2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl: National Team Game Notes
The 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl is finally here. After a revealing three days of practice, the game hopefully will uncover more useful information as we gear up for the 2024 NFL Draft. Let’s do this thing and go over the quick hitters you need to know.
It’s amazing how poorly these events are run. I still can’t find one a day later. Even going to the actual website itself they have NOTHING. I’m going to do the best I can. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that coaching plays a huge role in these games. The National Team won 16-7 and was quarterbacked by Sam Hartman. I managed to find the Notre Dame quarterback’s numbers. Hartman was 7-25 for 69 yards and a pick and still one the game. I mentioned it all week. Jeff Ulbrich ran a way better practice so it’s no surprise he still found a way to win the game. Don’t undersell coaching in these All-Star formats.
Quarterbacks:
Not going to lie, everything I saw from Bo Nix this week terrifies me. Is he a real quarterback or are you constantly going to have to boot him out and create fake magic tricks to get him to play well?
Sam Hartman continues to stink. Can’t make a play down the field. The same story over and over. Had a wide open Theo Johnson down the field and totally short-armed it like a girl. Had another open tight end in AJ Barner in the end zone and totally air-mailed it. He’s the oldest player here. Can’t be this bad with all the experience he has.
The interception was inexcusable. WTF is he even looking at?
If checkdowns and designed QB runs didn’t exist he would have never moved the ball. This was almost comically bad to watch. It was getting to the point where I was gagging looking for a bucket to throw up in and I’m not even joking. Sucks, stinks, terrible; use whatever word you want. I’m totally out.
Running Backs:
Do I have any thoughts on the Troy running back Kimani Vidal? I didn’t have much of anything to say during the week. After the game, I still got nothing. With the excess of running backs out there, I need to be a little excited. I’m not here. I don’t see any contact balance created after getting hit.
Dylan Laube isn’t going to make it. You saw him in this game as a pure running back. It’s not good enough. Can actually make some plays in the passing game that we saw during the week. He better be a special teams ace or he shouldn’t even make a roster.
Wide Receivers:
Drop issues were back for Tez Walker. Flea flicker on the first play of the game and he couldn’t finish it. Had another chance on a deep ball by Sam Hartman and couldn’t finish. How high can you pick a guy that can’t complete the process of the catch? Then was given a third opportunity on a deep ball and safety Tykee Smith basically laughed at it and knocked the ball to the ground. He had four drops within the first half…
He also deserves at least some blame on the pick by Hartman. Is he going to fight for the ball at all or is he going to keep short arming everything like a girl? I’m just not impressed. How can you be? Is he going to win a single route? Finished the game with a Tony Snell stat line.
I like Javon Baker. Not slow, decent size at 6-foot-1, and has some verticality to his game. Not grease lightning but has some decent knee bend to work his way getting open.
Luke McCaffrey can play. Returned a punt. Took an end around for a nice gainer. I like the fact that he’s not small. a Solid 6-foot-2 and can run. Nice hands too and can move well.
Tight Ends:
Theo Johnson is never going to blow anybody away. I’m not sure he can make a roster. I guess give him credit for catching the ball and just being there. The tight end groups have been horrible otherwise. Brevyn Spann-Ford made some plays blocking in the run game but I’m pretty convinced at this point that’s all he’s ever going to be good for. He did catch a creative play at the goal line for a touchdown. I just don’t think you’re ever actually involving him in the offense.
Offensive Line:
Kingsley Suamataia. That’s all I’m going to say. Played right tackle and left tackle in this one. Did you hear his name called the whole broadcast? It’s for a good reason. Because nobody beat him.
Defensive Line:
Can we give Braden Fiske some credit? This guy is nuts. First of all, the guy literally changed teams. Practiced all week with the American. Goes to the National just for the game. All he did was make more plays than anybody else at defensive tackle.
Linebackers:
I like JD Bertrand. Tackling machine, tough, and rangy.
Cornerbacks:
Willie Drew was the one who got beat on the Rosemy-Jacksaint touchdown. Not a surprise. Virginia State guy was mostly bad all week. It is Virginia State sooo.
Chau Smith-Wade is a disgusting missed tackle in space on Cody Shrader. Mostly had a terrible week in practice. Corners that can’t cover and can’t tackle? Made up for it later picking off Joe Milton. I still don’t think he’s very good.
Kalen King got some reps against Ladd McConkey. Couldn’t cover the guy to save his life.
Safeties:
Evan Williams was a name that had some moments during the week. Had a nice game. Tackled well and came away with this beautiful pick on a dumb decision by Joe Milton. Give credit to Williams tough. He covered a ton of ground on the pick.
Link to practice reminders for the National Team:
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