By: JC Nevils
As the college football season has ended, it is now time for the All-Star games. We have several games now to showcase potential NFL
talent, including the East-West Shrine Bowl, Hula Bowl, and the
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, just to name a few. Here we take a look at
the premier event of them all in the Senior Bowl and take a look at
who to watch out for on both the American and National teams.
Now we take a look at the National squad.
1. RB MarShawn Lloyd, USC
Originally starting his career at South Carolina, Lloyd
would be riddled with injuries throughout his tenure. Even so, he
still showed glimpses of why he was one of the top RB prospects
out of the high school ranks. Coming into this season, he wound up
transferring to USC being fully healthy and took the job and ran
with it.
He’s not the tallest guy, but he has a nice bulky build along
with great vision and pull-away speed. He would end the season
with 116 carries for 820 yards and nine scores. He is also a threat
out of the backfield receiving. I see him as a mid-round pick if all
goes well.
https://twitter.com/usc_athletics/status/1718781094362022367
2. WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida
The last two years for Florida have been very subpar, to say
the least. There weren’t many bright spots you could point to, but Ricky Pearsall would turn out to be that light. With his silky smooth
route running skills along with strong hands, he certainly showed
why he deserved some recognition. He’s not the fastest guy by any
means, but all he does is get open.
Some pundits are even
comparing him to Cooper Kupp, which is a solid evaluation, in my
opinion. He ended the year with a team-high 65 receptions for 965
yards and six total touchdowns (two rushing). He will be a steal
come draft time.
More Sports News
https://twitter.com/tampabaytre/status/1752370824718200953
3. C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
The First Team All-American is quite simply a unit on the
offensive line. Not only is he bigger than the normal center, but he
uses that size, along with his technique and IQ to dominate his
opponents. He anchored a line that protected Heisman finalist Bo Nix and eventually went on to earn the
Rimington Trophy as the best center in the nation. He will most
certainly be a first-rounder, along with being a plug-and-play player
from the jump.
https://twitter.com/marcus_mosher/status/1752459833490518426
4. DT Tyler Davis, Clemson
Tyler Davis has been a staple in Clemson’s defense ever
since he stepped foot on campus. I guess that’s why he wound up being
a four-time All-ACC player along with a Second Team All-American (2022). While not being the tallest, he uses his brute
strength to gain leverage and after his unique quickness to penetrate
into the backfield time after time. He also uses his heavy hands as
well as his motor to collapse the pocket. I see him coming off the
board as a day-two pick.
https://twitter.com/jimnagy_sb/status/1574774315245047810
5. DB Sione Vaki, Utah
When evaluating Sione Vaki, you immediately see him
popping off of the film, flying everywhere around the ball. If you
ever want a great defender, that is the first thing you want to see. His
motor gravitates you towards him, but then his skill starts to shine.
While not having the greatest size, he makes up for it with his
tenacity along with his IQ, which allows him to diagnose plays very
quickly. He is a sure tackler who’s always in control, and he can also
lock you up.
What really stood out to me was him getting meaningful snaps at
RB as well. That’s old-school football. The First Team All-Pac-12 and Second Team AP All-American would end the season
with 51 tackles (8.5 TFL, 2.0 Sacks) along with an interception and
two PBU’s. I have him going no later than round three, if not sooner.
He will be an immediate impact wherever he goes.
https://twitter.com/therealutahutes/status/1752392830566424647