The 2023 Senior Bowl week of practices are done and the National team had their best practice of the week. It also happened to be the day that the players were the most focused and played their best football.
Practice is a weird element, as it’s not the end all, be all for prospects but rather a good baseline for what they look like in a hyper competitive environment. This info is used to compare against their film to get a more complete picture.
After the final practice, here were eight players that stood out above the rest.
Bowling Green DL Karl Brooks
Having played almost exclusively at edge during his time at Bowling Green, Brooks is much better suited to play on the inside or a 5T in an auto front (think Michael Bennett or Everson Griffen).
Brooks was dominant on the day. He was using a variety of moves in the trenches, but the club rip was his most successful. He had done a lot to show he can play on the inside.
Purdue TE Payne Durham
The tight end group is not the most talented, especially when you consider how talented this tight end group is.
Durham was one of the more productive tight ends in this class and he made the catch of the day in team drills. Jake Haener threw a laser into tight double coverage and Durham exuded excellent tracking and body control to haul it in off-balance.
May I present to you the best play of the Senior Bowl so far:
A @BoilerFootball TE Payne Durham TD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/U37PN0nMV2
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 2, 2023
Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton
The defensive tackle class is looking deeper as we get through Senior Bowl week and Benton is a big reason for that. He was excellent throughout the week but had some reps again Michigan center Olusegun Oluwatimi that stole the show. He won those reps with violent hands and a lethal inside spin move. Benton could end up going top 50 and it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Michigan WR Ronnie Bell
Bell had a relatively disappointing career on a Wolverines team that could have been a much better passing unit. Once he got to Mobile, Bell showed he could be something.
His best play came from understanding situations. He muffed a punt in close quarters but sold getting hit with a gorgeous flop. The little things matter and he showed that on Thursday.
Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan
Coming in as a left tackle, Duncan struggled on Wednesday when he was put at right tackle. On Thursday, he looked more comfortable and played better on the right side.
What was really impressive was how good he recovered when getting blown off of his spot. Duncan resets his hands well and digs his feet into the ground to lock up the defender.
Fresno State QB Jake Haener
The quarterbacks this week haven’t been very good on an overall level. In fact, this might be the first year since 2015 that a quarterback from the Senior Bowl doesn’t go in the top 100.
The best quarterback of the week was Haener and it wasn’t even close. He was poised, precise and threw an accurate football with touch and zip. He isn’t likely to have any true upside as you would find with either Jaren Hall or Tyson Bagent, but nobody outside the top four quarterbacks will have a higher floor.
Troy C Jake Andrews
Center is a position that isn’t the deepest this year and it’s also one where the Vikings have a heavy need. Garrett Bradbury is set to be a free agent this year and the draft could be a spot to get one.
Andrews had a really good week in practice finished off by a great last day. He was stout and strong on the interior and displayed a good anchor. When he was knocked off the ball, he recovered well and stood up his opponent.
Northwestern RB Evan Hull
Running backs can have a really difficult time standing out but this group came in and did just that. The best from the National team was Northwestern’s Evan Hull.
The true engine behind the Wildcats’ success, Hull came into this week with a chip on his shoulder and it showed. His route running was superb and has super clean and quick feet. Hull did a great job showing out during practice and rose his draft stock.
