pushing the pocket in team drills.
Linebackers:
Notre Dame linebackers came to play today. Lot of red zone drills today. Both shined in coverage. I still think Liufau is the better player.
Payton Wilson is still easily the best linebacker here. He’s just way faster than the other linebackers. Movement skills it’s hard to see him fail.
Cornerbacks:
Cam Hart is really good. Not a grease lightning but in control and knows where the ball is.
Kalen King can’t cover anybody. Luke McCaffrey killed him. Tez Walker got him. Below is the clip where McCaffrey beat him. It’s been gross the whole week. I don’t know what it is but it doesn’t feel like he can keep up. If player x makes a move he can’t counter. It’s ugly. Hartman ran for a touchdown and pump-faked him 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. Almost looks drunk with his reaction time.
Khyree Jackson got back on the field today. Looked really good and his length really stood out. Lost some reps and wasn’t perfect but you can see if he gets his hands on you it’s a problem. His length is just hard to ignore. Had an incredible PBU against Walker in team drills. I can’t stress the length enough. Hard completing balls with those tree branches in the way.
Quinyon Mitchell didn’t take any reps today. Don’t see it as a problem based on his performance.
Safeties:
The Oregon safety Evan Williams has something to him. Overall solid work in coverage.
Wrote a bit about Max Melton yesterday. I love what I saw. Certainly can tell he has quickness and speed. In the red zone drills he never panicked and kept good eye level. Good stuff overall.
Don’t love Josh Proctor. Just looks slow. Think he was the only guy that lost a rep to the Minnesota tight end.
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