The 74th annual Senior Bowl is rapidly approaching. Practices for the all-star game begin in a week,
with over 100 of the top eligible prospects looking to augment their 2023 NFL draft stock in the practice sessions, meeting rooms and interview studios.
I’ll be back in Mobile for my 14th Senior Bowl week. Much of this week is devoted to getting more familiar with the players .
I’ll see during the week and if they might hold some interest for the Detroit Lions in the coming NFL draft.
Here are some scouting first/early impressions of a few Senior Bowl defensive prospects
1. Auburn EDGE Derick Hall Hall is an intriguing athlete at 6-3 and 250 pounds, with a background as a high school track star.
Auburn used him as a stand-up OLB role that echoes Julian Okwara coming out of Notre Dame.
2. Kansas State CB Julius Brents Cornerbacks with his length don’t come along every day.
Brents is listed at 6-foot-4 and certainly looks close to that with his length. At 202 pounds,
he can be physically imposing and will control route released when in press man.
3. Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton Benton earned some notes during the season when I casually tuned into Wisconsin games. Watching him in depth was revelatory.
4. Troy LB Carlton Martial Martial is easy to spot when watching Troy’s defense. Look for the football and soon enough, No. 2 will be right there.
He’s got that kind of inherent gravity to the ball that cannot be taught. Over 500 tackles for the Trojans back up the film with proven production.
5. Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane Williams earned some positive buzz for his performance in the Green Wave’s impressive bowl win over USC
That game highlights Williams, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound off-ball LB, at his best.
6. Jammie Robinson, DB, Florida State I watched four games of Robinson at Florida State and I’m not sure I have an answer to any of those.